Over Fishing
Over-fishing isn't just a problem in Australia but all over the world as well. Fish are important to the due to the fact they are the only providers of the right nutrition that maintains corals and other marine plants in the ocean. Take away fish and our 71% of the Earth oceanic water will become unbalanced and the Great Barrier will face complete destruction. Luckily as of 1st of July 2004 approximately 1 third of the Great Barrier Reef is protected from specials removal of any kind, including fishing without written permission. However, illegal poaching is not unknown in these no-take zones.
Even in authorized areas over-fishing and boats all damage the Great Barrier Reef. For example, boats increase pollution, and damage coral reefs by trawling, using nets and anchors. Also fishers commonly catch unwanted species like dolphins and turtles which afterwards causing the animal to either die or become seriously damaged. Sometimes sharks are even fished for their meat, and when they are part of by-catch, it is common to kill the shark and throw it overboard. Why hasn't the government done anything yet? Well it’s not surprising when the annual income for fishing at the Great Barrier Reef is $1 billion to Australia.
Even in authorized areas over-fishing and boats all damage the Great Barrier Reef. For example, boats increase pollution, and damage coral reefs by trawling, using nets and anchors. Also fishers commonly catch unwanted species like dolphins and turtles which afterwards causing the animal to either die or become seriously damaged. Sometimes sharks are even fished for their meat, and when they are part of by-catch, it is common to kill the shark and throw it overboard. Why hasn't the government done anything yet? Well it’s not surprising when the annual income for fishing at the Great Barrier Reef is $1 billion to Australia.