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Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2024: an ecosystem under pressure
The Reef Authority’s Outlook Report 2024 is the latest in the five-yearly series which provides a comprehensive overview of the Great Barrier Reef’s health, pressures, management, and potential future.
The Report found the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park continues to be well-managed, and world-leading management initiatives such as work to control the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, are also helping protect biodiversity and support Reef resilience. However, the overall outlook for the Reef remains one of future deterioration due largely to a rapidly changing climate and urgent global action is needed to lower emissions.
#LovetheReef highlights
Celebrating biodiversity
September is Biodiversity Month! We're celebrating the Reef's incredible diversity—from vibrant animals and plants to tiny, unseen micro-organisms. One of the key management tools we have in our belt is Marine Park Zoning that helps protect the unique biodiversity that makes the Great Barrier Reef one of Earth's most complex ecosystems.
COTS crunched in 23/24
The Crown-of-thorns Starfish (COTS) Control Program sustainably culled over 50,227 starfish across 11,640 hectares last year, supporting the Reef's resilience. Divers completed 30,596 manta tow surveys, 3524 Reef Health and Impact Surveys, and spent 16,657 hours across 192 reefs for COTS control.
Sinking fishers rescued late at night
When three fishermen found themselves in peril off Block Reef, their night turned from frightening to unforgettable thanks to some quick-thinking heroes. An urgent mayday call from a sinking boat around 90kms northeast of Airlie Beach sent a rescue crew from Queensland Police and the Reef Authority straight into action.
Keeping Wild Duck, wild
Significant work to remove a decaying abandoned resort on an island home to an important turtle rookery, has been completed thanks to funding by the Reef Joint Field Management Program. By removing the resort, the project is returning the island to the best state to foster natural regeneration, turning it into a conservation haven for nesting turtles.
The Reef's own 'Little Mermaid'
It sounds like a Disney princess tale, and it just so happens that Reef Authority Marine Scientist Bronte Claussen bears a striking resemblance to Ariel, aka the Little Mermaid. From her toddler to her teenage years, Bronte grew up on a remote island where fresh milk was a special occasion, but snorkelling with whale sharks was a regular Tuesday.
Join the 2024 Great Barrier Reef Clean-up
Clean Up Australia and ReefClean are teaming up this year to host the biggest Great Barrier Reef clean-up yet. If you live near the Reef, you are invited to help take part. You don't have to be an expert, or even part of an organisation to register for a beach clean-up at your local beach. Join in and help protect the Reef from marine debris.
Make way for whales
Each year, tens of thousands of humpback whales make their massive migration from the Antarctic waters to the mating and calving grounds of the Great Barrier Reef. When you are out on the Reef, and with increased whale numbers about, it has never been more important to 'breach' up on your whale rules and stay whale wise.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority acknowledges the continuing Sea Country management and custodianship of the Great Barrier Reef by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners whose rich cultures, heritage values, enduring connections and shared efforts protect the Reef for future generations.
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