The Great Barrier Reef has been drawing millions of tourists every year to Australia and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The area is home to more than 1,500 fish species, 600 islands, and 2,900 coral reefs.
But the 1,800-mile-long stretch along the east coast of Queensland is under threat.
Over the past three decades, the reef has lost fifty per cent of its coral cover.
Other threats include coral bleaching from pollution and erosion due to increasing coastal development.
Coral bleaching is when the bright colours of corals are caused by algae fading due to higher water temperature which eventually turns the algae white.
Although corals can recover from bleaching, they become more prone to diseases after eight weeks or longer of exposure to warmer water, which ultimately results in their death.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, established in 1975, extends from Queensland’s northernmost point to a point slightly north of Bundaberg.
The marine park ranges from 60 to 250 kilometres in width with inshore waters averaging 35 metres in depth. Meanwhile, the outer reefs sit on continental slopes that descend to depths of more than 2,000 metres.
The city of Cairns is the closest point on the Australian mainland to reach the reef for visitors.
Further towards the coast, tourists can find Airlie Beach, and the only section of the reef that has yet to show the impact of coral bleaching.
There are many activities available to visitors to the Great Barrier Reef, such as whale watching, snorkelling and scuba diving.
Those able to splash out also have the option of helicopter or aeroplane tours or taking out a semi-submersible.
