Great Barrier Reef fast facts

• The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, spanning over 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) along the northeast coast of Australia.
• The reef is made up of more than 2,900 individual coral reefs and 900 islands, covering an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers (133,000 square miles).
• The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 600 species of hard and soft corals, and thousands of other marine creatures, including dugongs, whales, sea turtles, and sharks.
• The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is recognized as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
• The Great Barrier Reef is estimated to be between 6,000 and 8,000 years old, making it a relatively young ecosystem in geological terms.
• The Great Barrier Reef is not just a natural wonder but also an economic one, generating more than $6 billion annually in tourism revenue for Australia and supporting over 64,000 jobs.
• The Great Barrier Reef is under threat from climate change, including rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification, as well as pollution, overfishing, and other human activities.
• Coral bleaching is a major threat to the Great Barrier Reef, with mass bleaching events occurring in 1998, 2002, 2016, 2020 and 2022, causing significant damage to the reef's ecosystem.
• Despite the threats facing the Great Barrier Reef, there are conservation efforts underway, including measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable tourism, and restore damaged areas of the reef.
• Visitors to the Great Barrier Reef can experience the beauty and diversity of the reef through activities such as snorkeling, diving, and boat tours, but it's important to do so in a responsible and sustainable way to minimize negative impacts on the ecosystem.
• Click here for more Reef facts 

The Reef Authority 

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, also known as the Reef Authority, is the Australian government agency responsible for the management and protection of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. 

Our primary role is to ensure the long-term protection and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

To achieve this, the Reef Authority works with a range of stakeholders, including scientists, traditional owners, industries, and the public, to develop and implement policies and programs that help to sustain the Reef's ecological, cultural, and economic values.

• Some of our key responsibilities include:
• Developing and implementing management plans for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
• Conducting research and monitoring programs to understand the health of the Reef and identify areas of concern.
• Regulating activities in the Marine Park to ensure they are consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
• Providing advice and education to stakeholders on how to protect and conserve the Reef.
• Working with traditional owners to manage the cultural heritage values of the Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority plays a crucial role in the protection and conservation of one of the world's most important and valuable ecosystems.

By working collaboratively with our stakeholders, the Reef Authority aims to ensure the Great Barrier Reef is protected for future generations.

Reef Authority Fast facts

• The Reef Authority is the agency responsible for managing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
• The Reef Authority was established in 1975 and is headquartered in Townsville, Australia.
• The Marine Park covers an area of approximately 344,000 square kilometers (133,000 square miles).
• The Reef Authority works in partnership with traditional owners of the land and sea to manage the Great Barrier Reef.
• The Reef Authority regulates and manages the use of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, including fishing, tourism, and shipping.
• The Reef Authority conducts research and monitoring to assess the health of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem and to identify and address threats to its survival.
• The Reef Authority’s Great Barrier Reef Aquarium in Townsville is currently undergoing a major redevelopment.  The Aquarium serves as both a research and education centre.
• The Reef Authority has a Climate Change Action Plan in place to address the impacts of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef.
• The Reef Authority employs around 220 staff members, including marine scientists, on-water compliance officers, education professionals, and administrative staff.
• The Reef Authority works with a wide range of stakeholders, including industry, government, traditional owners, scientists, and community groups to protect the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

• Handy links for media:
• Filming and photography on the Reef
• Accessing the Reef – zoning, permits, locations and more 
• Find out more about our world-leading programs 
• Publications, reports, maps and more
• Find a High Standard Tourism Operator
• Visiting the Reef
• Coral bleaching 101
• Managing a World Heritage icon
• View the latest news

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Story pitches

• Looking for some great story ideas to get you out on the Great Barrier Reef?  We can help:
• The best ways to explore the Great Barrier Reef: see the Reef with High Standard Tourism Operators, including scuba diving, snorkeling, and guided tours.  Where to go, what to do and most importantly how to make sure your visit is sustainable and helps protect the Reef for the future.
• The ancient heart of the Great Barrier Reef: meet the Traditional Owners of Reef Land and Sea country, learn about the cultural significance of the Great Barrier Reef to First Nations people, and discover more about their history and their traditions.
• The best-of-the-best on the Reef: meet the highly trained and skilled Master Reef Guides who bring their passion, skills, storytelling, and expertise to enhance your experience visiting the Great Barrier Reef and help you understand what you can do to help protect this natural wonder.
• Under pressure: the Reef is facing increasing pressures from climate change, poor fishing practices and the human impacts on water quality.  We look at what is being done to ease the pressure to boost Reef resilience.
• Supporting a resilient Reef: the local and global actions that we can all be doing to help build Reef resilience in the face of climate change, both now and into the future.
• In hot water: the impacts of increasing global temperatures on the Great Barrier Reef and what can be done to take the pressure off.
• Clone wars: how the Reef Authority is leading the charge in the battle against the ultimate coral killing machine, the crown-of-thorns starfish.  What is being done and how tourism industry is helping.
• Understanding coral bleaching: the what’s, why’s and how’s of bleaching, and the impacts of climate stress on the Reef.
• Go below: meet and understand the diverse range of marine life that can be found in the Great Barrier Reef, including sea turtles, sharks, and colorful fish.  Our experts tell their stories of the wonderful world under the sea.
• Protecting the Reef now and into the future: what Reef tourists can do to help protect this natural wonder. The Great Barrier Reef draws in millions of tourists every year, and that's where sustainable tourism comes in.  Our experts explain responsible Reef practices, and how visiting the Reef with our accredited High Standard Tourism Operators can help this stunning natural wonder remains intact for generations to come.

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