Marine conservationists say adding the Great Barrier Reef to UNESCO's endangered list would be putting Australia on a 'list of shame', highlighting our irresponsibility in caring for one of the world's natural wonders.
Felicity Wishart of the Australian Marine Conservation Society told SBS: "This would be a list of shame. It would highlight that Australia hasn't been looking after one of Australia's great natural wonders of the world."
The Great Barrier Reef is under constant threat from oil spills and conservationists are concerned not enough is being done to protect the reef and its diverse ecosystem.
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Authorities have oil spill clean-up equipment along the Queensland coast and they focus on accident prevention.
But maritime officials say while shipping continues along the Reef, there is no way of completely preventing another oil spill like the Shen Neng in 2010.
"I think the Barrier Reef is one of the hardest places in the world to contain and control an oil spill," said Russell Reichelt of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
"Traffic management as opposed to traffic monitoring is probably the biggest single step Australia could take. But we're quite conscious that could be quite adventurous in international shipping terms."
About 4000 ships use the Great Barrier Reef annually, but this number is expected to increase to 6000 by 2020.
