 visible from space technological advances make these ↔ GBR images more accessible. Reefal structures remain intact. Recent A complex string of reefal estimates vastly increase the extent of  ↔ structures along Australia’s GBR coral with the identification of more north-east coast deepwater reefs. Unparalleled aerial panorama Aerial vistas remain spectacular, with  ↔ of seascapes comprising GBR scenic flights a popular tourism activity. diverse shapes and sizes Whitsunday Islands provide a The majority of the Whitsunday Islands magnificent vista of green are protected and managed as national  ↔ vegetated islands and white GBR parks. There have been some changes to sandy beaches spread over island scenery, such as on resort islands. azure waters Vast mangrove forests in All of Hinchinbrook Island is protected Hinchinbrook Channel, or the and managed as a national park. Patches  ↔ GBR rugged vegetated mountains of mangrove forests and rainforest were and lush rainforest gullies affected by cyclone Yasi. On many of the cays there There have been serious declines in some are spectacular and globally  ↓ populations of seabirds and some marine GBR important breeding colonies turtle species. of seabirds and marine turtles Long-term data indicates that, since the Raine Island is the world’s mid-1970s, green turtle nesting on Raine  ↓ largest green turtle breeding Island has increased and then plateaued GBR area over the past two decades. It is thought to have declined recently. Beneath the ocean surface, Since 1986, average hard coral cover is there is an abundance and estimated to have declined from 28 to diversity of shapes, sizes and 13.8 per cent, principally in the southern  ↓ GBR colours... Spectacular coral two-thirds of the Region. This is mainly
visible from space technological advances make these images more accessible. GBR ↔  A complex string of reefal structures along Australia’s north-east coast Reefal structures remain intact. Recent estimates vastly increase the extent of coral with the identification of more deepwater reefs. GBR ↔  Unparalleled aerial panorama of seascapes comprising diverse shapes and sizes Aerial vistas remain spectacular, with scenic flights a popular tourism activity. GBR ↔  Whitsunday Islands provide a magnificent vista of green vegetated islands and white sandy beaches spread over azure waters The majority of the Whitsunday Islands are protected and managed as national parks. There have been some changes to island scenery, such as on resort islands. GBR ↔  Vast mangrove forests in Hinchinbrook Channel, or the rugged vegetated mountains and lush rainforest gullies All of Hinchinbrook Island is protected and managed as a national park. Patches of mangrove forests and rainforest were affected by cyclone Yasi. GBR ↔  On many of the cays there are spectacular and globally important breeding colonies of seabirds and marine turtles There have been serious declines in some populations of seabirds and some marine turtle species. GBR ↓  Raine Island is the world’s largest green turtle breeding area Long-term data indicates that, since the mid-1970s, green turtle nesting on Raine Island has increased and then plateaued over the past two decades. It is thought to have declined recently. GBR ↓  Beneath the ocean surface, there is an abundance and diversity of shapes, sizes and colours... Spectacular coral Since 1986, average hard coral cover is estimated to have declined from 28 to 13.8 per cent, principally in the southern two-thirds of the Region. This is mainly GBR ↓ 
gbr-state-party-report-2015.docx