GREAT BARRIER REEF...The Essay Assignment Help 3 1. Introduction The Great barrier reef (GBR) is one...

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GREAT BARRIER REEF

(A report about the great barrier reef)

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 3

2. Analysis of the situation and issues........................................................................ 3

2.1 Current environmental situation ........................................................................ 3

2.2 Main stakeholders ............................................................................................. 7

2.2.1 GBR marine park authority ......................................................................... 7

2.2.2 Queensland parks and wildlife services ...................................................... 8

2.2.3 Association of Marine park tourism operators ............................................. 8

2.2.4 Ecotourism Australia ................................................................................... 9

2.2.5 Great barrier reef foundation ....................................................................... 9

2.2.6 Queensland government ............................................................................ 9

2.3 Environmental issues ...................................................................................... 10

3. Discussion ............................................................................................................ 10

3.1 Tragedy of the commons theory ..................................................................... 10

3.2 Tragedy of the GBR ........................................................................................ 11

3.2.1 Stakeholders ............................................................................................. 12

3.2.2 Issues ....................................................................................................... 13

3.2.3 Ethics ........................................................................................................ 13

3.3 Businesses’ rights on GBR resources ............................................................. 14

3.4 Non-human rights on GBR resources ............................................................. 14

3.5 Environmental group’s rights on GBR resources ............................................ 14

4. Recommendations and reflections ....................................................................... 15

4.1 Environmental issues mitigation ...................................................................... 15

4.2 Main issues ..................................................................................................... 15

4.3 Future of the GBR ........................................................................................... 15

5. Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 16

References ............................................................................................................... 17


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1. Introduction

The Great barrier reef(GBR) is one of the valuable resources not only for Australia

but also for the world. It had been recognized as the world heritage site by the

UNESCO in 1981. However, it is seen that certain economic developments in recent

times had made the environment very risky for the coral reefs. One of the biggest

threats is climate change, and due to it, the coral bleaching is increasing. Scientists

had even observed the surface temperature of the coral reefs had increased by

0.8⁰C, and this had led to certain extreme conditions like cyclones (Australian

government 2019). In addition, there is the problem of oceanic acidification that had

raised the levels of atmospheric CO2. The purpose of the report is to analyze the

situation around the GBR from a business perspective and to further discuss the

ethical theories and the Tragedy of the commons. Moreover, there would be an

analysis of the situation, critical discussion of the theory and some recommendations

would be given to sort out the issues.

Figure 1: Poor health of the GBR

(Source: Cox & Morton 2019)

2. Analysis of the situation and issues

2.1 Current environmental situation

The condition of the GBR had deteriorated drastically, and this had created a

massive warning to the Queensland authority to take quick steps to sort out the


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issues. The report published by the authority of the GBR had found that the condition

of the coral reefs had been in a bad shape. This had led to the huge habitat loss, and

there had been degradation affecting the quality of life of the fishes, seabirds and

many more. There had been reports on the rising sea temperatures due to the

climate change, and this had created a vast coral bleaching (Australian government

2019). Coral bleaching mainly happens due to mining or drilling operations to extract

fuels. This had created global warming, and due to this, the water of the oceans is

getting heated up, which is bleaching the corals and making them die.

Figure 2: Deterioration of the GBR

(Source: Smee 2018)

Another problem behind the decline of the coral reef is that the corals are smothered

and this prevents them from getting any sunlight (Smee 2018). This enhanced the

rate of more bleaching and had led to the nitrogen runoff. Due to this, the nitrogen

present in the fertilizers had run off into the waterways leading to the growth of the

thorn starfish which had contributed to the 40% loss of the coral reefs on the GBR. In

addition, it could be even said that the governance in the reef had been very weaker,


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and due to this, overfishing had enhanced, thereby affecting the surroundings

present nearby (Australian government 2019).

Figure 3: GBR’s bad condition

(Source: Australian Institute of Marine Science 2019)

The industrialization had even increased, which might be enhanced the shipping

traffic thereby disturbing the marine environment of the GBR. Due to the overfishing

activities, the marine environment is not as safe as some of the dugongs and

dolphins are not safe. This showcases that the fishery management in the GBR is


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fragile and that is affecting the life of the species of the Queensland. In addition, the

seagrass meadows are in terrible condition. In fact, a report published on the internal

state of the reefs had found that the water quality is rated as D grade, which shows

the water condition is too bad (Wooldridge & Brodie 2015). This might be due to the

ineffective land management practices taken by the local farmers.

