Scientists say new regulations are essential to ensure long-term health of coral
Fishing is to be banned on large parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef because the famous coral reef – cited as the world’s largest living structure – is being environmentally damaged.
Pollution, high sea temperatures and over-fishing are proving to be a serious threat to the reef, which is one of the country’s main tourist attractions and was recently voted one of the top five “places to see before you die” in a BBC poll. Now fishing will be banned on some 30 per cent of the 1,200-mile reef; previously it was outlawed on just five per cent of the reef.
Australia’s environment minister David Kemp told The Independent: “The Great Barrier Reef is suffering very considerable pressures at the moment from increasing usage by tourists, by fishers, by the local community. It is very important that we give the reef proper protection for the future – the reef is Australia’s greatest icon.”
According to the newspaper, scientists have recently stated that 30 to 50 per cent of the reef needs to be permanently protected if its long-term health is to be sustained.
