Learn about threats to the Reef

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The Great Barrier Reef is a natural treasure and one of the world's best-managed marine areas, but like all tropical coral reefs, it's facing severe threats.

The Reef is facing a range of threats over time, scale and duration, and the cumulative impact of these threats has the potential to weaken its resilience further.

The Reef Authority is the key management agency for the Great Barrier Reef and works with government, industries and communities to build reef resilience. The Australian and Queensland governments' Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan provides an overarching framework for protecting the Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2019 and strategic assessment found the Reef is an icon under threat from:

While the Great Barrier Reef remains a vibrant, beautiful ecosystem - of immense value to Australians and the world - global and local actions are needed to protect the Reef.