Protecting our Great Barrier Reef

First Nations communities

Traditional Owner connections with the Great Barrier Reef extend over 60,000 years while the Reef, as we know it today, formed 10,000 years ago. Traditional Owners are part of the Reef’s evolution and it is a fundamental part of their culture. More than 70 Traditional Owner groups—from the Torres Strait Islands to Bundaberg—have enduring connections to the Reef’s sea Country.

Learn more about the history and involvement of Traditional Owners in protecting the Reef.

• Traditional Owner Implementation Plan
  The Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Implementation Plan, developed by Traditional Owners, sets out their priorities for the Reef and how to go about achieving them.
• Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers
  Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers use traditional knowledge and specialised training to care for their land and sea Country, connect their communities and engage young people.
• Path to Treaty
  The Queensland Government is committed to working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders through the Path to Treaty.
• First Nations World Heritage Strategy
  Queensland’s First Nations World Heritage Strategy explains how we will empower First Nations peoples to better protect and present World Heritage areas, including the Great Barrier Reef.
• First Nations peoples
  The Australian Government funds First Nations peoples to restore coastal ecosystems and protect species with more than 100 projects on land and sea Country.
• Australian Government’s Reef Trust Partnership
  The Australian Government’s Reef Trust Partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation directly involves Traditional Owners in protecting the Reef.

Who’s involved

To protect the Great Barrier Reef, we work with Traditional Owners, landholders, local communities, conservation groups and research organisations, as well as councils and the Australian Government.

• Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan
  Building partnerships and fostering cooperation across various groups is at the heart of the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan. The Reef 2050 Advisory Committee and Great Barrier Reef Wetlands Network bring together First Nations peoples, local governments, conservation, industry, science and regional natural management groups to provide expert advice on stakeholder priorities and achieving the objectives.
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
  The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has provided world-leading marine park management of the Great Barrier Reef since 1975. It supports 19 Reef Guardian Councils which deliver activities to help reduce impacts on the Reef and 11 Local Marine Advisory Committees which provide advice to the Authority and encourage actions to build Reef resilience.
• First Nations communities
  Explore how Traditional Owners are involved in Reef protection.
• Land-based management actions
  Learn about our work with farmers in Reef catchments and the support we provide to improve land management and protect the Reef.
• Australian Government
  Learn more about Australian Government investments and the projects, partnerships, science and research it supports to help manage the Reef.

Addressing climate change

We have long acknowledged the risks to the Reef from climate change and have set bold but achievable targets for reducing emissions while creating jobs.

• Queensland Climate Action Plan
  We are taking decisive action to address climate change through the Queensland Climate Action Plan. Learn more about how Queenslanders are making a difference in their home, community or business.
• Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan
  The $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan outlines a pathway to transform the electricity system to deliver clean, reliable and affordable power for generations. This plan puts Queensland on a pathway to 80% renewable generation by 2035 and to reduce electricity emissions by 90%, on 2005 levels, by 2035.
• Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund
  The $4.5 billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund supports additional renewable energy generation and storage capacity projects in Queensland. It complements the commitment of $145 million to establish three Queensland Renewable Energy Zones.
• Hydrogen Industry Development Fund
  The Hydrogen Industry Development Fund is driving investment and accelerating the development of hydrogen projects in Queensland.
• Decarbonisation of the Great Barrier Reef Islands program
  Great Barrier Reef island communities are being supported to transition to a low-carbon future and build their resilience through the Decarbonisation of the Great Barrier Reef Islands program.
• Queensland Climate Resilient Councils Program
  The Queensland Climate Resilient Councils Program helps local governments plan for and respond to the challenges and opportunities arising from climate change.

Land-based management actions

All industries are taking action to improve their management practices. Agriculture is the largest industry by land area in the Great Barrier Reef catchment highlighting its role as land stewards to reduce water pollution flowing to the Reef. Urban and industrial land uses provide a relatively small contribution but can have local impacts.

