When you are inspired to help save the Great Barrier Reef you’re helping it remain “great” for generations to come.
We’ve collated some simple ways we can all help preserve our beautiful Reef while visiting the Whitsundays and when going about our everyday lives.
Protecting the Great Barrier Reef has far reaching effects
If there is one good thing to come out of the mass movement to help save the Great Barrier Reef, it’s that it minimises and inspires an individual’s environmental actions. Those who are inspired to help protect the reef, are no doubt inspired to bring about positive environmental change in their communities.
Saving the Great Barrier Reef is not just about, well, saving the reef. It’s about thinking of the bigger picture, about how our actions impact our local environment and about how a movement to save one treasure can show what’s possible across the globe.
As Australians, we are custodians of the Great Barrier Reef. Each one of us can do simple things to reduce negative impacts on the Reef and our oceans.
15 ways you can help save the Great Barrier Reef
- The best thing you can do to help save the Reef is to visit it. We believe it’s important to look at what’s working on the Reef and what we can cherish. Embodying a positive mindset can inspire people to be involved and take positive action.
- Charter or book with tourism operators who have EcoTourism Australia certifications or an Earth Check certification.
- Look at supporting one of the Great Barrier Reef action groups which lobby to protect the Reef. We can recommend the Marine Conservation Society.
- Share what you see: Visitors and tourism operators can help through the Eye on the Reef program which includes an app that can be downloaded to record and relay marine wildlife and coral observations back to GBRMPA.
- Get social and share your experiences through hash-tagging Instagram pictures with #thisisqueensland @Queensland #seeaustralia @Australia #ilovewhitsundays
- Join citizens science group Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, an organisation whose mission is to protect and conserve reefs around the world.
- Follow the Three R’s – Reduce, Recycle, Reuse and try to make sustainable choices as you go about your life.
- Plastics are damaging to the marine environment. They can entangle marine life and contain harmful chemicals that concentrate pollutants. Implement these four simple plastic waste reduction tips:
* Bring your own reusable bags, #banishthebag
* Say “no thanks” to plastic straws #holdthestraw
* Bring your own bottle and bring your own coffee cup #BYOB
* Buy food with less packaging - When sailing or fishing in areas with a reef, anchor away from corals on a sandy bottom. Most places in the Whitsundays will provide moorings if there is a fragile reef at the anchorage. We have an article on mooring and anchoring in the Whitsundays which is worth checking out.
- Consume sustainable seafood. There are several apps which can help you make sustainable seafood choices.
* Australian Marine Conservation Society’s Sustainable Seafood 3-Step Pocket Guide “Good Fish” (Australia & New Zealand)
* Marine Conservation Society’s Pocket Good Fish Guide (UK & Europe)
* Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Pocket Guide (US & Canada) - Abide by local fishing regulations and closed seasons. When fishing in the Whitsundays there are zones subject to specific terms enforced by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and there is a closed season to protect coral trout.
- Replace household cleaners and detergents with chlorine and phosphate-free products and avoid chemical pesticides in your garden.
- Reduce fossil fuel emissions: Drive less – walk, cycle, skate, use public transport, combine errands, car-share and offset your emissions.
- Visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and pay a daily $6 levy which is going towards funding research and conservation.
- Learn about the CoTS control program and sponsor a Crown of Thorns Starfish Diver.
It’s not all bad
It’s not all dyer, there are some parts of the Reef which are thriving. In fact, not going to experience the Great Barrier reef in all her glory because you think it’s dead will impact the Reef’s conservation efforts greatly. The Reef needs ecotourism to help raise awareness, inspire change and keep an industry around conservation firmly in the Australian economic spotlight.
Fridging Reef in the Whitsundays
The outer Great Barrier Reef is a two-hour boat ride from the Whitsunday Islands. You can experience the Reef while on a bareboat charter by arranging a private Sea Plane tour to pick you up from your boat or you can simply enjoy the Fridging Reefs which sit around the Whitsunday Islands.
Hook Island is one of the best islands in the Whitsundays for snorkelling and experiencing the local fridging parts of the Great Barrier Reef.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Whitsundays and pointing to the best spots to enjoy the incredible underwater world of the fridging reefs in the Whitsundays.
Join us, sail the Whitsundays and enjoy the Freedom to Explore
Contact us 1800 075 000 or sales@rentayacht.com.au
