1. 1.1 The Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is an Australian icon and one of the most precious ecosystems on Earth. Stretching more than 2300 kilometres the Queensland coast and covering an area of 348,000 square kilometres, it contains a maze of some 3000 reefs, 1050 islands and other habitats that support a unique and diverse array of species. The Great Barrier Reef is a place of great significance to its Traditional Owners, the first nation peoples of the area. They maintain a unique and continuing connection to the Reef and adjacent coastal areas. This connection to their land and sea country has sustained Traditional Owners for millennia—spiritually, culturally, socially and economically. The Great Barrier Reef is strongly valued by the national and international community and is critical to the cultural, economic and social wellbeing of the more than one million people who live in its catchment and to Australians more generally. Generations have marveled at its wonders and it is seen as quintessentially Australian. The outstanding environment of the Barrier Reef, combined with people’s connection to it, means there is a united drive for it to be protected and maintained for generations to come. 1.2 Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981 in recognition of its Outstanding Universal Value. The extent of the Heritage Area is shown in Figure 1. A summary of the differences between its boundaries and those of the Great Barrier Reef Region and Marine Park is provided in Appendix A. For simplicity, throughout the Plan, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is referred to as World Heritage Area’. ‘the The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed for all four of the natural criteria specified in the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural And Natural Heritage3 (World Heritage Convention). In summary, these criteria are: superlative natural beauty outstanding geological, geomorphic or physiographic features outstanding examples of ecological and biological processes the most important and significant natural habitats for biological diversity. Figure 1: Map of the Great Barrier Reef and catchment. The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area includes all waters seaward of the low water mark, including those around 12 trading ports, and about 1050 islands. The Statement of Outstanding Universal Value4 for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area adopted by the
1. 1.1 The Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is an Australian icon and one of the most precious ecosystems on Earth. Stretching more than 2300 kilometres the Queensland coast and covering an area of 348,000 square kilometres, it contains a maze of some 3000 reefs, 1050 islands and other habitats that support a unique and diverse array of species. The Great Barrier Reef is a place of great significance to its Traditional Owners, the first nation peoples of the area. They maintain a unique and continuing connection to the Reef and adjacent coastal areas. This connection to their land and sea country has sustained Traditional Owners for millennia—spiritually, culturally, socially and economically. The Great Barrier Reef is strongly valued by the national and international community and is critical to the cultural, economic and social wellbeing of the more than one million people who live in its catchment and to Australians more generally. Generations have marveled at its wonders and it is seen as quintessentially Australian. The outstanding environment of the Barrier Reef, combined with people’s connection to it, means there is a united drive for it to be protected and maintained for generations to come. 1.2 Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981 in recognition of its Outstanding Universal Value. The extent of the Heritage Area is shown in Figure 1. A summary of the differences between its boundaries and those of the Great Barrier Reef Region and Marine Park is provided in Appendix A. For simplicity, throughout the Plan, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is referred to as ‘the World Heritage Area’. The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed for all four of the natural criteria specified in the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural And Natural Heritage3 (World Heritage Convention). In summary, these criteria are: superlative natural beauty outstanding geological, geomorphic or physiographic features outstanding examples of ecological and biological processes the most important and significant natural habitats for biological diversity. Figure 1: Map of the Great Barrier Reef and catchment. The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area includes all waters seaward of the low water mark, including those around 12 trading ports, and about 1050 islands. The Statement of Outstanding Universal Value4 for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area adopted by the