Editing Great Barrier Reef (section)

==Environmental threats==
{{Main|Environmental threats to the Great Barrier Reef}}
[[File:GBReef TempChlorophyll 200602.jpg|thumb|right|Sea temperature and [[Coral bleaching|bleaching]] of the Great Barrier Reef]]
[[Climate change]], pollution, [[crown-of-thorns starfish]] and fishing are the primary threats to the health of this reef system. Other threats include shipping accidents, [[oil spill]]s, and tropical cyclones.<ref name=CRC46>{{cite web |url=http://www.reef.crc.org.au/publications/techreport/pdf/Harriott46.pdf |title=Marine tourism impacts and their management on the Great Barrier Reef |year=2002 |last=Harriott |first=V.J. |work=CRC Reef Research Centre Technical Report No. 46 |publisher=CRC Reef Research Centre |access-date=8 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318081806/http://www.reef.crc.org.au/publications/techreport/pdf/Harriott46.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2009 }}</ref> [[Skeletal Eroding Band]], a disease of bony corals caused by the [[protozoan]] ''[[Halofolliculina corallasia]]'', affects 31 coral species.<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/reef-monitoring/coral-diseases/hcd-gbr-04.html |title=AIMS Longterm Monitoring – Coral Diseases on the Great Barrier Reef – Skeletal Eroding Band |publisher=aims.gov.au |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713171718/http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/reef-monitoring/coral-diseases/hcd-gbr-04.html |archive-date=13 July 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to a 2012 study by the [[National Academy of Sciences]], since 1985, the Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half of its corals with two-thirds of the loss occurring from 1998 due to the factors listed before.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/great-barrier-reef-has-lost-half-its-coral-since-1985-8193783.html |title=Great Barrier Reef has 'lost half its coral since 1985' |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2 October 2012 |access-date=3 October 2012 |author=Eilperin, Juliet |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003191727/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/great-barrier-reef-has-lost-half-its-coral-since-1985-8193783.html |archive-date=3 October 2012  }}</ref> In 2022, the northern and central parts of the reef had the highest amount of coral cover since monitoring began, but the cover in the southern part had decreased and  bleaching events occurred more frequently.<ref>"[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-62402891 Great Barrier Reef sees record coral cover, but it is highly vulnerable]", ''[[BBC]]'', 4 August 2022.</ref>

===Climate change===
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority considers the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef to be climate change, causing [[ocean warming]] which increases [[coral bleaching]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.150.theage.com.au/view_bestofarticle.asp?straction=update&inttype=1&intid=1850 |title=Global climate change, the Great Barrier Reef and our obligations |publisher=The National Forum |access-date=26 September 2007 |date=19 November 2004 |author1=Rothwell, Don |author2=Stephens, Tim |location=Melbourne |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012184305/http://150.theage.com.au/view_bestofarticle.asp?straction=update&inttype=1&intid=1850 |archive-date=12 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/publications/misc_pub/climate_change_vulnerability_assessment/our_changing_climate |title=Our changing climate |access-date=26 September 2007 |author=Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029074337/http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/publications/misc_pub/climate_change_vulnerability_assessment/our_changing_climate |archive-date=29 October 2007 }}</ref> Mass coral bleaching events due to [[marine heatwave]]s occurred in the summers of 1998, 2002, 2006, 2016, 2017 and 2020,<ref>{{cite web |author=Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority |title=Coral Bleaching and Mass Bleaching Events |url=http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science/climate_change/coral_bleaching.html |access-date=30 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060420004634/http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science/climate_change/coral_bleaching.html |archive-date=20 April 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=14 October 2020 |title=Great Barrier Reef has lost half of its corals since 1995 |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54533971 |access-date=10 November 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101142224/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54533971 |url-status=live }}</ref> and coral bleaching is expected to become an annual occurrence.<ref name="tele">{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,21141105-1702,00.html?from=public_rss |title=Online version |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]] |date=30 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226143455/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C10117%2C21141105-1702%2C00.html?from=public_rss |archive-date=26 February 2009 }}</ref> In 2020, a study found that the Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half of its corals since 1995 due to warmer seas driven by climate change.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dietzel |first1=Andreas |last2=Bode |first2=Michael |last3=Connolly |first3=Sean R. |last4=Hughes |first4=Terry P. |title=Long-term shifts in the colony size structure of coral populations along the Great Barrier Reef |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |date=14 October 2020 |volume=287 |issue=1936 |pages=20201432 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2020.1432 |pmid=33049171 |pmc=7657849 }}</ref> As global warming continues, corals will not be able to keep up with increasing ocean temperatures. Coral bleaching events lead to increased disease susceptibility, which causes detrimental ecological effects for reef communities.<ref name="Littman">{{cite journal |last1=Littman |first1=Raechel |last2=Willis |first2=Bette L. |last3=Bourne |first3=David G. |year=2011 |title=Metagenomic analysis of the coral holobiont during a natural bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef |journal=Environmental Microbiology Reports |volume=3 |issue=6 |pages=651–660 |doi=10.1111/j.1758-2229.2010.00234.x |pmid=23761353 |bibcode=2011EnvMR...3..651L }}</ref>

