The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park at a length of over 2,300km long and covering an area of 345,400 square kilometres is the largest marine park in the world. It is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and is home to thousands of plants and animals. The Great Barrier Reef is made up of a combination of islands, sand cays and reef systems. The reef we see today is about 10,000 years old, and continues to grow very slowly. It is also on the World Heritage list since 1981 which recognizes its significance to the world community, and is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Here are some of the facts about The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park:
- There are approximately 1,500 species of fish.
- Home to about 350 species of hard coral and about one third of soft corals found world wide.
- There are 30 species of cetaceans, that's whales and dolphins, living in the Park at different times of the year.
- We have 6 species of marine turtle living on the reef (there are only 7 species in the world).
- Above the water there are 22 species of sea birds living and breeding on the islands in the Marine Park.
- Over 5,000 species of molluscs (clams, snails etc.) have made this their home.
- Thousands of different sponges, worms, crustaceans (crabs, shrimp etc.), echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers etc.).
- Dugongs nest in the sheltered seagrass beds.
- Over 2,900 reefs.
- About 600 islands and 300 coral/sand cays.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park provides an endless opportunity to learn and to explore its amazing diversity and complexity.
