The Great Barrier Reef stretches for over 1500 km along the north-east cost of Australia, just 50 km off the Queensland coast. It is the most extensive natural reef in the world made up of over 3,000 individual reef systems, coral cays and literally 100’s of tropical islands, home to over 600 types coral and 1,500 species of fish.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of our planet’s most remarkable natural gifts and as a consequence has become one of the world’s most sought after tourist destinations. However, the reef is not without it’s challenges. The influences of climate change have put the reef and its surrounding environment in perilous danger which threatens its very existence.
This vulnerable eco-structure needs the attention of the global community to recognise the urgent attention required to protect the reef and its habitat for all future generations.
How to contribute
Fortunately, there are already groups of concerned citizens from around the world seeking to educate and promote initiatives on a large scale for the benefit of the reef.
Become a Citizen of the Great Barrier Reef.
This organisation is building a community of people engaged with taking up positive initiative to educate and improve the long term sustainability of our precious reef. Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef has been initiated by Tourism Tropical North Queensland with the support of founding partners James Cook University and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Joining is quick, easy and free. For more details, why not watch the following short video:
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation will facilitate all donations and investment in research projects funded by Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef.
The objectives of Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef are:
PARTICIPATION: Empower citizens and organisations of the world to demonstrate ownership, leadership and responsibility for preserving and experiencing the Great Barrier Reef.
CONSERVATION: Promote, foster and support research and management activities that contribute to best-practice conservation.
EDUCATION: Increase awareness and its universal value, communicate initiatives and progress towards a sustainable existence.
TOURISM: Encourage responsible tourism experiences through visitation, increase advocacy and conservation.
Our Commitment to the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is widely acclaimed as one of the world’s great natural treasures, and we are pleased to announce that on August 3rd 2007 Charter Yachts Australia became the FIRST bareboat charter operator in Australia to be granted ECO Tourism Certification.
This strengthens our commitment to protect and educate others about this fragile environment.
