Water in Australia Defining Moments

Learning module:

Investigation 1: Water in Australia

1.6 Protecting an Australian icon — Great Barrier Reef

<p>Coral outcrop on Flynn Reef, off the coast of Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef</p>

Toby Hudson. Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-3.0

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. In 1975 the Australian Government made it a marine park.

What was so special about this place? What was happening to the reef? And why did the government take this action?

Read the Defining Moment in Australian history 1975 ‘An irreplaceable part of Australia’s natural heritage’ — Great Barrier Reef Marine Park created and answer the following questions.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park has been divided into a number of different zones of activity — see the map and a section of the zoning activities guide below.

<p>Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning map, 2003</p>

Commonwealth ofAustralia (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)

	General Use Zone	Habitat Protection Zone	Scientific Research Zone	Marine National Park Zone	Preservation Zone
Aquaculture	Permit	Permit	X	X	X
Bait netting, crabbing, line fishing, snorkel spearfishing	√	√	X	X	X
Boating, diving and photography	√	√	√	√	X
Harvest fishing for aquarium fish, coral and beachworm	Permit	Permit	X	X	X
Scientific research	Permit	Permit	Permit	Permit	Permit
Shipping	√	Permit	Permit	Permit	X
Tourism	Permit	Permit	Permit	Permit	X
Traditional use of marine resources	√	√	√	√	X
Commercial fishing	√	X	X	X	X

7. Using the map and the zoning activities guide, work out whether each of these statements is true or false.

8. What do you think the purpose of the zoning system is in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park?

9. Do you think the zoning system is a good way to manage the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park? What might be the strengths and weaknesses of this system?

14. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is a large body of water. What have you learned about the different values, attitudes and approaches that people can have towards such a large area of water?

Conclusion

15. What do you think are the main benefits of making a marine park for the Great Barrier Reef? Do you see any drawbacks?

16. What do you think might be the main challenges for the park in the future?

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