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VANCOUVER: The Great Barrier Reef is not currently “in danger,” according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. However, the World Heritage Committee that made that decision did express concerns over the long-term environmental prospects for that region.
The categorization was made as the committee met in Bonn, Germany, although the conclusion still has the status of a “draft decision.” Officials from UNESCO will decide whether or not to confirm that conclusion in June at a meeting of the committee.
“Climate change, poor water quality from land-based run off, impacts from coastal development and some remaining impacts of fishing are the major threats to the property’s future health. As a result of these cumulative impacts, further exacerbated by recent major storms and floods that are expected to become more frequent, key habitats, species and ecosystem processes … have deteriorated,” the UNESCO Heritage Committee wrote in the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2014.
The Great Barrier Reef is usually considered to be one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The area contains 600 islands and 3,000 coral reefs, including 400 types of coral and 1,500 species of fish. Around 2 million tourists visit the area each year, adding $4.6 billion dollars (U.S.) to the economy of the Land Down Under.
