Confidence in condition and trend Adequate Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Limited Limited evidence or limited consensus Inferred Inferred, very limited evidence Impacts of use on the Region’s values Outlook Report 2009: Assessment summary The impacts of different uses of the Great Barrier Reef overlap and are concentrated inshore and next to developed areas. There are some concerns about localised impacts and effects on some species. In particular, species of conservation concern such as dugongs, some bony fish, sharks, seabirds and marine turtles are at risk, especially as a result of fishing, disturbance from increasing use of coastal habitats, illegal fishing, poaching and traditional use of marine resources. There is evidence that fishing is also significantly affecting the populations of some targeted species. The survival success of non-retained species is not well understood, nor are the ecosystem effects of fishing. 2014 Confidence 2009 Impacts Assessment Summary Impacts and trend Impacts Trend component since 2009 Marine tourism extends throughout the Great Very low Commercial marine Very low Barrier Reef; its impacts are localised, mainly in a impact, Adequate Adequate tourism impact few intensively managed areas. Stable Most defence activities occur within a limited Very low Very low Defence activities area. The level of planning and resourcing for impact, Adequate Adequate impact defence activities means incidents are rare. Stable Fishing occurs in many parts of the Region, extracting mostly predators and particle feeders. It can result in the entanglement and death of species of conservation concern, reductions of targeted species with implications on the food High High Fishing chain, and impact on Indigenous heritage values. impact, Limited Limited impact The status of most targeted species and Stable estimates of discarded catch are not well known. Fisheries management continues to improve; more can be done. Illegal fishing remains a concern. Port activities have local adverse impacts, including from dredging and dredge material Not High Not Ports disposal. Understanding of the effects of Limited assessed impact assessed dredging and disposal is improving; the cumulative effects are not well understood. The impacts of recreation are mainly localised in Low Recreation (not Low inshore areas, particularly close to regional impact, Limited Limited including fishing) impact centres. Stable Research and Research and educational activities are Very low Very low educational concentrated around research stations; minor, impact, Limited Limited impact activities localised effects are likely. Stable
Confidence in condition and trend Adequate Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Limited Limited evidence or limited consensus Inferred Inferred, very limited evidence Impacts of use on the Region’s values Outlook Report 2009: Assessment summary The impacts of different uses of the Great Barrier Reef overlap and are concentrated inshore and next to developed areas. There are some concerns about localised impacts and effects on some species. In particular, species of conservation concern such as dugongs, some bony fish, sharks, seabirds and marine turtles are at risk, especially as a result of fishing, disturbance from increasing use of coastal habitats, illegal fishing, poaching and traditional use of marine resources. There is evidence that fishing is also significantly affecting the populations of some targeted species. The survival success of non-retained species is not well understood, nor are the ecosystem effects of fishing. Assessment component Summary 2009 Impacts 2014 Impacts and trend since 2009 Confidence Impacts Trend Commercial marine tourism Marine tourism extends throughout the Great Barrier Reef; its impacts are localised, mainly in a few intensively managed areas. Very low impact Very low impact, Stable Adequate Adequate Defence activities Most defence activities occur within a limited area. The level of planning and resourcing for defence activities means incidents are rare. Very low impact Very low impact, Stable Adequate Adequate Fishing Fishing occurs in many parts of the Region, extracting mostly predators and particle feeders. It can result in the entanglement and death of species of conservation concern, reductions of targeted species with implications on the food chain, and impact on Indigenous heritage values. The status of most targeted species and estimates of discarded catch are not well known. Fisheries management continues to improve; more can be done. Illegal fishing remains a concern. High impact High impact, Stable Limited Limited Ports Port activities have local adverse impacts, including from dredging and dredge material disposal. Understanding of the effects of dredging and disposal is improving; the cumulative effects are not well understood. Not assessed High impact Limited Not assessed Recreation (not including fishing) The impacts of recreation are mainly localised in inshore areas, particularly close to regional centres. Low impact Low impact, Stable Limited Limited Research and educational activities Research and educational activities are concentrated around research stations; minor, localised effects are likely. Very low impact Very low impact, Stable Limited Limited
GBR_Outlook_2014_Chapter5_Commercial_and_non_commercial_use.docx