RESEARCH QUESTION:
“What are the negative impacts of tourism on the Great Barrier Reef and what conservation strategies/methods have been implemented to reduce these negative impacts?”
INTRODUCTION:
Stretching over 3000km along Australia’s eastern coastline, the Great Barrier is a national and global treasure which is classified as the world’s largest reef ecosystem. The Great Barrier Reef is a world heritage area, comprising the Great Barrier Reef Region in addition to Queensland internal waters and islands within its boundaries (see figure 1). The area is currently managed as a Commonwealth Marine Park by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority working in partnership with the Queensland Government and recognised as having outstanding …show more content…
While this assessment of the area remains current for most elements of commercial tourism use, there are some emerging areas and some not previously identified.
Reduced profitability across the industry has increased the potential risks associated with maintain tourism – related structures throughout the Region. As structures located around the marine park age, they require more investment in maintenance “to ensure they are not a threat to the surrounding environment” (Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report, 2014). These structures, along with coastal development, marinas and ancillary services associated with commercial marine tourism are also causing consequential impacts on the environment within the Region. Such impacts include large contributions to dredging and disposal of dredge material, clearing or modifying coastal habitats and decreased water quality. Tourism operations within the Great Barrier Reef Region are also affecting and displacing others who utilise the area, such as commercial fishers, traditional owners and recreational users. There have been recent examples of incompatibility between the activities of tourism operations and those of traditional owners, and there are recognised potential conflicts between sectors within the industry, such as charter fishers and site – based dive tourism
“What are the negative impacts of tourism on the Great Barrier Reef and what conservation strategies/methods have been implemented to reduce these negative impacts?”
INTRODUCTION:
Stretching over 3000km along Australia’s eastern coastline, the Great Barrier is a national and global treasure which is classified as the world’s largest reef ecosystem. The Great Barrier Reef is a world heritage area, comprising the Great Barrier Reef Region in addition to Queensland internal waters and islands within its boundaries (see figure 1). The area is currently managed as a Commonwealth Marine Park by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority working in partnership with the Queensland Government and recognised as having outstanding …show more content…
While this assessment of the area remains current for most elements of commercial tourism use, there are some emerging areas and some not previously identified.
Reduced profitability across the industry has increased the potential risks associated with maintain tourism – related structures throughout the Region. As structures located around the marine park age, they require more investment in maintenance “to ensure they are not a threat to the surrounding environment” (Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report, 2014). These structures, along with coastal development, marinas and ancillary services associated with commercial marine tourism are also causing consequential impacts on the environment within the Region. Such impacts include large contributions to dredging and disposal of dredge material, clearing or modifying coastal habitats and decreased water quality. Tourism operations within the Great Barrier Reef Region are also affecting and displacing others who utilise the area, such as commercial fishers, traditional owners and recreational users. There have been recent examples of incompatibility between the activities of tourism operations and those of traditional owners, and there are recognised potential conflicts between sectors within the industry, such as charter fishers and site – based dive tourism