Great Barrier Reef Maintains its Status off UNESCO’s Endangered List

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef system continues facing threats due to climate change and pollution, though a UNESCO heritage committee chose not to list the site as endangered this year due to the Australian government’s efforts to help minimize the impact humans have on the important ocean ecosystem this week.

According to Reuters, the decision was made Tuesday after a new report signaled the Australian government was doing its due diligence to protect the reef, investing A$1.2 billion in preservation programs.

In 2021, UNESCO made a suggestion that the site be placed under the List of World Heritage in Danger, prompting a global response.

Since then, the Australian government committed to a few important steps to preserve the site, which generates $4 billion each year and supports 64,000 jobs — as well as millions of sea creatures, some of which are endemic or endangered.

The plans range from banning fishing across a third of the site by the end of 2024 and banning gill net fishing by 2027, to improving water quality by reducing pollutants that are sent into the ocean and reaching better CO2 emissions reductions targets.

“The draft decision cites ‘significant progress’ being made on climate change, water quality, and sustainable fishing – all putting the reef on a stronger and more sustainable path,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said during a media briefing.

The reef will be investigated once again around February 2024, when the Australian government is required to publish a progress report.