The top five perceived threats to the have changed significantly between 2003 and 2007, from fishing (both recreational and commercial) in 2003 to climate change and coral bleaching in 2007. Agricultural run-off and oil spills are perceived to be less of a threat in 2007 than in 2003, whereas general human impact is perceived to be more of a threat in 2007. The level of concern with tourism as a threat to the GBR has declined slightly between 1999 and 2007, but remains the fourth most important threat in 2007. Respondents have become slightly less concerned with crown of thorn outbreaks between 1999 and 2007. Indigenous hunting is perceived to be a threat by only 10% of Australians.

Graphs generated using data from Green et al. (1999), Norris et al. (2003) and Young and Temperton (2007).

  Top 10 threats to the GBR as described by Queensland coastal residents (Office of Economic and Statistical Research, 2007)

Citation and/or URL

Young, J. & Temperton, J. 2007. Measuring community attitudes and awareness towards the Great Barrier Reef 2007, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Research Report #, Townsville, Australia.

Norris, A. Moscardo, G. & McCoy, A. 2003. Recreational use of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, unpublished.

Green, D., Moscardo, G., Greenwood, T., Pearce, P., Arthur, M., Clark, A., & Woods, B. 1999.  'Understanding Public Perceptions of the Great Barrier Reef and its Management'. CRC Reef Research Centre Technical Report No. 29. ; CRC Reef Research Centre, Townsville, pp 64.

Office of Economic and Statistical Research (2007). June 2007 Queensland Household Survey Summary Report, prepared for Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia) 6 September 2007, Office of the Government Statistician, Queensland Government: Brisbane (p.14).

Spatial Coverage

Australia wide and Queensland Coast

Temporal Coverage

1999-2007

Update Frequency

Not applicable

Other Information

Respondents were asked the following question:

Young and Temperton (2007): What do you think is causing the greatest threat to the GBR? (prompted and unprompted - both visitor and non-visitors).

Norris et al. (2003): Thinking about the GBR, what do you think are the three most serious threats to the reef? (both visitor and non-visitors). 

Green et al. (1999), : Now I am going to read out a number of things, which have been suggested as having negative impacts on the Great Barrier Reef. Could you give each of them a score in terms of how big an impact you believe each one has on the Great Barrier Reef. (both visitor and non-visitors)