Wednesday, July 3, 2013

CSIRO Researchers Want to Know What YOU Think About the Great Barrier Reef

CSIRO is enouraging people to contribute to their sum of understanding about where the Great Barrier Reef sits in people's minds and hearts. 

"Decision makers need as much information as possible to understand the role people will play in the future of the Great Barrier Reef."  Dr Nadine Marshall, CSIRO social scientist and project lead

The CSIRO blog here tells us::
"Amazing facts about the Great Barrier Reef:"
  • The reef runs for 2300km down the east coast of Australia – so big it can be seen from outer space
  • The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) listed the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Site in 1981
  • The Reef is home to the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1625 species of bony fish and 3000 types of mollusc
  • Within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (348,000 square kilometres) there are almost 3000 individual reefs of varying sizes and shapes, and over 900 islands
  • About ten thousand ships travel through the reef area every year
  • Commercial fishing is the fifth largest primary industry by value in Queensland, with a value of about $360 million each year
  • More than 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owner clan groups along the east coast of Queensland assert Native Title rights, interests and responsibilities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.*

To read the whole article click here

www.ausmepa.org.au

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