The Great Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef is huge, approx. the size of e.g. Italy, and incredibly important to all of us.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef. In fact, it consists of no less than over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands that extend over 2300 km and approx. 344,000 km2.
What are Coral Polyps?
It is amazing that this huge ecosystem is created by small living organisms, the so-called coral polyps. A coral is an animal and not a plant that many believe.
They are amazingly complicated small animals that live in close and necessary symbiosis with algae and in some cases with fish and crabs. They not only live in marine areas with plenty of nutrients. They are accurate and can handle the most barren places in the sea. They consist of more than 2000 species and all are deeply specialized.
Great Barrier Reef, Tropical Fish, and Coral Reef. Ecosystem
Great Barrier Reef in recovery?
At the end of 2016, a report came from Australia, which reported moderately optimistic that the unique reef is in some improvement. But much more needs to be done, and local and global pollution is the biggest enemy.
Fortunately, the Great Barrier Reef has shown greater resilience than one would hope for, and there is a plan. That for sure is a consolation. It came in 2015 and is called Reef 2050 Plan with no less than 151 focus areas, many of which must be implemented by 2020. You can see the new initiative in that light. Nothing should remain untested.
Great Barrier Reef is waiting for your efforts: Save me please
In 2018 you could have become a millionaire helping to secure the future of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a win-win situation if you joined and succeeded, you have to say. In January 2018, according to news.com.au, the Australian government pledged an amount of $ 2 mill. Australian dollars for breakthroughs in securing the future of the unique reef.
Reports of bleaching damages to the huge reef coral and that starfish has begun to eat the coral are pouring in. This is adding to the intensification of many other threats from primarily climate change towards a higher world temperature, so this tool of inviting the public is being used. The government itself spends billions on securing the future of the Great Barrier Reef, but the tourist revenue is many times larger, so the gigantic area is also a tourist revenue of dimensions. So in a way, the calculation itself is an incentive to do something in a situation, where pessimists say that only an overall effort against climate change can make a positive difference. For where there is revenue, there is advice, literally. And the almost incomprehensible number of reefs is still there, and many go on a diving holiday or sailing holiday to see this unique part of Australia by yourself.
Great Barrier Reef from the air, bigger than Italy!
The Great Barrier Reef is a journey for life
Concluding for us as travelers and tourists, maybe as divers, and as nature lovers, it is time to see, how the world community can contribute, and it calls for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef in a responsible and eco-friendly manner.
Australia, of course, also has a national interest in not becoming the climate class black sheep, and also not losing the status of the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Site, so go now, enjoy the great place while it is there and hopefully forever.
Facts about the Great Barrier Reef
The reef consists of over 2,900 individual reefs
It is 344,000 km2 big
The reefs cover more than 900 islands
The huge reef can be seen from space
The reefs are larger than England, Holland, and Switzerland together or 1/2 of Texas or more than Italy
Much more diving travel inspiration
- Read about the Great Great Barrier Reef on the official website
- Read more about other coral reefs in the world here like Cozumel
- Australia, a huge travel experience, but give yourself plenty of time
Wouldn’t you just love to go to Queensland in Australia?
Go to Australia
