Impacts on communities
Changes to the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem have serious economic implications for Reef dependent industries, such as tourism and fishing, and for adjacent communities.
Any problems associated with water quality have the potential to compromise Reef dependent industries. Perceptions about the health of the ecosystem can affect its attractiveness for tourism and recreation.
Examples of Reef-dependent activities are traditional use of marine resources, commercial marine tourism, fishing, recreaton and research and educational activities. Reef-dependent activities are likley to be more sensitive to changes in the condition of the Region's values.