Making A Positive Impact : The Great Barrier Reef
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef was an incredible experience I will never forget. The whole experience brought me so much joy, exploring such a special corner of our planet has really been a dream of mine for so many years. Enjoying the reef should be a joy experienced for generations to come; so if you are planning to visit this natural wonder of our world, here are a few tips to make sure your visit safeguards its beauty for many more years.
Choose An Accredited Company : There are a few key signs to look for if you want to choose an eco-friendly company. Ecotourism Australia and EarthCheck both provide two levels of certification in which tour operators can commit to using sustainable practices and high quality tourism experiences. These companies are actively protecting the environment by adhering to safe practices and maintaining the high standard of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). You can see the list of approved operators on the GBRMPA website.
Follow The Responsible Reef Practices : There are some basic rules to follow when in the water, whether you are snorkelling or scuba diving, these few guidelines will save not only the reef from harm but also yourself. Here are just a few points to remember while on the reef.
Practice good scuba diving – have good buoyancy, be aware of your equipment and move slowly
Avoid holding or touching any part of the reef, including corals and animals
Observe animals like whales or turtles from a safe distance
Enhance the quality of your dive experience by learning about the environment you’ll visit
Don’t take anything from the reef including dead coral or shells
See the full list of responsible reef practices at GBRMPA.
Contribute To Citizen Science : As the reef is so large, it is quite a challenge for scientists to collect frequent information across the entire length of the reef, and that is where citizen science (and you!) come in. ‘Eye On The Reef’ is a way for every visitor to contribute towards the long-term protection of the Great Barrier Reef by recording animals sightings, reef health data and other valuable information. However you are enjoying the reef, you can join in with citizen science by downloading the Eye On The Reef app and start contributing immediately to data collection. You can submit locations of animal sightings, photos of what you have encountered like marine pollution or coral spawning and it can also help you to identify the wildlife you come across.
Fight For The Planet : The biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef is climate change caused by humans. And this will only change with action. So start right now to help give the Great Barrier Reef a fighting chance of survival. So here are just a few things to do today for a better future.
Make changes to your lifestyle to reduce your carbon footprint
Commit to only taking one long haul flight per year
Change your diet to include more local produce and fewer animal products
Have your say at local council meetings and elections
Vote with your money by researching companies’ sustainability pledges.
I hope when you visit, you will take the time to explore the reef with the care it deserves and let it inspire you to help change its future.