{"id":876046,"date":"2018-10-31T00:00:40","date_gmt":"2018-10-30T23:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aatkings.com\/real-word\/?p=876046"},"modified":"2026-03-10T01:22:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:22:47","slug":"endangered-species-of-the-great-barrier-reef-and-how-you-can-see-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aatkings.com\/storybook\/endangered-species-of-the-great-barrier-reef-and-how-you-can-see-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Endangered Species in the Great Barrier Reef"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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Endangered Species of the Great Barrier Reef<\/h2>\r\n

The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef<\/a>\u00a0is the largest coral reef system in the world, boasting one-third of the earth\u2019s coral population and the greatest marine biodiversity of anywhere on the planet.<\/p>\r\n

Located in the North-East of Australia, it\u2019s the mecca of diving locations and one of the natural wonders of Australia<\/a>, home to an intricate natural tapestry and vibrant underwater world that\u2019s teeming with unique marine life and unbelievable sights.<\/p>\r\n

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\u00a0Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Unfortunately, global warming and rampant pollution has left much of the Great Barrier Reef endangered. According to a new study, massive amounts of coral was \u201ccooked\u201d during the 2016 marine heatwave.<\/p>\r\n

This bleaching event affected two-thirds of the reef, drastically transformed its makeup and removed important habitats for fish and other marine animals \u2013 effectively moving them one step closer to extinction.<\/p>\r\n

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List of endangered animals in the Great Barrier Reef<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

The Great Barrier Reef has changed forever, we need to make the most of what\u2019s left and both celebrate and protect these critically endangered species. Below, we\u2019ll list the Great Barrier Reef fish species and coral types that have been classified as endangered via CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).<\/p>\r\n

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Endangered Turtles in the Great Barrier Reef<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

One of the endangered species in the Great Barrier Reef are sea turtles. There are six different species of turtles that reside at the Great Barrier Reef and, unfortunately, four are classified as endangered with the two other species close to being endangered.<\/p>\r\n

These placid beauties have inhabited the oceans for more than 150 million years, yet now face extinction. The reason for the turtle\u2019s endangerment is twofold: plastic bags \u2013 which the turtles mistake for jellyfish and eat, causing them to suffer a slow and painful death \u2013 and hunting. Turtles have been hunted for centuries due to the value of their shell, eggs and meat.<\/p>\r\n

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The four endangered turtle species are:<\/h3>\r\n

Loggerhead Turtle<\/strong>. This species in the Great Barrier Reef also has a relatively slow reproductive rate, only breeding every two to five years, which has contributed to their endangerment.<\/p>\r\n

Green Turtle<\/strong>. Climate change has caused frequent flooding of their nests and resulted in the dwindling of nesting numbers.<\/p>\r\n

Hawksbill Turtle<\/strong>. It\u2019s specifically the Hawksbill turtle\u2019s eggs which make them seriously endangered, the eggs are still considered a delicacy and eaten in many parts of the world.<\/p>\r\n

Leatherback Turtle.<\/strong> This species is critically endangered and is barely sighted in the Great Barrier Reef. The turtle is a target for many natural predators and scientists suspect natural selection is the main cause for their disappearance<\/p>\r\n

How to see turtles:<\/h3>\r\n

If you want to get a glimpse at these majestic marine wonders, head to Mission Beach in Queensland or any of the small islands surrounding the Great Barrier Reef. These island shores are home to many nesting turtles, you will likely spot a female crawling from the ocean to her nest in the sand to deposit her eggs.<\/p>\r\n

Turtle species in the Great Barrier Reef can also be spotted swimming around the Clump Point Jetty, on both low and high tide, along with sting rays and other marine life.<\/p>\r\n

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\u00a0Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Endangered Whales in the Great Barrier Reef<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

Whales, or Mugga Mugga as the Aboriginal Australians say, are like the custodians of the Reef. These big and beguiling mammals glide effortlessly through the water, keeping a watchful eye over their fellow sea creatures.<\/p>\r\n

Unfortunately, a number of whale species have become endangered due to excessive whaling. Back in the \u201860s, the Humpback Whale was down to a frighteningly low 500 specimens, and species like the Bryde\u2019s Whale and the Sei Whale have recently become endangered due to excessive pollution and ship strikes, making them some of the most endangered species in the Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\r\n

Thankfully, we\u2019ve made some progress, all whales within Australian waters are now protected and there are limits on how close vessels can get to these beautiful beasts.<\/p>\r\n

How to see whales:<\/h3>\r\n

If you\u2019re keen to get up close and personal with a whale, records show that around 200 or so come to the Great Barrier Reef each year. They\u2019re social creatures, more than happy to interact with divers and snorkelers, so grab your flippers and dive in!<\/p>\r\n

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\u00a0Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland<\/p>\r\n

Endangered Crocodiles in the Great Barrier Reef<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

There are currently only around 200,000 to 300,000 Saltwater Crocodiles left in the whole world, making them one of the most endangered species of the Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\r\n

Saltwater Crocodiles, or \u2018salties\u2019 for short, are hunted for their sought-after skin, eggs and meat which is the main reason for their endangerment. They\u2019ve also suffered drastic habitat destruction due to dredging which has contributed to their dwindling numbers.<\/p>\r\n

How to see crocodiles:<\/h3>\r\n

Salties are excellent swimmers which mean they are found far out in the Barrier Sea, unlikely to be seen by tourists, which is kind of lucky considering they\u2019re one of the most dangerous animals in Australia.<\/p>\r\n

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\u00a0Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland<\/p>\r\n

Endangered Dugong in the Great Barrier Reef<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

The dugong, sometimes referred to as the elephant of the sea, is one of the most endangered species in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia and the whole world. It\u2019s estimated that there\u2019s only 10,000 of these gentle giants left in the wild.<\/p>\r\n

Poaching, pollution, dredging and coastal development are all responsible for the dugong\u2019s devastatingly low numbers.<\/p>\r\n

Moreover, dugongs can only give birth to one child and that newborn must be attached to its mother for at least 18 months. This long and difficult reproductive process stagnates the growth of the dugong population to a mere five percent each year.<\/p>\r\n

How to see dugongs:<\/h3>\r\n

Spotting this endangered species in the Great Barrier Reef is hard.\u00a0 Dugongs mainly reside in the Mission Beach region around Hinchinbrook Island but can be spotted up and down the coastal areas of the Great Barrier Reef where there\u2019s minimal waves and thick seagrass.<\/p>\r\n

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Endangered Coral in the Great Barrier Reef<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

While coral might look like a plant, it\u2019s actually an animal as it does not produce its own food. Out of the 360 species of coral found in the Great Barrier Reef, 22 Great Barrier Reef coral species are currently endangered.<\/p>\r\n

The severe coral bleaching which has occurred damaged approximately 1,500 km of the reef\u2019s coral. While the reef might be the reason for the area\u2019s name, it\u2019s dwindling, fast.<\/p>\r\n

How to see coral:<\/em><\/h4>\r\n

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world\u2019s most accessible reefs and its waters suit all degrees of diving\/snorkelling competency. Whether you want to swim solo or take an advanced dive with a group, the underwater world is yours to explore and Great Barrier Reef coral species are there to see.<\/p>\r\n

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\u00a0Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Other endangered species in the Great Barrier Reef<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

Other endangered species in the Great Barrier Reef include several types of fish such barramundi cod, Maori Wrasse, Queensland grouper and pipefish. These fish have become endangered due to a multitude of reasons including:<\/p>\r\n