There are many issues which govern the management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. These are issues of industry use, conservation and accessibility and are governed by the Authority's goal:

…to provide for the protection, wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef in perpetuity…

To ensure that this goal is achievable, GBRMPA itself has been structured around the four main critical issues identified for the conservation and continued use of the Reef.

These critical issues are:

• Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships
• Tourism & Recreation
• Water Quality & Coastal Development
• Fisheries

In recent years there have been numerous instances where the Australian Government and/or GBRMPA has acted quickly and decisively to address threats to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Examples of such actions are given the brochure 'Protecting the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area' published in November 1999.

The current management arrangements for the Great Barrier Reef clearly enables Australia to meet its international obligations under the World Heritage Convention. However the Australian Government is aware that the pressures in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area are dynamic and changing and will continue to take initiatives to ensure the Area is well protected and well managed and passed on to future generations retaining its World Heritage values.