In July 2017 [[UNESCO]] published in a draft decision, expressing serious concern about the impact of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.  The draft decision also warned Australia that it will not meet the targets of the Reef 2050 report without considerable work to improve water quality.<ref name=":0">[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/03/great-barrier-reef-australia-must-act-urgently-on-water-quality-says-unesco#img-1 Great Barrier Reef: Australia must act urgently on water quality, says Unesco] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603075819/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/03/great-barrier-reef-australia-must-act-urgently-on-water-quality-says-unesco |date=3 June 2017 }} The Guardian. Retrieved 3 June 2017</ref>

Climate change has implications for other forms of reef life{{snd}}some fish's preferred temperature range leads them to seek new habitat, thus increasing chick mortality in predatory seabirds. Climate change will also affect the sea turtle's population and available habitat.<ref name="GBRMPAclimatechange">{{cite web |author=Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority |url=http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science/climate_change |title=Climate change and the Great Barrier Reef |access-date=16 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208045117/http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science/climate_change |archive-date=8 December 2006 }}</ref>

Bleaching events in benthic coral communities (deeper than {{convert|20|m|ft|disp=or}}) in the Great Barrier reef are not as well documented as those at shallower depths, but recent research has shown that benthic communities are just as negatively impacted in the face of rising ocean temperatures. Five Great Barrier Reef species of large benthic corals were found bleached under elevated temperatures, affirming that benthic corals are vulnerable to thermal stress.<ref name="Schmidt">{{cite journal |last1=Schmidt |first1=C. |last2=Heinz |first2=P. |last3=Kucera |first3=M. |first4=Sven |last4=Uthicke |year=2011 |title=Temperature-induced stress leads to bleaching in larger benthic foraminifera hosting endosymbiotic diatoms |journal=Limnology and Oceanography |volume=56 |issue=5 |pages=1587–1602 |url=http://wap.aslo.org/lo/toc/vol_56/issue_5/1587.pdf |doi=10.4319/lo.2011.56.5.1587 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034652/http://wap.aslo.org/lo/toc/vol_56/issue_5/1587.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |bibcode=2011LimOc..56.1587S |s2cid=85648669 }}</ref>

