10 Major Threats to the Great Barrier Reef: From Climate Change to Overfishing

1. Climate Change: Rising seas cause coral bleaching, mortality.
2. Water Pollution: Agricultural runoff, sewage, sediments fuel algal blooms.
3. Coastal Development: Habitat fragmentation, increased pollution.
4. Overfishing & Destructive Practices: Blast fishing, bycatch disrupt food webs.
5. Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Outbreaks: Coral predation exacerbated by nutrient enrichment.
6. Shipping & Dredging: Oil spills, physical damage, port expansion.
7. Tourism Pressure: Irresponsible diving, anchoring, overcrowding.
8. Biodiversity Loss: Cascading declines in corals, fish, turtles, mammals.
9. Ocean Acidification: Weakens coral skeletons, slows growth.
10. Illegal Activities: Poaching, coral mining, aquarium trade collection.

Addressing these requires global cooperation, sustainable practices, and strong enforcement.