Preserving The Great Barrier Reef

One of the most popular destinations that many Australia travel visa holders would want to visit is the Great Barrier Reef. This natural wonder has so many interesting things to offer that tourists will surely love. Thus, it is not surprising that many would often have this on top of their lists when they vacation in the country.

However, in spite of it being a seemingly an eternal paradise, the Great Barrier Reef Is, in fact, in danger of being lost forever. There are many threats that are affecting not only the reef itself, but also all of the creatures that depend heavily on its existence. Thus, everyone is encouraged in protecting this Australian treasure.

One of the biggest threats that trouble the Great Barrier Reef ironically comes from the tourists themselves. As the tourism business continues to grow in the areas covered by the reef, more and more people come in to visit the place yearly. Eventually, they bring in all sorts of things that can destroy the reef, including pollutants. The activities that many tourists do in the area can also cause damage to the reefs.

Aside from tourism, other human activities can also affect the reef's quality. Considering that the reef is within the boundaries of some of the country's major cities, the effect of human activities are even greater here. Overfishing is another major problem that the Australian government has to contend with in protecting the reef. Since the reef is also within the major shipping routes, this is also another threat. It is not uncommon to encounter incidents of ships accidentally beaching on the reefs, or worse, spilling oil in the water.

The Australian government has taken many drastic measures in order to protect the Great Barrier Reef. One of the things that they have called upon is sustainable management. Here, establishments within the area are required to come up with solutions that not only will benefit their businesses, but will also help in preserving the reef. Another program that has been vigorously encouraged by the government is that of eco-tourism. In eco-tourism, tourists are still very much encouraged to explore the reef's wonders, not only for leisurely purposes, but more so to gain a better awareness on the environmental issues that greatly affect the area, as well as participation in conservation efforts.

Tourists themselves, can play a big part in saving the Great Barrier Reef. One can start by simply following the rules on travel here. Though this one might indeed be small, it will nevertheless contribute greatly on the effort. Also, they are encouraged to participate in the many conservation organizations the are helping preserve the reef. 

Image Sources:
http://cdn.wn.com/ph/img/6e/ec/359b30244939ef3d3dd16b22307e-grande.jpg
http://www.concierge.com/images/ideas/endangered_places/ideas_endangeredplaces_008p.jpg
http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200710/r189329_709751.jpg