=== Ocean Acidification ===
A threat for the Great Barrier Reef is the rising levels of [[ocean acidification]]. Ocean acidification occurs when excess atmospheric carbon dioxide gets absorbed into the ocean. This causes a decrease in the pH and this alters the chemistry of the ocean's water. This reduces the amount of aragonite, a key mineral for coral to grow, in the water. The Great Barrier Reef is predicted to lose aragonite at a rate of about 0.1 per decade this century.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mongin |first1=Mathieu |last2=Baird |first2=Mark E. |last3=Tilbrook |first3=Bronte |last4=Matear |first4=Richard J. |last5=Lenton |first5=Andrew |last6=Herzfeld |first6=Mike |last7=Wild-Allen |first7=Karen |last8=Skerratt |first8=Jenny |last9=Margvelashvili |first9=Nugzar |last10=Robson |first10=Barbara J. |last11=Duarte |first11=Carlos M. |last12=Gustafsson |first12=Malin S. M. |last13=Ralph |first13=Peter J. |last14=Steven |first14=Andrew D. L. |date=2016-02-23 |title=The exposure of the Great Barrier Reef to ocean acidification |journal=Nature Communications |language=en |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=10732 |doi=10.1038/ncomms10732 |issn=2041-1723 |pmc=4766391 |pmid=26907171}}</ref> The acidic water breaks down the materials that coral and shell building creatures need to grow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ocean Acidification |url=https://marinesanctuary.org/blog/ocean-acidification/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuou6BhDhARIsAIfgrn7QdHftg_yzHTz5Q93PsscrmoBqw1Q4--RBjLhDb3Tj4Ik8eKPrKX8aAtcFEALw_wcB |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=National Marine Sanctuary Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Pollution===
Another key threat faced by the Great Barrier Reef is [[Marine pollution|pollution]] and declining [[Water pollution|water quality]]. The rivers of north-eastern Australia pollute the Reef during tropical flood events. Over 90% of this pollution comes from farm [[Surface runoff|runoff]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2003 |url=http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/register/p01258bs.pdf |title=Coastal water quality |work=The State of the Environment Report Queensland 2003 |publisher=Environment Protection Agency Queensland |access-date=7 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614223713/http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/register/p01258bs.pdf |archive-date=14 June 2007 }}</ref> 80% of the land adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef is used for farming including intensive cropping of sugar cane, and major beef cattle grazing. Farming practices damage the reef due to [[overgrazing]], increased run-off of agricultural sediments, nutrients and chemicals including [[fertiliser]]s, [[herbicide]]s and [[pesticide]]s representing a major health risk for the coral and biodiversity of the reefs.<ref name="Human Impact on the Great Barrier Reef">{{cite web |title=Human Impact on the Great Barrier Reef - Pollution |url=http://sitemaker.umich.edu/gc2sec7labgroup3/pollution |publisher=University of Michigan |access-date=12 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429151658/http://sitemaker.umich.edu/gc2sec7labgroup3/pollution |archive-date=29 April 2013 }}</ref>

According to a 2016 report, while higher regulation contributes to less overall pollution from "other land uses, such as industrial, mining, port development, dredging and urban development", these can still be locally significant.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/109539/gbrwst-finalreport-2016.pdf |title=Final Report – Great Barrier Reef Water Science Taskforce |date=May 2016 |publisher=Queensland Government |page=16 |archive-date=21 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121054043/https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/109539/gbrwst-finalreport-2016.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Sediments containing high levels of copper and other heavy metals sourced from the [[Ok Tedi Mine]] in Papua New Guinea are a potential pollution risk for the far northern Great Barrier Reef and [[Torres Strait]] regions.<ref>Harris, P.T., 2001. "Environmental Management of Torres Strait: a Marine Geologist's Perspective", in: Gostin, V.A. (Ed.), ''Gondwana to Greenhouse: environmental geoscience – an Australian perspective''. Geological Society of Australia Special Publication, Adelaide, pp. 317–328</ref> Some 67% of corals died in the reef's worst-hit northern section, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies report said.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38127320 |title=Great Barrier Reef suffered worst bleaching on record in 2016, report finds |last=Griffith |first=Hywel |date=28 November 2016 |work=BBC News |access-date=28 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128131749/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38127320 |archive-date=28 November 2016 }}</ref>

