6 ways you can help keep the Great Barrier Reef great

Knowing exactly what you’re preserving is one of the simplest ways to understand why protecting and conserving the reef is so important. Before you head there, research the most important species and how the reef can be best preserved. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is a great place to start. When you’re in Townsville, drop into Reef HQ, home to the Australian Government’s national research and education program, and the largest living coral reef aquarium in the world. While you’re there, make a donation to the aquarium, or become a member and/or a volunteer in the interpretation and education teams.

Choose the right operator

Before you book your tour, choose an eco-operator. Look for the Ecotourism Australia Advanced Accreditation, EarthCheck or Green Leader logos and/or Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority branding. Ecotourism Australia has also developed a Green Travel Guide of operators who are following or setting best practice in climate change and eco- or nature based tourism practices.

Banish plastic

Half of all plastic produced in the world is designed to be used only once, and then thrown away. This is a huge contributor to the 300 million tonnes of plastic waste created every year, almost equivalent to the weight of the entire human population - and our everyday reliance on plastic comes at a global cost.

Queensland has recently taken an extra step to fight plastic waste and pollution, starting with a ban on some single-use plastic items like single-use plastic straws, stirrers, plates, bowls, cutlery and polystyrene takeaway food containers and cups, which came into effect on 1 September 2021.

Wherever you live, ensure you take a natural-fibre, reusable bag or basket to do your groceries, cut down on packaging by buying in bulk, buy fruit and vegetables loose instead of in plastic bags, and support local growers by visiting farmers’ markets. Beer and soft-drink lovers can choose eco-friendly rings so there’s less risk of a turtle mistaking them for food.

The clean-up crew

The Eco Barge Clean Seas crew are bona fide reef saviours. Collecting marine debris by day and caring for marine turtles by night, these dedicated anti-litter bugs have been responsible for collecting more than 153,000 kilograms of sea-borne rubbish from the Whitsundays since 2009. In addition, the Eco Barge crew run clean streets and creeks programs and coastal clean-up days to prevent man-made litter entering the marine environment. The Eco Barge’s good work relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to help with activities like removal trips, counting and sorting, working bees and caring for turtles. Register your interest to be added to the volunteer database for the Whitsunday and Mackay regions, or donate resources through the sponsor/supporter and donor channels.

Volun-tour

During peak holiday periods, Queensland National Parks offers visitors to North West and Lady Musgrave islands in the Southern Great Barrier Reef the chance to camp for free in exchange for volunteering as campground hosts, providing island interpretation with a conservation message. You can also join ordinary folk like Nev and Bev McLachlan who make the trek each December to Deepwater National Park, near the twin towns of Agnes Water and 1770, to help nesting loggerhead turtles and to record vital information about their migration and nesting patterns.

Join the crusade

Join one of the many guardian programs, foundations and not-for-profit organisations working towards conserving the reef. Check out Reef Check Australia, Reef Teach, Earthwatch Australia and Conservation Volunteers, or become a Citizen of the Great Barrier Reef. Or learn more about the significant work being done by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Current research projects include sequencing (or “sea-quencing”, as the foundation likes
to call it) the genomes of 10 coral varieties, monitoring the essential algae (known as CCA) that helps keep coral stable and testing a biodegradable surface film that would stop damaging levels of heat and light entering the
reef’s waters.