• Reef Joint Field Management Program
  Reef Joint Field Management Program staff provide a constant in-park presence, delivering conservation actions, checking for change, ensuring there is up-to-date information available, welcoming people and upholding compliance on islands. They also look after campgrounds, picnic areas and amenities, walking tracks and lookouts. The program is a partnership between the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and engages Traditional Owners in land management.
• Queensland Reef Water Quality Program
  The $289.6 million Queensland Reef Water Quality Program funds projects that work with industry, agricultural producers and communities to tackle water pollution. Information about funded projects can be found on the Collection of Reef and Land (CORAL) database.
• Farming in the Reef
  The agricultural industry is taking action to reduce run-off while maintaining or improving their profitability and productivity. The Farming in the Reef website provides best practice advice, information on industry Best Management Practice programs and support for farmers operating in Reef catchment areas.
• Reef protection regulations
  The Reef protection regulations are based on industry management practices that improve water quality. The regulations set the minimum standard every agricultural producer needs to follow. The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation assesses compliance with the regulations to make sure all producers are doing the right thing.
• Managing urban run-off
  Urban areas cover less than 1% of the Reef catchment, but stormwater run-off and wastewater treatment plant releases contain pollutants. We are working with councils and the urban development industry to better manage urban run-off.
• Reef Assist
  The $33.5 million Reef Assist program is delivering priority environmental projects and creating regional jobs in the Reef catchment. There is a strong focus on creating jobs for First Nations peoples and young people, and the activities also help to improve the quality of water entering the Reef.
• The Land Restoration Fund
  The Land Restoration Fund provides opportunities for landholders, farmers and First Nations people to generate new, regular income streams through carbon farming projects.
• WetlandInfo
  Wetlands connect the Reef and its catchments, helping capture and process pollutants, providing pathways for aquatic species to migrate and habitat for species including birds and turtles. WetlandInfo is a first stop shop for information, tools and resources to help manage wetlands.
• Vegetation management requirements
  Native vegetation is critical for maintaining biodiversity, preventing land degradation and reducing carbon emissions. The Queensland Government has strengthened the vegetation management requirements to protect all remnant and high value regrowth as well as native vegetation in Reef catchment riparian areas.
• Natural Resources Recovery Program
  The Natural Resources Recovery Program provides up to $10 million each year to natural resource management organisations for projects that promote sustainable land management and drive regional economies.

Water-based management actions

The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area includes more than 3,000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays and about 150 inshore mangrove islands, which are home to iconic plants, animals, habitats and rich cultural heritage. A range of in-water activities help manage and protect this area.

• Reef Joint Field Management Program
  You’ll find Reef Joint Field Management Program staff out on the water educating visitors on how to enjoy the Reef responsibly. They also look after facilities such as public moorings and reef protection markers, monitor coral reefs, respond to incidents and uphold compliance in the water. The program is a partnership between the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and engages Traditional Owners in sea country management.
• Great Barrier Reef Island Arks Acquisition project
  Through the Great Barrier Reef Island Arks Acquisition project, the Queensland Government has purchased leases on two Great Barrier Reef islands to protect key habitat for species including flatback turtles.
• Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy
  The Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy supports healthy fish stocks for commercial, recreational and traditional fishing, which is also important for maintaining a healthy and resilient Reef. Three net-free fishing zones in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton are closed to commercial netting which increases recreational fishing opportunities.
• North-East Shipping Management Plan
  The North-East Shipping Management Plan ensures shipping within the Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Coral Sea operates to the highest possible standard and minimises impacts.
• Sustainable Ports Development Act
  Most of Queensland’s export commodities are shipped through 10 ports located in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Reforms to improve the management of ports include the Sustainable Ports Development Act, Priority Port Master Planning and the Queensland Maintenance Dredging Strategy.
• Reef Islands Initiative
  The Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Reef Islands Initiative is the largest Reef habitat rehabilitation project of its kind in the southern hemisphere. It is supported by $14 million in funding from Lendlease, the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Queensland Government and the Fitzgerald Family Foundation.
• Maritime Safety Queensland
  Maritime Safety Queensland protects Queensland’s waterways and the people who use them—providing safer, cleaner seas. The Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic Service monitors vessel traffic in the region to prevent collisions or incidents.
• Water resource management
  The Queensland Government has regulations to ensure the sustainable management of our water resources including planning to balance the needs of water users and the environment.

