Great Barrier Reef

[Martine]

Do you think tourism has a negative or positive effect to the environment?

[Russell65]

Every time something from the outside enters an environment there is some impact. Tourism in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is naturally having some effect. But it also generates significant income for the region and the marine park fees help fund research. Also, there is significant negative effect caused by runoff from the mainland containing fertilizers & other pollutants, ships offloading ballast (although I suspect this is not allowed), Crown of Thorns Starfish population cycles as well as bleaching by the sun which could get worse through global warming. Compared with the more natural impacts tourism is probably the easiest to control. At least there is recognition that you do not shoot the goose that lays the golden egg.
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[Martine]

Do you think this has an effect on the local population? Is there a relationship with tourists or is there a bit of holstility?

[Russell65]

The Queensland coastal cities near the Barrier Reef such as Mackay, Airlie Beach, Townsville and Cairns owe a lot of their income to tourism. I don’t think there would be any hostility at all. We are a pretty friendly bunch and like to show off our beautiful country. Although like anywhere, there may be a few who don’t play the game. Recently there have been a small number of incidents in Byron Bay (New South Wales) where some “locals” were upset with the tourist invasion and even attacked a tourist in one incident. But that was very isolated I think. But most “locals” have only arrived in Byron the last 20 years because of the areas popularity so they are also part of their own problem.
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[oszillodrom]

As far as I know, the biggest threat to the Barrier Reef is global warming. If tourism helps generate awareness about this, I think it's an overall postive impact.

[luvtotravel]

I've been up there several times. All the tour operators I have encountered do a great job looking after this great natural resource. It's too good to hide.
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[mickh]

Yes, global warming is definitely the biggest problem. Others include pollution such as chemical fertilisers, and over-fishing. Tourism is a minor issue compared to these.
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[SoberKoala]

Hi Guys,

I just visited the Great Barrier Reef last week.

Well, I do think tourism has negative impact on the Reef and its creatures. The more popular the destination is, the more damage has been done.

Say Green Island, the closest to Cairns city. I feel really sorry for the suffering reef and the damaged coral garden. There are still plenty of fishes to see, mostly because of the fish feeding trick on every glass bottom boat or semi-sub tour.

Worst of all, I saw quite a few garbage items flowing in the water -- abandoned tourists brochures, used plastic bandages, etc.

However, we can't blame tourism itself cos what's the point of reserving a beautiful piece of land if people cannot see it, cannot enjoy it and cannot gain access to it?!

It is NOT the fault of tourism itself.

It is the PEOPLE -- Tourists' behaviours, Operation of the Tour Company, Qld Government's effort ...

As for global warming, it's everyone's businesses.
Everyone on earth plays a role in preserving the natural beauties of this lonely planet.

However, it seems that the US and the Australian Federal government do not understand this point. Or maybe they do understand, it's just too 'difficult' for them to sign a name in Kyoto.

[luvtotravel]

Has anyone else been to Green Island lately? I haven't been there for ages. Green Island is not the outer reef, which is a must do in life. I'd like to hear more about the damage though. What is the damage?
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[mickh]

Well first there was the Crown of Thorns starfish problem, but that was controlled. The environmental problems are harder to fix. Coastal North Queensland is home to primary industries like sugar cane which use massive amounts of chemical fertilisers. Much of this ends up in the coastal sea where it disturbs the reef ecology. Global warming is the biggest potential problem, it could devastate the reef in the longer term.
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[luvtotravel]

Yes but the starfish are nature, they don't come from the sugar mills. Bleaching from large tides also kill reef. The cause of the large tides could be argued about forever.
Some careless tourists or locals dropping rubbish in the sea is infuriating, but where and what is the damage caused to reef at Green Island, or anywhere else. Everytime I've been to the reef I see healthy reef and fishlife. Global warming potential, maybe but potential is always just that. It may or may not have large effects. We were not polluting the earth when the ice age came, surely some global climate changes must be natural over time. I'll admit the ozone layer issue is a concern, but sugar farming has been around for decades. Is their any proof of damage to reef?
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[backpackerhiredotcom]

hmmmmmmmm The U.S creates 25% of the worlds carbon dioxide pollution. more than india, china and japan combined Bush still refuses to force emission reductions and we blame a few cane growers and tourism for the reefs slow but noticable death ????
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[luvtotravel]

Good point. You mention "reefs slow but noticable death ????"

I am wondering where this is though, and how bad is it?
When a million starfish come along and munch up the reef, hey it's a shame, but it's nature.
Bleaching issue, not sure how long this has happened historically, and if it's g-warming related?
Where is the reef damaged at the moment?

thanks

Damien
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[Breezegetaways.com]

Great movie, We destroy the reefs in many ways.
Coral Reef Adventure (IMAX)
One thing that I remember form the movie is that "White" parts of the reef are dead. Often caused by warmer temperatures.
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[Jamesey]

One great killer of the environment is poverty, so moderate, sensible tourism could help in some ways, but usually things get out of hand and the tourists do damage too!
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