Indicators
Key Messages
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The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, providing habitat for a vast array of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, dugong and coral. It supports biodiversity, helps maintain ocean health, and plays a crucial role in protecting Queensland’s coastline from erosion and storm damage. The Reef is also a major economic asset, attracting millions of tourists annually and supporting industries like fishing and tourism. Additionally, it holds deep cultural significance for Indigenous communities. Protecting the Great Barrier Reef is essential for preserving its ecological, economic, and cultural value for future generations.
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The Great Barrier Reef became the first coral reef ecosystem to be listed on the World Heritage List in 1981. Its World Heritage listing recognises the reef’s importance to the global community and the need for its protection and preservation for future generations. It was listed for all 4 natural heritage criteria.
There are approximately 70 First Nation groups whose sea country includes the Great Barrier Reef. Evidence of First Nations people’s relationship to sea Country demonstrates an ongoing connection to the Great Barrier Reef region for over 60,000 years.
State
- Condition of ecological processes on the Great Barrier Reef
Since 2019, most ecological processes on the Great Barrier Reef have remained generally stable. Reef building continues to deteriorate due to the impact of ocean acidification on calcification rates. Trends in recruitment are variable, but declines have been observed in some populations, including dugongs, turtles, and some coral species.
- Great Barrier Reef World Heritage natural criteria
The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981 and included on the National Heritage List in 2007.
- Great Barrier Reef World Heritage condition
The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area remains whole and intact, but its integrity is being challenged. Its outstanding universal value remains; however, the condition of the property has deteriorated to varying extents. Increasing pressure brought about by climate change, combined with chronic and legacy impacts are undermining the Reef’s resilience.
- Condition of aquatic ecosystem health
The Burdekin, Fitzroy, Mackay Whitsunday and Wet Tropics regions have generally improved, ranging from moderate to good waterway condition. The Wet Tropics Daintree sub-catchment is an exception and has remained in very good condition. Southeast Queensland waterway conditions have generally remained stable or improved, except in four sub-catchments (Bremer, Lockyer and Upper/Lower Brisbane).
- Condition of marine ecosystem health
Queensland's offshore marine environments are in generally good condition as they are less directly influenced by the water quality of the catchments. Inshore marine areas closer to the coast are impacted by pollutants flowing from catchments and rivers. In general, the Fitzroy and Mackay Whitsunday region's marine ecosystem health is in poor condition while Burdekin and Wet Tropics regions are in moderate condition.
- Condition of freshwater wetlands
In Queensland, we have monitored the condition of natural, freshwater floodplain wetlands in major aggregations within the Great Barrier Reef catchment area (GBRCA) annually since 2016.
During 2016–2022, annually there has been:
- no improvement or decline in the overall condition of wetlands across the GBRCA
- a minor improvement in wetland local physical integrity
- a minor decline in biotic integrity.
- Extent and rate of change of freshwater wetlands
In 2019, more than 97% of the pre-European settlement extent of palustrine (swamp) and lacustrine (lake) wetlands remained in Queensland. Losses across the state are mainly due to agricultural expansion, development, and infrastructure. Between 2001-2019, the greatest losses have occurred in palustrine systems in the North East Coast (Great Barrier Reef) and Murray Darling divisions.
- Extent and rate of change of estuarine wetlands
In 2019, more than 95% of the pre-European settlement extent of vegetated intertidal wetlands (between the high tide and low tide mark) remained in Queensland. Of the two broad intertidal wetland types, mangroves and salt marsh/salt flats, the greatest ongoing losses are in salt marsh/salt flats in the North East Coast Great Barrier Reef drainage division.
Pressure
- Climate change and the Great Barrier Reef
Of the four main factors influencing the Great Barrier Reef, climate change is assessed as having the highest negative impact. Its impacts on natural and heritage values are already apparent and expected to increase.
- Coastal development and the Great Barrier Reef
Coastal development has a high impact on ecological and heritage values. The legacy effects of past coastal development, primarily agricultural land uses, barriers to flow, urban development and mining, still significantly affect coastal ecosystems adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. Development is anticipated to increase in line with a growing population, aquaculture is projected to increase within the catchment, and existing and additional modifications to coastal ecosystems and barriers to flow will encroach further upon natural and heritage values in the future.
- Direct use and the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef continues to provide significant economic and social benefits. The impacts of most direct use are localised but add up across the Region. Cumulative impacts from direct use and other pressures (including climate change) affect ecosystem resilience and Reef-dependent industries and communities.
- Land-based runoff and the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is vulnerable to exposure to pollutants (mainly sediments, nutrients and pesticides) transported in land-based runoff from unsustainable agricultural land management practices. Land-based runoff remains the most significant contributor to reduced water quality.
- Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish
Crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks continue to affect reefs, but control efforts have reduced impacts at some scales. The outbreaks are graded as poor, improving from the very poor rating in 2019.
- Coastal hazard erosion-prone area
Mainland beaches and coastlines from Cape York to Bundaberg remain in good condition. Coastlines across the state are dynamic. Within the Great Barrier Reef Region observed changes over recent years likely reflect natural variations in climatic and oceanic influences predominantly. However, sea-level rise is expected to increase erosion rates, recession and inundation in the coming decades.
- Pressures affecting marine ecosystems
Pressures affecting marine ecosystems within the Great Barrier Reef Catchments are catchment and coastal development, extreme weather events and climate change. In South East Queensland, the major pressures affecting marine ecosystem health are sediment and the long-term loss of riparian or riverbank vegetation, exacerbated by climate change and population growth.
- Pressures affecting aquatic ecosystem health
Overall, the common drivers affecting Queensland's monitored waterway catchments are climate change, climate variability, population growth and economic growth.
- Pressures affecting freshwater wetlands
We have monitored human-induced pressures on natural, freshwater floodplain wetlands located in major aggregations within the Great Barrier Reef catchment annually since 2016.
Between 2016-2022:
- there has been no annual increase or reduction in the overall pressure on the wetlands
- we detected a small annual increase in the pressure on wetlands from water regime changes.