The Great Barrier Reef is recognised worldwide for its unique habitats and biological diversity, providing homes and food for thousands of different species. The Reef is a place for every living thing to enjoy and use, including us. But we need to use the Reef wisely, to protect the animals and plants that live there and their habitats, and to ensure our future enjoyment of the Reef.

However, the Great Barrier Reef is under pressure from everything we do — in the water and on the land nearby. These activities include:

• coastal development
• land use
• shipping
• tourism
• fishing

Because of increasing pressure, many marine species are now rare or threatened. For example, over the past 30-40 years there has been a 70 decline in the numbers of Loggerhead turtles, over a 90% decline in dugong numbers along the urban coast of Queensland, and evidence of local declines in fisheries. There has also been an increasing number of coral bleaching events and increasing pollutant loads.

We need to protect the Great Barrier Reef's diverse habitats and living creatures now — before it's too late. To do this, we've developed many different strategies addressing issues such as water quality, tourism and recreation, and fishing.

One of the programs that we've developed is called the Representative Areas Program. This program helps to protect the biodiversity within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area by protecting areas of the Reef that 'represent' different habitats and communities. Click on the link below to find out more about this important program.