Climate change: Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification and increasing frequency of severe weather events are all taking a toll on the reef.
Overfishing: Fishing, both legal and illegal, is depleting fish stocks and damaging the reef ecosystem.
Coastal development: Development along the coast of Queensland is increasing sediment runoff and pollution, which can smother coral and damage the reef.
Shipping: Shipping traffic can release pollutants, damage coral and cause shipwrecks, all of which can harm the reef.
Crown-of-thorns starfish: This starfish feeds on coral and can cause extensive damage to the reef.