The primary issue is land runoff. This mainly happens due to ineffective

management practices in the agriculture sector (Foxwell-Norton & Lester2017, p.

570). Due to this, surface runoff had enhanced, and essential nutrients like nitrogen

and phosphorus had disturbed the balance of the reef systems. One of the impacts

is that the water bodies nearer to the GBR are devoid of the essential nutrients, and

they are not able to grow. As a result, the coral reefs are not able to grow correctly,

and this could signal the collapse of one of the national heritages of Australia. This

had led to the decline of the coral reefs of the GBR by 10%. The condition of the

reefs is not in good shape.

Figure 4: Threats faced by GBR

(Source: WWF 2019)

The reefs of the central part of the GBR had suffered a significant loss, and this

could be seen from the reduction of its coral cover by 2% in 2019. The reason for

such a decline had been due to the rapid rate of mass coral bleaching that had

deteriorated the condition of the reefs of the GBR. The situation is similar in the


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southern part of the GBR, where the coral cover had declined from 25% to 24%

(WWF 2019). This drop is mainly due to the reduction of the hard-coral cover.

However, the northern region did not show any sign of significantdamage as there

hadbeen an increase in the hard-coral cover.

Figure 5: GBR facing issues at the central portion

(Source: Australian Institute of Marine Science 2019)

2.2 Main stakeholders

The GBR is one of the prestigious national heritages of Australia and to preserve

and conserve it some stakeholders play a significant role. Some of them are –

2.2.1 GBR marine park authority

The GBR marine park authority is responsible for maintaining the marine park of the

GBR and the heritage area. The authority had released specific regulations so that

the national heritage sites could be protected (Lønborg et al. 2019, p. 28). This body

takes up some strong steps to protect the marine park. In addition, this body works

with other stakeholders to deliver the best tourism facility to the tourists, along with

the maintenance of the reefs of GBR.


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Figure 6: GBR marine park authority

(Source: Queensland tourism 2019)

2.2.2 Queensland parks and wildlife services

This body manages, preserves, protects the surrounding areas of the Queensland,

which sometimes engage with the GBR marine park authority to protect the GBR

through the field management programmes. The body also plays a major role in

delivering the requisite facilities to tourism recreational purposes.

Figure 7: Queensland parks and wildlife services


2.2.3 Association of Marine park tourism operators

This institution plays a significant role in the management of the marine tourism of

the GBR. It gets some assistance from the state ministers to preserve the reef. It

even works with the GBR marine park authority to safeguard the reef (Queensland

tourism 2019).


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Figure 8: Association of Marine park tourism operators


2.2.4 Ecotourism Australia

This is the national body of Australia for preserving the ecotourism activities which

works with the experienced members to deliver better performances to preserve the

reefs. It works in close association with the GBR marine park authority to conserve

the reef (Australian government 2019).

Figure 9: Ecotourism Australia


2.2.5 Great barrier reef foundation

This is the lead charity in preserving the GBR. It uses real-time solutions and

innovations to maintain and protect the reefs.

Figure 10: Great barrier reef foundation



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2.2.6 Queensland government

The government works with severalstakeholders to maintain and manage the Great

barrier reef in sucha manner so that it remains as one of the significant national

treasures for Queensland.

Figure 11: Logo of Queensland government


2.3 Environmental issues

The reef is facing a massive challenge from the climate changes that are reducing

the lifetime of the coral reefs of the GBR. There had been severe changes in the

surroundings of the GBR due to the floods, which are affecting the ecosystems. In

addition, marine debris is affecting the biodiversity of marine lives. Due to the climate

change, there had been additional pressures on the reef conditions which had

degraded the lifetime of the coral reefs. From 2016 to 2017, there had been a rise of

coral bleaching, and due to this, 80% of the reefs had been damaged very severely

(Australian Institute of Marine Science 2019). In addition, the increase in the coastal

expansion of the beaches due to the overfishing activities could impact the lifetime of

the reefs. This had created a very difficult condition for the reefs as the coral reefs

are unable to grow due to the land runoff which had washed the nitrogen and

phosphorus from the marine cover. Therefore, the environment of the GBR is being

affected very severely, and the port expansion is creating a massive problem for the

seafloors.

