Great Barrier Reef outlook downgraded to 'very poor'
The outlook for the Great Barrier Reef is now officially 'very poor'.'
Its status has been downgraded to the lowest possible level by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Human-induced climate change and overfishing are just two of the reasons why the natural phenomenon is in trouble.
But not all hope is lost, says the park's chief scientist David Wachenfeld.
"The long term outlook, is very poor, that's largely driven by climate change. But despite that with the right mix of local actions to improve the resilience of the system and global actions to tackle climate change in the strongest and fastest way possible, we can turn that around. And we can provide a better outlook in future for the Great Barrier Reef and the great economic and social values that it provides for Australia, and indeed for the world."
Aside from climate change, the reef has suffered six cyclones, two major coral bleaching events and various attacks by the predator crown-of-thorns starfish in the last few years.
The current state could jeopardise its World Heritage standing, and should UNESCO decide to give the reef quote "in danger status,'' that could be an embarrassment for the Australian government and damage tourism.
The reef - stretching for more than 1430 miles - is home to 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc.