The Great Barrier Reef

Basic Facts Located off Northeastern Australia Located off Northeastern Australia 1,240 miles long 1,240 miles long More than 2,800 reefs More than 2,800 reefs 1,500 species of fish 1,500 species of fish 359 types of hard coral 359 types of hard coral 33% of the world's soft corals 33% of the world's soft corals 175 bird species 175 bird species 6 of the 7 species of threatened marine turtles 6 of the 7 species of threatened marine turtles More than 30 species of marine mammals including vulnerable dugongs More than 30 species of marine mammals including vulnerable dugongs Only living thing on earth visible from space! Only living thing on earth visible from space! 2 million visitors each year. 2 million visitors each year. Dugong (Sea Cow) Green turtle hatchling. Photo: Mark Hallam

Reef Tourism Marine tourism industry is a major Marine tourism industry is a major contributor to the local and Australian economy generating over $4.228 billion per year in 2003 Possible Vacation Activities: Possible Vacation Activities: –Day tours –Overnight and extended tours –Snorkeling –Scuba diving and fishing charters –Long range roving tours –Aircraft or helicopter tours –Bare boats (self-sail) –Glass-bottomed boat viewing –Educational trips –Cruise ships –Beach hire and water sports –Passenger ferries –Whale watching and swimming with dolphins.

Dangers to the Reef Global warming Global warming Human activity Human activity –Runoff from mining and farming that goes into the ocean –Petroleum leaks –Fertilizers from land near GBR –Overfishing

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