Reef Essentials

The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area consists of the world's largest system of coral reefs together with the lagoon, seagrass, mangrove and estuarine communities. This video provides a basic understanding on how the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is managed, how to conduct activities in the most environmentally responsible manner through Best Environmental Practices; and the most commonly asked questions and answers. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act was passed in 1975 by the Commonwealth Government. In 1981, the Great Barrier Reef and adjacent reefs were listed as a world heritage area.