The Promise and Pitfalls of Contemporary Planning

CRP 2000

Great Barrier Reef

By Mari Giurastante

An aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef.

An aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the largest, most extensive coral reef ecosystem in the world. The GBR covers an area of 348,000 square kilometers and has extraordinary cross-shelf diversity. (“Great Barrier Reef”) The GBR starts with the low-water mark along the coast and ends approximately 250 kilometers offshore, where the oceanic depth is over 2,000 meters deep. (“Great Barrier Reef”) Within the GBR exists 4,000 species of mollusk, 2,500 individual reefs, 1,500 species of fish, 900 islands, 400 species of coral, and 240 species of bird, among “a great diversity of sponges, anemones, marine worms, crustaceans, and other species.” In fact, the GBR is so vast that it can be identified from space. (“Great Barrier Reef”)

An underwater scene from the GBR

An underwater scene from the GBR

It should come as no surprise that the Great Barrier Reef, so diverse and historic, not only serves as an ecological marvel, but also a site for cultural production. (“Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef”) The GBR heavily influences the culture and customs of the Australian Indigenous groups – the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders. The Islanders are traditionally a hunter-gatherer society and, for this reason, are intimately connected to the natural environment. Evidence of this connection can be found in their systems, spiritual practices, and folklore. Furthermore, these traditions and customs vary between tribes and reflect their regional juxtaposition. (“Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef”)

The Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders have inhabited these areas for approximately 60,000 years. (“Reef Facts”) Unsurprisingly, and rightfully so, they continue to assert “inherited rights and responsibilities over their land and sea country.” (“Reef Facts”) Due to this affiliation, the Islanders are formally designated as the Reef’s Traditional Owners. These owners work in conjunction with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) to protect the heritage that accompanies the Reef. Traditional use of marine resources is promoted, which means any historically cultural or domestic activity of the Indigenous people in relation to the Reef. This can include anything from fishing, hunting and collecting shellfish to storytelling, languages and ceremonies. In 1993, this type of usage was actually declared a legal right of indigenous people by the creation of the Native Title Act. (“Reef Facts”)

GreatBarrier3

Additionally, the Aboriginal and Torres Straight people participate in marine tourism. (“Reef Facts”) The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has created special permits for the use of Indigenous people who wish to embark on a commercial tourism venture. Many people who visit the Great Barrier Reef are also curious about the surrounding culture and wish to know more about the Islander life. With the Indigenous Special Tourism Permissions, Islanders are able to communicate the stories and customs of their communities and their intricate knowledge of the Reef. This type of cultural education also helps develop an intercultural respect, which contributes in a social capacity, to the preservation efforts of the GBR. (“Reef Facts”)

In addition to educational programs, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority manages the GBR through various other methods and activities. (“How the Reef Is Managed”) The management focuses include twelve broad topics, which are: biodiversity protection, climate change, coastal development, commercial marine tourism, defense, fishing (commercial and recreational), heritage, ports and shipping, recreation (not including fishing), scientific research, traditional use of marine resources, and water quality. The GBRMP has also identified permissible activities in every area throughout the park through the Zoning Plan – hunting and fishing is not permitted in 33% of the park. Other special management programs have been enacted to ensure the survival of endangered subjects that exist in the GBR – of which there are many. The GBR is the most well managed Reef in the world. (“How the Reef Is Managed”)

Although the GBR is indubitably well-protected, uncontrollable events still threaten the health of the Reef. (“Threats to the Great Barrier Reef”) The biggest threat currently to the GBR is global warming. Even a two to three degree temperature increase in the water could render the GBR non-existent by the year 2030. This is disastrous because rising water temperatures lead to “coral bleaching,” which means that the algae (upon which many species feed) disappears from the coral altogether. Coral bleaching combined with overfishing, oil spills and shipping accents present could lead to the demise of the Reef, despite the greatest efforts by natives, planners and government officials alike. (“Threats to the Great Barrier Reef”)

The health of this reef and the management of global warming and environment issues are imperative to the survival of aboriginal people. (Edwards, 2013) The currently ensuing environmental changes are already affecting them and they are being forced to retreat from their coastal lands. These people are suffering from issues such as rough seas and higher storm frequency in conjunction with king tides and ocean acidification, which is destroying their community’s infrastructure and the Great Barrier Reef. Many villages, only about two meters above sea level, are being forced to create sea walls and coastal erosion measures. Despite, environmentalists and conservationists greatest efforts to manage climate change, it is expected that the environmental conditions will worsen over time. Given that these changes continue, the aboriginal people will, most likely, have to abandon their homes altogether and move to the mainland. (Edwards, 2013)

Works Cited

Edwards, S. (2013, November 23). Threats to aboriginal land. Retrieved from http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/land/threats-to-aboriginal-land

“Great Barrier Reef.” UNESCO. UNESCO, 16 11 2013. Web. 16 Nov 2013. <http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/154>.

“How the Reef Is Managed.” Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority. Austrailian Government, 21 11 2013. Web. 21 Nov 2013. <http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/how-the-reefs-managed>.

“Reef Facts.” Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Australian Government, 21 11 2013. Web. 21 Nov 2013. <http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/11257/4-Traditional-Owners-of-the-GBR.pdf>.

“Threats to the Great Barrier Reef.” Great Barrier Reef . GreatBarrierReef.com.au, 21 11 2013. Web. 21 Nov 2013. <http://www.greatbarrierreef.com.au/information/great-barrier-reef-threats/>.

“Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef.” Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Australian Government, 11 21 2013. Web. 21 Nov 2013. <http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/our-partners/traditional-owners/traditional-owners-of-the-great-barrier-reef>.

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