Protecting threatened species

The Great Barrier Reef is a refuge for many species of conservation concern. We work with the Australian Government and the community to identify and manage threats to our marine animal species.

• Raine Island Recovery Project
  Raine Island, located on the northern tip of the Reef, is home to the world’s largest green turtle nesting population and an important seabird rookery. The Raine Island Recovery Project, which aims to restore critical habitat, is a collaboration involving the Queensland and Australian governments, the Wuthathi People from Cape York and the Meriam Nation (Ugar, Mer, Erub) People from the eastern Torres Strait.
• Turtle tracking research program
  Mon Repos, near Bundaberg, supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. Queensland’s loggerhead turtle tracking research program has been based there for more than 50 years. Visit the Turtle Centre to learn more about these turtles and the conservation and research programs that protect them. You can also take part in a guided turtle encounter.
• Turtle Nesting Distribution Abundance and Migration database
  Access this database for maps showing the distribution and abundance of marine turtle nesting, their migration and population trends.
• Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program
  Through the Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program, marine turtle rookeries along the coast have been identified for active nest protection and predator control efforts to reduce the threat posed by feral pigs and other predator species.
• Queensland Marine Turtle Conservation Strategy
  Queensland has the longest history of marine turtle conservation and management in Australia starting in 1932. The Queensland Marine Turtle Conservation Strategy outlines actions to make sure that marine turtle species can thrive now and into the future.
• Queensland’s Threatened Species Program
  Queensland’s Threatened Species Program provides the framework for helping conserve our most vulnerable flora and fauna species. It delivers coordinated actions to identify, protect and recover threatened species and mitigate threats.
• Conserving Nature – a Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Queensland
  The Conserving Nature – a Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Queensland sets out our goals and objectives for biodiversity conservation in Queensland.
• Protected species
  Learn more about the protected species in the Great Barrier Reef which are classified as threatened, iconic or at risk.
• Marine animal strandings
  You can report marine animal strandings of sick, injured or dead turtles, dolphins, dugongs or whales by calling the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation on 1300 130 372. You can also become a strandings response volunteer.
• Ramsar wetlands
  The Queensland Government manages two internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef catchments (Bowling Green Bay, and Shoalwater Bay and Corio Bay) which provide habitat for many local and migratory threatened species.
• Gill net fishing phase out
  Gill net fishing in the Great Barrier Reef will be phased out by mid-2027. Read more about the transition to sustainable fishing and how it will provide greater protection for threatened, endangered and protected species such as dugongs, dolphins and marine turtles.

Cultural and maritime heritage

The heritage of the Great Barrier Reef dates back tens of thousands of years. It is recognised as a World and National Heritage site and contains Commonwealth heritage listed places.

• Maritime cultural heritage
  The Great Barrier Reef hosts a rich and diverse maritime cultural heritage. Nearly 800 recorded ship and plane wrecks rest at the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with very few discovered.
• Underwater heritage
  You can explore Queensland’s historic underwater heritage but don’t interfere, damage or remove any artefacts. Learn what to do if you discover an underwater shipwreck or aircraft wreck or artefact.
• Australasian Underwater Cultural Heritage Database
  The Australasian Underwater Cultural Heritage Database contains historical and environmental information about shipwrecks, sunken aircraft and other types of underwater heritage sites.
• Reef’s heritage
  Learn more about the Reef’s heritage and the ways it shapes ecosystem management.
• First Nations World Heritage Strategy
  Queensland’s First Nations World Heritage Strategy explains how we will empower First Nations peoples to better protect and present World Heritage areas, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Policy, planning and investment

Plans to protect the Great Barrier Reef are based on scientific research, analysis and lessons learnt over more than four decades of management. We monitor, learn and adapt our approach to ensure the work is effective and targeted.

• Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan
  The joint Australian and Queensland government Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan is the overarching framework for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef to 2050. It delivers coordinated local, national and global action in key areas.
• Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan
  The Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan seeks to improve the quality of water flowing from the catchments adjacent to the Reef. It is a nested plan under the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan.
• Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy: a Strategy to manage wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments
  The Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy provides direction for wetland science, planning, coordination and management in the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments. It is a nested plan under the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan.
• Queensland Reef Water Quality Program
  The Queensland Government has committed more than $1 billion since 2015 on actions to protect our Reef including $270.1 million over five years to 2025–2026 for the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.
• Governance and partnerships arrangements
  The Queensland and Australian governments take a coordinated approach to protecting the Reef.
• Queensland’s State Planning Policy
  Queensland’s State Planning Policy (SPP) ensures land use planning and development in Great Barrier Reef catchments considers and manages state environment and heritage interests associated with biodiversity, coastal environments, cultural heritage and water quality.
• Statutory regional plans
  Supporting economic growth and interests outlined in the SPP, statutory regional plans guide land use planning in Reef regions including how regions will grow and respond to change over time.
• Coastal planning
  Sound coastal planning and management is vital to help protect and conserve the Queensland coast’s important cultural, ecological and natural values. The Coastal Management Plan provides guidance for protecting, conserving, rehabilitating and managing the coastal zone.
• Queensland’s Biosecurity Strategy
  Queensland’s Biosecurity Strategy aims to protect the state’s agricultural industry, environment and way of life from animal and plant pests and diseases.

Tourism industry

The tourism industry is focussed on being a world leader in responsible Reef tourism and offering best-practice visitor experiences. Tourism is a low risk, well managed activity with around 80% of all tourism activity occurring within about 7% of the marine park.

• Tourism and Events Queensland
  Tourism and Events Queensland provides a range of information and resources for tourism operators.
• High Standard Tourism Operators
  High Standard Tourism Operators voluntarily operate to a higher standard than required by legislation as part of their commitment to ecologically sustainable use. These operators are independently certified.
• Master Reef Guides
  The Master Reef Guide program, delivered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators and Tourism and Events Queensland, trains world-leading Reef guides and interpreters.
• Tourism Management Action Strategy
  The Tourism Management Action Strategy outlines how tourism on the Great Barrier Reef is managed and how tourism activities are supported while also protecting the Reef.
• Towards Tourism 2032
  Towards Tourism 2032 aims to make Queensland, including the Great Barrier Reef, the destination of choice for domestic and global visitors seeking the world’s best experiences.
• Ecotourism Plan for Queensland’s Protected Areas
  The Ecotourism Plan for Queensland’s Protected Areas will enhance ecotourism in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park by providing new public facilities including moorings and acquiring high conservation value islands.
• Great Barrier Reef Island Resorts Rejuvenation Program
  The Great Barrier Reef Island Resorts Rejuvenation Program is investing in sustainable and greener infrastructure projects on island resorts from Far North Queensland to the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
• Great Keppel Island Rejuvenation Project
  Funding through the Great Keppel Island Rejuvenation Project will deliver new tourism infrastructure and improve access to the island.
• Great Barrier Reef Island Marine Infrastructure Package
  The Great Barrier Reef Island Marine Infrastructure Package provides grants for infrastructure that improves access to the Great Barrier Reef islands.
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
  The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority website has information, including zoning rules and maps, for tourism operators who want to access and use the Reef.
• Tourism Reef Protection Initiative
  The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Tourism Reef Protection Initiative supports marine tourism operators to deliver Reef protection and conservation activities at high-value tourism Reef sites.
• Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program
  The Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program supports learning for primary and secondary school students in Queensland to undertake excursions to the Reef.