====Loss of coastal wetland====
The runoff problem is exacerbated by the loss of coastal [[wetland]]s which act as a natural filter for toxins and help deposit sediment.<ref name=wetlands>{{cite web |author=Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority |title=Wetlands |url=http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/key_issues/water_quality/wetlands |access-date=13 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002034022/http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/key_issues/water_quality/wetlands |archive-date=2 October 2006 }}</ref><ref name="Brodie07">{{cite web |year=2007 |author=Brodie, J. |url=https://research.jcu.edu.au/tropwater/resources/06%2007%20Nutrient%20mgmt%20zones%20in%20the%20GBR%20catchment.pdf |title=Nutrient management zones in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment: A decision system for zone selection |publisher=Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research |access-date=14 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325202543/https://research.jcu.edu.au/tropwater/resources/06%2007%20Nutrient%20mgmt%20zones%20in%20the%20GBR%20catchment.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Australian Government Productivity Commission |year=2003 |title=Industries, Land Use and Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment – Key Points |url=http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/study/gbr/docs/finalreport/keypoints |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080816135937/http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/study/gbr/docs/finalreport/keypoints |archive-date=16 August 2008 |access-date=14 March 2009 }}</ref> It is thought that the poor water quality is due to increased light and oxygen [[Competition (biology)|competition]] from [[algae]].<ref name=waterquality>{{cite web |author=Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority |year=2006 |title=Principal water quality influences on Great Barrier Reef ecosystems |url=http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/key_issues/water_quality/principal_influences.html |access-date=22 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016155955/http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/key_issues/water_quality/principal_influences.html |archive-date=16 October 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Eutrophication====
Farming fertiliser runoff release [[nitrogen]], [[phosphorus]], and [[potassium]] into the oceanic ecosystem, and these [[limiting nutrient]]s cause massive algal growth which eventually leads to a reduction in oxygen available for other creatures in a process called [[eutrophication]]. This decreases the biodiversity in the affected areas, altering the [[species composition]]. A study by Katharina Fabricius and Glen Death of [[Australian Institute of Marine Science]] found that hard corals numbers were almost double on reefs that were far from agricultural areas.<ref name="Human Impact on the Great Barrier Reef"/>

Fertilizers also increase the amount of phytoplankton available for the crown-of-thorns starfish larvae to consume. A study showed that a doubling of the chlorophyll in the water leads to a tenfold increase in the crown-of-thorns starfish larvae's survival rate.<ref name="Human Impact on the Great Barrier Reef"/>

====Sediment runoff====
Sediment runoff from farming carries chemicals into the reef environment also reduces the amount of light available to the corals decreasing their ability to extract energy from their environment.<ref name="Human Impact on the Great Barrier Reef"/>

====Pesticides====
Pesticides used in farming are made up of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and other toxins are released into the wider environment due to erosion of farm soil, which has a detrimental effect on the coral.<ref name="Human Impact on the Great Barrier Reef"/>

====Pollution from mining====
Mining company Queensland Nickel discharged nitrate-laden water into the Great Barrier Reef in 2009 and 2011 – on the later occasion releasing {{convert|516|t}} of waste water. The [[Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority]] (GBRMPA) stated "We have strongly encouraged the company to investigate options that do not entail releasing the material to the environment and to develop a management plan to eliminate this potential hazard; however, GBRMPA does not have legislative control over how the Yabulu tailings dam is managed".<ref name="Clive Palmer's nickel refinery pumped toxic waste into Great Barrier Reef park">{{cite news |last=Milman |first=Oliver |title=Clive Palmer's nickel refinery pumped toxic waste into Great Barrier Reef park |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/12/cliver-palmers-nickel-refinery-pumped-nitrogen-great-barrier-reef-park |access-date=12 February 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223012657/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/12/cliver-palmers-nickel-refinery-pumped-nitrogen-great-barrier-reef-park |archive-date=23 February 2014 }}</ref>

===Crown of thorns===
[[File:CrownofThornsStarfish Fiji 2005-10-12.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Crown-of-thorns starfish]]]]
The [[crown-of-thorns starfish]] preys on coral polyps. Large outbreaks of these starfish can devastate reefs. In 2000, an outbreak contributed to a loss of 66% of live coral cover on sampled reefs in a study by the Reef Research Centre (RRC).<ref name="cots 1999-2000">{{cite web |url=http://www.reef.crc.org.au/publications/techreport/techrept32.htm |title=CRC Reef Research Centre Technical Report No. 32 – Crown-of-thorns starfish(Acanthaster planci) in the central Great Barrier Reef region. Results of fine-scale surveys conducted in 1999–2000 |access-date=7 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829092853/http://www.reef.crc.org.au/publications/techreport/techrept32.htm |archive-date=29 August 2007 }}</ref> Outbreaks are believed to occur in natural cycles, worsened by poor water quality and overfishing of the starfish's predators.<ref name="cots 1999-2000"/><ref>{{cite web |author=RRC Reef Research Centre |title=Crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef |url=http://www.reef.crc.org.au/publications/brochures/COTS_web_Nov2003.pdf |access-date=28 August 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060826192429/http://www.reef.crc.org.au//publications/brochures/COTS_web_Nov2003.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2006 }}</ref>

