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ECO INFORMATION
The Great Barrier Reef (and neighbouring Coral Sea) is known to have the greatest collection of coral reefs on earth and visitors come from all parts of the world to experience the wonder of its waters, islands, corals, fish and birds. Spirit of Freedom and Tusa Dive are even more privileged as the Great Barrier Reef is our home, our neighbouring environment and our place of work & recreation.
Spirit of Freedom and Tusa Dive are committed to providing a service that reflects our responsibility to contribute to the protection of our environment and to pass on this rich heritage to future generations.
The Great Barrier Reef is in much better shape than most other reef systems of the world. Climate change is beginning to affect the Great Barrier Reef, as are other human aspects such as nutrient-run off and loss of fish populations. However, Australia has a wealth of knowledge and skilled personnel working with and for the reef. The Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies is based at Townsville’s James Cook University (JCU). It includes researchers and support from JCU, the University of Queensland, the Australian National University, the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).
As an Advanced Ecotourism Operator, Spirit of Freedom and Tusa Dive strive to provide a quality educational experience. We do this by endeavoring to provide a wealth of information to visitors of the reef, and in being committed to contributing to marine flora and fauna data collection, active involvement in scientific research and operating at a ‘best practice’ level.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was declared in 1975. It was listed as
a World Heritage Area in 1981 for its natural significance. The Great Barrier
Reef is listed under all four natural World Heritage criteria for its outstanding
universal value. It is one of the largest marine protected area in the world
encompassing 348,000 square kilometres, which is an area larger than Great
Britain or about half the size of Texas. Under the World Heritage Convention
Australia has an international obligation to protect, conserve, present and
transmit this magnificent area for all future generations.
For the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) to effectively
manage such a huge and diverse area it has been divided into four sections.
• The Far Northern section (85,700 square kilometres.)
• The Cairns section (37,000 square kilometres)
• The Central section (76,930 square kilometres)
• The Mackay/Capricorn section (144,770 square kilometres)
Each of these sections have zones which dictate what activities may be conducted
in that area. On Spirit of Freedom and Tusa Dive we visit Green Zones, which
are protected areas and are ‘No Take’ zones. Green Zones protect
the biodiversity of these areas by protecting important breeding and nursery
areas such as seagrass beds, mangrove communities, deepwater shoals and reefs.
INTERESTING FACTS ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest natural feature on earth stretching more than 2300 km from the northern tip of Queensland to just north of Bundaberg. It is in fact a collection of about 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands or cays.
The Great Barrier Reef is a complex ecosystem, rich in biodiversity and
provides habitats for a wide variety of plants and animals. It is home to
approximately:
• 1500 species of fish
• 360 species of hard corals
• One third of the worlds’ soft corals
• 4000 species of molluscs (e.g shells)
• 1500 species of sponge
• 800 species of echinoderms (starfish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins etc)
• 30 species of marine mammals (whales, dolphins, dugong etc)
• Six of the worlds seven species of marine turtles
The goal of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is to provide for the protection, wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef in perpetuity through the care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
WHAT CAN VISITORS DO TO HELP PROTECT THE REEF?
When you are diving or snorkelling we encourage you to adopt the following practices:
• Move slowly and deliberately in the water, relax and take your time – avoid
rapid changes in direction.
• Avoid making sudden or loud noises underwater.
• Avoid leaning on, holding onto, or touching any part of the reef.
• Photographers – please do not hold onto or touch the reef.
• Avoid touching the walls of semi-confined areas (for example, small
swim throughs or overhangs) – never squeeze through a small area.
• Avoid kicking up and disturbing the sand, if you’re over a sandy
area.
• Avoid touching any animals or plants.
• Avoid feeding fish.
• Stay more than one metre away from giant clams.
• Keep clear of free-swimming animals (such as turtles, whales, and sea
snakes). In particular, you must not chase, ride, grab or block the path of
these animals.
• Do not wear gloves as you are more likely to touch the coral.
• Do not collect any shells, coral or ‘souvenirs’, whether
they are dead or alive.
• Avoid relocating any marine life - particularly when taking photos and
filming.
• Collect all litter from the Reef, even that which isn’t yours.
Marine Parks Legal Requirements
• You must not damage, collect or otherwise ‘take’ coral,
including dead coral, and protected shell species (e.g. triton snail, giant
clam) in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park unless you have a Marine Parks
permit.
• Note: ‘Take’ includes removing, gathering, killing or interfering
with, or attempting to take. There may be special arrangements for Traditional
Owners.
• You must not approach closer than 30 metres to a whale or dolphin if
you are in the water. If a whale or dolphin approaches you while you are in
the water, move slowly away, do not touch or swim towards it.
Tourists visiting the Reef contribute to its management by paying the Environmental Management Charge. Currently this charge is $4.50 per person per day, with a maximum charge of $13.50 for multiple days in the Marine Park. In 2003–04, over $7 million in EMC was collected and paid to management, education and research in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
References
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 2000, Tourism Operator’s Handbook for the Great Barrier Reef, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville.
