History of the Great Barrier Reef
The Reef Research Centre, one of the key bodies of Australian scientific research, has discovered old coral skeletons that date back as far as half a million years ago. They concluded that corals have been forming in the area for as long as 25 million years, but they have not formed coral colonies. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority estimates that the present-day reef structure is around 6,000 to 8,000 years old. They believe that the reefs grew atop of the stony skeletons of previous coral colonies and were formed around 6000 to 20000 years ago as the sea level increased continuously. During those times, the water level was 120 m. lesser than the current sea level and the area that formed the Great Barrier Reef was a seaside plain with a few hills (some of which were remnants of older reefs).
The increase of the water level caused the corals to form higher on the coastal plain hills - resulting in a deposit of layer upon layer of corals. Around 13,000 years ago, the water level again increased (60 m. lower today) causing more corals to grow even higher then the continental island. As the sea level further rose, the continental islands started to submerge. As an effect, an abundant number of corals formed through time, forming the current cays and reefs. Water levels on the Great Barrier Reef have not increased in the last 6,000 years, though.
In the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef, reef structures (deltaic reefs and ribbon reefs) not found within the Great Barrier Reef were discovered. In addition, remnants of an older barrier reef similar were found in Kimberley, a region of Western Australia.
First Discovery and Management
On June 11, 1770, Captain James Cook was the first European who explored the region. His journey on board the HM Bark Endeavour took him to the North Queensland coast where the Great Barrier Reef is located. But the discovery didn't come without a price - the ship had a difficult time navigating the reef's waterways even though the Australian Aboriginal people has already utilised The Great Barrier Reef long before Europeans settled in the country. They used the Barrier Reef not only as their source of food but also as apart of their traditional culture for more than 40,000 to 60,000 years ago.
After the World War II, Fishing and pearl hunting industries flourished and the appreciation of the Great Barrier Reef sparked tourism both domestically and internationally. An international airport was built in 1984 and tourism flourished since then.
In 1975, the Australian government founded the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to ensure that the reef is preserved and safe from abuse and other threats. And in 1981, the Great Barrier Reef was listed as one of the World's Heritage Area resulting in a stricter protection. In addition, the Australian government with the partnership of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority stipulated rules and regulation like zoning, permits and management plans to ensure the sustainable growth and conservation of this wonderful natural attraction. That is the reason why in July 2004, protected reef areas increased from 4.5% to over 33.3% -- one of the highest protected areas in the world.
