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The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef. The reef is located off the coast of Queensland in north-east Australia. It stretches over 2000 kilometres in length and can be seen from space.
The Great Barrier Reef is a large system of about 900 islands and over 3000 coral reefs, which mostly lie some distance from the mainland coastline. Due to its vast biodiversity, warm clear waters and its accessibility from the floating guest facilities called 'live aboards', the reef is a very popular destination for tourists, especially scuba divers. Many cities along the Queensland coast offer boat trips to the reef on a daily basis. Several continental islands have been turned into resorts.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects a large part of Australia's Great Barrier Reef from activities that would damage it. Fishing and the removal of artifacts or wildlife (fish, coral, sea shells etc) is strictly regulated, and commercial shipping traffic must stick to certain specific defined shipping routes that avoid the most sensitive areas of the park.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) are the administrators of the park. They issue licences for use of the restricted areas of the park, inspect these areas for illegal use and maintain public moorings etc. GBRMPA is financed partly by a tax levied on the permit-holders passengers.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
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