The Great Barrier Reef

About the Great Barrier Reef:

• The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s natural wonders and is the largest coral reef on Earth.
• Spanning 2,300km along the Queensland coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef’s 3,000 coral reef systems contain a huge diversity of marine plants and animals, such as sea turtles, reef fish, sharks, hard and soft corals and migrating whales.
• It was placed on the World Heritage List in 1981 in recognition of its superb natural beauty and biological diversity.
• It was recognised in 1975 by the creation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act (GBRMPA) that was brought in later provides the framework for managing the reef as a large ecosystem.

Source : The Hindu