3. Theoretical framework

3.1 Tragedy of the commons theory

The Tragedy of the commons theoryis an economic theory which results in

overconsumption of the natural resources, thereby affecting the neighbouring areas


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(Dell’Angelo et al. 2017, p. 10). This leads to the overfishing activities, which takes

primarily on such an area which do not have any restrictions. As a result, the

environment could be severely affected. Therefore, people must maintain the

environment because too much fishing activities could affect marine biodiversity.

This mainly happens when there is an open land where there are no restrictions, and

this led to the overconsumption of the land, thereby affecting the environment

(Marshall et al. 2018, p. 273). Environmental ethics is one of the moral obligations for

the people to preserve nature. The situation is similar to the GBR where farmers and

fisheries are using the land, and as there are no restrictions, the people could

perform fishing efficiently. As a result, the people of the Queensland and other

stakeholders should have the responsibility to protect the areas (Smith et al. 2017, p.

1999). The government should take an essential part in this matter so that the

national crisis could be mitigated accordingly.

Figure 12: Tragedy of the commons theory

(Source: Dell’Angelo et al. 2017, p. 10)

3.2 Tragedy of the GBR

The GBR is one of the prestigious national heritage sites in Australia. However, due

to the climate changes in nature, there had been a rise of coral bleaching. The coral

bleaching had been in the rise since 1988, where about 50% of the coral reefs are

being damaged. This coral bleaching is due to the rise in temperature, which had


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remained for about eight weeks, and this had raised the temperature of the water

leading to global warming. The danger is that the crown of thorns had led to the

damage of 40% of the coral cover (Turner 2017). The crown of thorns is a deadly

bred of starfish that feeds on the reefs, thereby damaging them. There had been a

huge loss of shallow reef by 29%. In addition, the tourist activities like driving on the

reefs affecting the marine ecosystems of the coral, sharks and whales. From this

perspective, it could be seen that the GBR is in a huge tragedy.

Figure 13: Tragedy of the GBR

(Source: Turner 2017)

3.2.1 Stakeholders

From the Tragedy of the commons theory, it is seen that the overfishing activities

had been increased to a considerable height. As a result, the nearby surroundings of

the marine life are being affected very badly. This is due to the inefficientfishing

activities of the fisheries, and this had endangered the species of dugongs, turtles

and many more. Therefore, there should be proper management of the fishing by the

Queensland government where it works with several stakeholders to maintain and


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manage the Great barrier reef (Goldberg et al. 2018, p. 19). In addition, there should

be a good collaboration between Association of Marine park tourism operators

and GBR marine park authority so that the marine life remains protected. The

authority had released specific regulations so that the national heritage sites could

be protected.

3.2.2 Issues

The surface runoff is one of the major issues which is happening due to the

overfishing activities. This had led to the runoff of the soil, thereby depriving the

marine life of the essential nutrients of nitrogen and phosphorus. As a result, the

marine animals are being suffered from the fishing activities, which is creating a

massive challenge to the dugongs, sharks and many more (Cox&Morton 2019).

During the period of 2016 to 2017, there had been a rise of coral bleaching, and due

to this, 80% of the reefs had been damaged very severely. In addition, the

overfishing activities could damage the condition of the reefs and makes it even

harder for the authority to manage and preserve the biodiversity.

Figure 14: Issues faced at GBR

(Source: Cox&Morton 2019)

3.2.3 Ethics


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The people of Queensland and other stakeholders should have the responsibility to

protect the areas. The government should take an important part in this matter so

that the national crisis could be mitigated accordingly (Perry 2017). Another

important thing is that the GBR promotes to a wider range of tourist activities and so,

the local administration should preserve the heritage sites.

3.3 Businesses’ rights on GBR resources

The businesses try to use the natural resources for theirbenefits, but they should try

to recognize the cash value of the systems in the GBR so that the risks in the value

chain could be minimized. However, the businesses should take it as their primary

responsibility to use certain innovations to preserve the natural resources (Glass,

2019). In this aspect, Kant’s theory could be used which states that the right or

wrong of an action does not depend on the results but on the fact that the business

had performed its obligations (DiCenso 2019, p. 32). The businesses that operate in

the nearby regions of the GBR are not able to fulfil its environmental ethics, and so,

the government should take up some concrete steps to create a penalty on the

businesses to make them run properly (Van Putten et al. 2016, p. 1420).

