UNESCO Keeps Great Barrier Reef Off Endangered List

Australia welcomed UNESCO's draft decision not to list the Great Barrier Reef as an endangered world heritage site, despite the fact that the world's largest coral ecosystem has been repeatedly hit by mass coral bleaching in recent years.

The Australian government has spent years trying to prevent such a designation, as it could harm tourism. The Reef contributes more than A$9bn ($6.25bn) to the Australian economy each year and is visited by over two million tourists.

Assistant Tourism Minister Nita Green said UNESCO's decision recognized Australia's efforts to protect and manage the natural icon.

The Great Barrier Reef stretches about 2,400 km off the coast of Queensland and is home to hundreds of coral species and roughly 1,500 fish species. Since 2016, however, it has experienced five years of mass coral bleaching caused by thermal stress. According to the Queensland state government, climate change is the main cause of rising ocean temperatures, which lead to coral bleaching.

(Reuters, Lud)