Threat to Great Barrier Reef, threat to region

The regional body responsible for promoting tourism in Far North Queensland says coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef could severely affect the local tourism industry.

Fears over coral bleaching of Barrier Reef. Source: AAP

Significant coral-bleaching events have degraded the reef over the past two decades, and reef authorities say large parts of the reef north of Cairns have been bleached this summer.

 

Frequent coral bleaching could pose a threat to the tropical North Queensland region, which heavily relies on the reef for tourism, jobs and commercial fishing.