3.4 Non-human rights on GBR resources

The non-human is the aquatic species which are facing a serious situation where,

due to climate changes, there is coral bleaching. This had affected the life of the

aquatic animals on the coral reefs. From this aspect, Kant’s theory could be used,

which states that the right or wrong of an action does not depend on the results but

on the fact that the business had performed its obligations. As per this theory, the

activities on the GBR should be limited to some level so that the marine life is

preserved.

3.5 Environmental group’s rights on GBR resources

Some environmental groups, like the Australian conservation foundation

(ACF)play a vital role in forcing the federal agency to take up certain steps to

preserve the natural resources (Bowden 2019).From Kant’s theory, it could be seen

that the organization should think of the moral obligations in protecting the

environment in places closer to the GBR. This could be seen that the climate

changes in recent times had led to the coral bleaching, which had affected the

development of the reefs (Esparon et al. 2015, p. 710). As a result, the


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environmental groups like ACF should play a major role along with other

environmentalists so that the GBR resources remain preserved accordingly.


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4. Recommendations and reflections

4.1 Environmental issues mitigation

One of the major challenges to the environment is that global warming is increasing

and it could be seen from the sudden surge in sea surface temperature by 0.8⁰C. As

a result, there are chances of coral bleaching, which affects the life of the coral reefs.

In addition, the GBR marine park authority should be modified so that the

management service of it could be optimized. It is seen that the coral reefs are

damaged mainly due to the buildup of the crown of thorns starfish and to mitigate

them. The marine park authority should modify the starfish management

programmes (Deloitte, 2019). In addition, there should be a well-designed control

program so that there are lower chances of growth of crown of thorn starfish. The oil

industry in Australia tries to take up oil from the water bodies through means of

drilling. However, due to the drilling operations, there is huge damage to the coral

reefs, and this presents a danger for the existence of the coral reefs. Therefore, the

marine park authority should try to stop or slow down the extraction that is going on

in the Australia reefs so that the corals are not affected very badly. I think it is the

responsibility of the marine park authority so that it could collaborate with the other

stakeholdersto preserve the natural resources around the coral reefs. The actions

should be made as per the starfish management programmes so that the coral reefs

remain conserved and preserved.

4.2 Main issues

Climate change is the main issue that is taking place in the coral reefs of the GBR,

and this had affected the quality of the reefs. Due to climate change, the temperature

of the reefs had increased by some amount leading to the growth of coral bleaching.

This coral bleaching is affecting the life of the coral reefs. In addition, the reefs

should be monitored so that the current conditions of it is seen accordingly (Pandolfi

2016). I think that the marine park had been successful in reducing the energy intake

by upgrading the filter systems in the Aquarium. In addition, using the generators

which are run by solar power instead of the diesel would try to reduce the carbon

consumption to some extent. Moreover, I think that there should be some

programmes that would give extra incentives to the businesses for reducing the

climate footprint.


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4.3 Future of the GBR

I think the future of the GBR is not so strong and might vanish beforehand. Some

officials had even claimed that the surface temperature of the sea had risen by a

huge amount and this had led the coral bleaching. In addition, the rate of predatory

starfishes is rising , and this is creating a huge challenge for the reefs to sustain and

thrive in such a situation. The health of the coral reefs is not in good condition, and it

is deteriorating due to the overfishing, habitat loss and poor water quality of the

GBR. In a short period, the reefs had faced bleaching very frequently, which had

killed lots of reefs. In addition, the cyclones during the past two years had affected

about 80% of the reefs. I think that the marine park community should collaborate

with its stakeholders according to the UNESCO to preserve the GBR.


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5. Conclusion

The GBR is one of the prestigious natural heritage in Australia, but in recent times,

due to the climate change, there had been huge problems which had questioned its

survival. The issues that the GBR are facing included the land runoff, climate

changes and overfishing activities which had created a tragedy. This had been

explained with the help of Tragedy of the commons theory which states that the

people use the land of the GBR in an unrestricted manner where the use of the land

should be limited to some extent as a means of environmental, ethical obligations as

a suggested by the Kant’s ethical theory.Some environmental groups like the

Australian conservation foundation (ACF) play a vital role in forcing the federal

agency to take up certain steps to preserve natural resources. From the entire

report, it could be seen that the marine park authority should be modified so that the

coral reefs do not face many predatory starfishes and using solar generators instead

of diesel-run devices.


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