Australia is taking strong action to support a resilient Great Barrier Reef.
The Reef is one of the world's most complex ecosystems. It is facing significant pressures.
Collaboration, innovation and targeted investment is helping build the Reef's resilience. It is supporting its long-term health.
Australia’s actions are focused on:
managing key threats
supporting world-leading Reef management
improving water quality
helping the Reef restore and adapt to climate change
supporting partnerships and stewardship.
The World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef is one of the most complex natural ecosystems on earth.
The reef is the biggest living structure on the planet, roughly the size of Italy or Japan, an area so large that it can be seen from space. Across its vast expanse are 35 catchments connecting a network of 3000 coral reefs, shallow seagrass, estuaries, inshore mangroves and deep oceanic waters.
The reef is home to thousands of species of marine life, including 1200 species of coral, 1500 species of fish, six of the world's seven species of marine turtle whales, dolphins, plus a great diversity of sponges, anemones, marine worms and crustaceans.
Its islands, beaches and coastal areas provide important habitats for approximately 80% of Australia's shorebird species. No other World Heritage property contains such biodiversity.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the traditional owners of the Great Barrier Reef area, with continuing connections to the land and sea Country dating back more than 60,000 years.
An international icon and Australia's most acclaimed natural asset, the Reef and its catchment area attracts millions of visitors every year and it is an important part of the social and economic fabric of numerous communities living in the region.
The reef is under pressure from a range of threats, including climate change, poor water quality and crown of thorns starfish outbreaks. But there is hope to ensure that one of Australia's national treasures is protected for future generations.
The Australian Government is taking increased action on climate change and funding initiatives to build the reef's long-term resilience. This is helping to deliver targets outlined in the Reef 2050 Plan, which is Australia's framework for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef.
Through our investments in the Reef we are improving the quality of water flowing to the reef, supporting world leading reef management, accelerating the development of restoration and adaptation measures to help the reef adapt to climate change and empowering people to care for the reef through strong partnerships and collaboration.
Australia's approach to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef is underpinned by the collaboration with Reef Partners utilizing the latest marine science, Traditional owner First Nations people knowledge and the expertise of local community partners. Through this, we are committed to ensuring the Great Barrier Reef remains a living, natural and cultural wonder of the world.
