People and the Reef

Photo submission brief
Images entered in this category must be powerful and memorable, showing the relationship between coral reefs and human beings (positive or negative). NB: Image manipulation in this category is limited to colour balance, backscatter removal, cropping and noise reduction. See rule 4.

If you are a member and would like to enter a photograph in this category Login Here and click on the "Photography Competition" link in the members section. If you are not a member and you would like to join Click Here to register as a new member.

Why did we select this category?
People from around the world, and within Australia, use coral reefs in different ways. We selected this category to highlight these different relationships because these uses are important to people’s culture and livelihoods. Unfortunately some of these uses have now become unsustainable and are damaging coral reefs around the world. We aim to increase the general public’s awareness of how they can help to  ensure a sustainable future for our tropical marine environment.

Human impacts on coral reefs
The key threats to coral reefs around the world include:

• Overfishing
• Destructive fishing
• Nutrient pollution
• Siltation

By helping to reduce any one of these human impacts you will help to increase the coral reef’s capacity to recover (i.e. its resilience) from another impact or the devastating effects of Climate Change.

Some easy ways to help to protect Australia’s coral reefs?

• Visit a coral reef: Tourism can help to protect coral reefs by making the general public more aware of how we can help to protect them. Marine Park fees can help to fund sustainable management practices.
• Look after the reef from you home: You can help to protect the reef by reducing use of products that will pollute the sea e.g. fertilisers or household cleaning products. You can also help to slow down Climate Change by riding your bike to work or school instead of taking the car.