The Great Barrier Reef

Video Opener: CSIRO: Australia's national science Agency

Title: CSIRO providing science solutions to protect and preserve the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is a global icon. It  stretches 2300 km  from the top of Queensland down to Bundaberg.  

It is deeply significant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners and peoples  with enduring connection to their land and sea country.

The Reef is home to a wealth of marine biodiversity. 

The greatest threat to the Reef is climate change and its impacts. 

Other threats include deteriorating water quality, crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, rising water temperatures and increasing ocean acidification.

The Reef provides benefits to communities and economies through fishing and tourism. Sustainable management is essential to reduce pressure on the Reef.

Preserving the Reef’s ecosystems represents a highly complex challenge.

It requires partnership between Australian governments, Traditional Owners, industry, landholders, community  and research institutions.

We have a long history of working with partners in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent catchments, spanning the full continuum from inland to outer reef.

Our collaborative work includes:

-Understanding and predicting the impacts of climate change.

-Improving water quality by reducing pollutants from agricultural land.

-Supporting marine park management including the management crown-of -thorns starfish.

Partnering with the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program,  harvesting coral spawn and modelling responses to climate and management interventions.

-Understanding the perspectives of Reef residents and the people whose livelihoods depend on The Reef.

-Using emerging digital technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) to help protect and interpret data on coral reefs.

We continue to work with others to monitor and protect the Reef. 

As Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology.

Video closer: CSIRO. Unlocking a better future for everyone.