===Overfishing===
The unsustainable [[overfishing]] of [[keystone species]], such as the [[Triton (mollusk)|giant Triton]], can disrupt [[food chain]]s vital to reef life. Fishing also impacts the reef through increased water pollution from boats, [[by-catch]] of unwanted species (such as dolphins and turtles) and [[habitat destruction]] from [[trawling]], [[anchors]] and nets.<ref>{{cite web |author=CSIRO Marine Research |year=1998 |title=Environmental Effects of Prawn Trawling |url=http://www.marine.csiro.au/LeafletsFolder/26trawl/26.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125100359/http://www.marine.csiro.au/LeafletsFolder/26trawl/26.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2008 |access-date=28 May 2006 }}</ref> As of the middle of 2004, approximately one-third of the [[Great Barrier Reef Marine Park]] is protected from species removal of any kind, including fishing, without written permission.<ref>{{cite web |author=Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority |title=Marine Park Zoning |url=http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/management/zoning/index.html |access-date=8 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719173858/http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/management/zoning/index.html |archive-date=19 July 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Great barrier oil spill march 2010.JPG|thumb|The ''[[Shen Neng&nbsp;1]]'' aground on the Great Barrier Reef, 5 April 2010]]

===Shipping===
Shipping accidents are a pressing concern, as several commercial shipping routes pass through the Great Barrier Reef.<ref name="GBRMPAshipping">{{cite web |author=Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority |title=Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority :: Shipping |url=http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/key_issues/water_quality/shipping |access-date=13 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002045953/http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/key_issues/water_quality/shipping |archive-date=2 October 2006 }}</ref>
Although the route through the Great Barrier Reef is not easy, reef pilots consider it safer than outside the reef in the event of mechanical failure, since a ship can sit safely while being repaired.<ref name="reefdoco">''Reef Dreams: Working The Reef'' TV documentary, [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]], broadcast 6 July 2006 {{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/200607/programs/ZY6905A003D6072006T180400.htm |title=ABC Television (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) &#124; the complete TV guide for ABC TV, ABC TV Plus, ABC ME, ABC KIDS, ABC NEWS & iview |website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=23 October 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521090023/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/200607/programs/ZY6905A003D6072006T180400.htm |archive-date=21 May 2012 }}</ref> There have been over 1,600&nbsp;known shipwrecks in the Great Barrier Reef region.<ref>{{cite web |author=Environmental Protection Agency/Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services |title=About the Reef |url=http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/coast_and_oceans/great_barrier_reef/about_the_reef/ |access-date=23 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815194214/http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/coast_and_oceans/great_barrier_reef/about_the_reef/ |archive-date=15 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 3 April 2010, the [[Bulk carrier|bulk coal carrier]] {{ship||Shen Neng&nbsp;1}} ran aground on Douglas Shoals,<ref>{{cite web |title=Marine Safety Investigation Report – Preliminary – Independent investigation into the grounding of the Chinese registered bulk carrier Shen Neng&nbsp;1 at Douglas Shoal, Queensland, on 3 April 2010 |url=http://atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2010/mair/274-mo-2010-003.aspx |date=15 April 2010 |publisher=[[Australian Transport Safety Bureau]] |access-date=14 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523214126/http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2010/mair/274-mo-2010-003.aspx |archive-date=23 May 2010 }}</ref> [[2010 Great Barrier Reef oil spill|spilling up to four tonnes of oil]] into the water and causing extensive damage to the reef.<ref>{{cite news |title=Coal being removed at sea from stricken Shen Neng 1 carrier |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/coal-being-removed-at-sea-from-stricken-shen-neng-1-carrier/story-fn3dxity-1225865823693 |date=13 May 2010 |access-date=13 May 2011 |work=The Australian |publisher=News Ltd }}</ref>

