20 November 200820 November 2008 Mandy WildMandy Wild 2

Total Visitor by YearTotal Visitor by Year

135000140000145000150000155000160000165000170000175000180000

Total

2001

2002

2003

2004

Year to date

20 November 200820 November 2008 Mandy WildMandy Wild 3

STATISTICSSTATISTICS

Longest coral reef in the worldLongest coral reef in the worldApproximately 2000 km long Approximately 2000 km long Consists of over 3000 reefsConsists of over 3000 reefsHome to 1500 species of fishHome to 1500 species of fishContains 400 types of hard and soft coralContains 400 types of hard and soft coral200 species of bird life200 species of bird life

20 November 200820 November 2008 Mandy WildMandy Wild 4

Why is the Reef important?Why is the Reef important?

Protective habitat for marine lifeProtective habitat for marine lifeProtects inner Australian shorelineProtects inner Australian shoreline

Outer edge received full force of wavesOuter edge received full force of wavesProvides a nursery for fish and marine lifeProvides a nursery for fish and marine lifeReef Organisms offer medical treatmentsReef Organisms offer medical treatments

Possible bone replacementPossible bone replacement Treatments for cancer and AIDSTreatments for cancer and AIDS

20 November 200820 November 2008 Mandy WildMandy Wild 5

Primary tourism users are:Primary tourism users are:

Dive operatorsDive operators Island resortsIsland resortsCruise shipsCruise shipsCharter vesselsCharter vesselsScenic flightsScenic flights

20 November 200820 November 2008 Mandy WildMandy Wild 6

THREATSTHREATS

Global warmingGlobal warming Coral bleachingCoral bleaching Increase in tropical storms (damage coral)Increase in tropical storms (damage coral)

Crown-of-Thorns starfishCrown-of-Thorns starfish Natural predators of coralNatural predators of coral

Sediment and chemical runoffSediment and chemical runoff Affects water qualityAffects water quality

Coral diseaseCoral disease