How travelers can contribute to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef

Veröffentlicht: 15. Juli 2022, 11:27 Uhr

Aktualisiert: 09. Juni 2025, 22:50 Uhr

Von: wom87

Our tips on how to contribute to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure of the earth,

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is a natural treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest reef system on earth and comprises 900 islands, 2,900 reefs with 400 coral species, 1,500 fish species and 4,000 molluscs! It is also threatened.

In 2016, experts found that around 35 % of the corals in the northern and central sections of the Great Barrier Reef are dead or dying. This frightening trend has several causes: climate change, poor water quality due to land-based drainage, coastal development, illegal fishing, damage caused by large storms and the spread of thorn-crown-seaester.

Increasing water temperatures burden corals because they are extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations. This leads to the coral bleach, a process in which the corals become white after they have driven out the symbiotic algae living in their tissue. The algae deliver up to 90 % of the energy of the coral. Bleached corals continue to live, but begin to starve after bleaching.

The forecast looks dark, which is why sustainable tourism is more important than ever. Here we share information about how to reduce the effects of your visit and contribute to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

1. Select eco-certified tour operator

Visiting the reef through responsible marine tourism companies is a good way to support the efforts to support protection. It is important to ensure that the provider of Ecotourism Australia is certified.

Ecotometism is ecologically sustainable tourism with the main focus on experiencing natural areas that promote understanding, appreciation and protection of the environment and culture. - Ecotourism Australia

If you opt for a provider certified by Ecotourism Australia, you can be sure that it is classified as sustainable by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GStC).

Alt = "Protection of the Great Barrier Reef Coral Expeditions"Atlas & BootsCoral expeditions are certified by Ecotourism Australia

We chose Coral Expeditions for a small expedition to the Great Barrier Reef. Certified operators such as Coral Expeditions deal with resources, contribute to environmental protection, help local communities and inform customers about the local environment and marine life.

Operators who claim to be certified should provide evidence of accreditation on their website (as here). If this cannot be found, be prepared to ask questions, e.g. B. What do you do to minimize your effects on the local ecosystem?

2. Use less plastic

One of the greatest threats to marine life is plastic. With over five trillion pieces, which are already assumed to pollute our oceans, the reduction of our plastic consumption - in particular disposable items such as bottles and straws - is essential for environmental protection.

It starts at home with reducing plastic consumption when shopping, eating or drinking in the morning. On vacation there are countless ways to travel environmentally friendly. Start by reading the growing number of plastic -free initiatives and following your promises to contribute to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

3. Take part in Citizen Scientist programs

There are a growing number of nature conservation foundations, charity organizations, national parks and environmentally friendly hotels that conduct citizen scientists in the Great Barrier Reef. These encourage travelers to actively contribute to the long -term protection of the reef.

Alt = "Interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef in Australia"Atlas & BootsCitizen Scientist programs encourage travelers to take on an active role in nature conservation

The Reef Citizen Science Alliance is a network of sustainable, cooperative and innovative citizen science programs based in the Great Barrier Reef. You can find a list of programs with which you work with.

Among them are Coralwatch and Eye on the Reef who rely on visitor to upload GPS-tagged pictures and videos of coral bleaching, stranded wild animals and other observations that help to support nature conservation programs in their research and work.

4. Voluntary work in a reef protection project

You can go one step further by volunteering in marine protection projects. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation has an extensive and growing list of organizations in which like -minded people volunteer for group activities or collect data in their free time and contribute to the point.

Some projects even include a diving course, which makes them an ideal way to help with the protection of the reef while picking up their certification.

5. Look, take pictures, but never touch

That should be a matter of course, but we have even experienced diving instructors in other countries who have broken this golden rule. Whether you swim, snorkel or dive, resist the urge to stretch your hand and touch what you see.

Corals consist of thousands of polyps - tiny animals that resemble anemones and jellyfish - which are incredibly sensitive. These can be killed by simply touching or swirling sediments that you can suffocate.

Alt = "Protect the coral garden of the Great Barrier Reef"Atlas & BootsCorals consist of thousands of polyps that are incredibly sensitive

When diving in reef systems, make sure to practice a neutral buoyancy and always pay attention to your fins to minimize the swirling of sediments.

6. Select a reef -proof sun protection

In 2015, a report estimated that around 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the coral reefs in the world and cause irreversible damage. This year, Hawaii was the first US state of sun protection to ban sunscreen that is harmful to coral reefs.

The draft law prohibits the sale of sunscreens that contain the chemicals Oxybenzon and Octinoxate, which scientists say that they contribute to the coral bleach. These chemicals can kill developing corals that reinforce coral bleach and cause genetic damage to corals and other sea creatures.

In the meantime there is a growing number of reef -proof sun protection brands that do without these harmful ingredients and thus contribute to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

7. Select sustainable seafood

You can contribute to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef by thinking a little more carefully about the type of seafood that you eat. Overfishing is a big problem in the world's oceans, especially in reef systems, so avoidance of seafood outside of the season is an opportunity to help.

It is worth reading Australia's guidelines for sustainable seafood to help you make a well -founded selection of seafood.

8. Or no ...

You could go one step further and stroke meat and fish entirely from your diet. A recently carried out study suggests that avoidance of meat and dairy products is the "biggest individual route" to reduce its environmental impact on the planet.

A vegan diet is probably the biggest way to reduce its effects on planet earth, not only greenhouse gases, but also global acidification, eutrophication, land use and water consumption. It is far larger than limiting your flights or buying an electric car. - Joseph Poore, University of Oxford, UK

9. Do not buy coral products

After all, the purchase of coral jewelry and other types of coral souvenirs only contributes to the decline in coral systems all over the world. Avoid these products to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

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