===Shark culling===
{{main|Shark culling}}

The government of [[Queensland]] has a "shark control" program ([[shark culling]]) that deliberately kills sharks throughout Queensland, including in the Great Barrier Reef.<ref name="shark_culling">{{cite web |url=https://www.marineconservation.org.au/pages/shark-culling.html |title=Shark Culling |website=marineconservation.org.au |access-date=30 August 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002102324/https://www.marineconservation.org.au/pages/shark-culling.html |archive-date=2 October 2018 }}</ref><ref name="ntd">{{cite web |url=https://www.ntd.tv/2018/09/04/video-endangered-hammerhead-sharks-dead-on-drum-line-in-great-barrier-reef/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919094449/https://www.ntd.tv/2018/09/04/video-endangered-hammerhead-sharks-dead-on-drum-line-in-great-barrier-reef/ |archive-date=19 September 2018 |last=Phillips |first=Jack |date=4 September 2018 |title=Video: Endangered Hammerhead Sharks Dead on Drum Line in Great Barrier Reef |website=ntd.tv |access-date=30 August 2019 }}</ref> Environmentalists{{who|date=September 2024}} and scientists{{clarify|How many?|date=September 2024}} say that this program harms the [[marine ecosystem]]; they also say it is "outdated, cruel and ineffective".<ref name="ntd"/> The Queensland "shark control" program uses [[shark nets]] and [[drum line (shark control)|drum lines with baited hooks]] to kill sharks in the Great Barrier Reef – there are 173 lethal drum lines in the Great Barrier Reef.<ref name="shark_culling"/><ref name="ntd"/><ref name="maritime">"[https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/queensland-government-kills-sharks-faces-court-challenge Queensland Government Kills Sharks, Faces Court Challenge]". The Maritime Executive. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2019. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904151759/https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/queensland-government-kills-sharks-faces-court-challenge |date=4 September 2018 }}.</ref> In Queensland, sharks found alive on the baited hooks are shot.<ref>One Green Planet. "[http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/brutal-lengths-australia-going-order-keep-sharks-away-tourists/ Heartbreaking Photos Show the Brutal Lengths Australia Is Going to In Order to 'Keep Sharks Away From Tourists']". Kelly Wang. Retrieved 30 August 2019. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224053530/https://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/brutal-lengths-australia-going-order-keep-sharks-away-tourists/ |date=24 December 2020 }}.</ref> Queensland's "shark control" program killed about 50,000 sharks from 1962 to 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/aussie-shark-population-is-staggering-decline/news-story/49e910c828b6e2b735d1c68e6b2c956e |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223022115/https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/aussie-shark-population-is-staggering-decline/news-story/49e910c828b6e2b735d1c68e6b2c956e |archive-date=23 December 2018 |title=Aussie shark population in staggering decline |website=NewsComAu |date=14 December 2018 |access-date=30 August 2019 |first1=Rhian |last1=Deutrom }}</ref> Also, Queensland's "shark control" program has also killed many other animals (such as [[dolphins]] and [[turtles]]){{snd}}the program killed 84,000 marine animals from 1962 to 2015, including in the Great Barrier Reef.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.afd.org.au/news-articles/queenslands-shark-control-program-has-snagged-84000-animals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224053505/https://www.afd.org.au/news-articles/queenslands-shark-control-program-has-snagged-84000-animals |archive-date=24 December 2020 |website=Action for Dolphins |title=Queensland's Shark Control Program Has Snagged 84,000 Animals |first1=Thom |last1=Mitchell |date=20 November 2015 |access-date=30 August 2019 }}</ref> In 2018, [[Humane Society International]] filed a lawsuit against the government of Queensland to stop shark culling in the Great Barrier Reef.<ref name="maritime"/>