THE COASTAL ZONE

Run-off in coastal zone. Photo: AIMS

The coastal zone fringes the land. It is ecologically important because it is home to mangroves and seagrasses that provide food for threatened species such as dugong and turtles, and has nursery areas for prawns and fishes, some of which are commercially important.

Most of the human population lives close to the coastal zone and significant future growth is projected for coastal areas of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The land adjacent to the coastal zone is extensively used for numerous industrial, urban and agricultural activities that can affect water quality on the Reef.

Development of ports and marinas has also attracted shipping. Ships can carry introduced marine plants and animals on their hulls, or in their ballast water. Some introduced species could become pests in a new environment.

Because the Great Barrier Reef is a great place for recreation, and so many Queenslanders and tourists take to the water to swim, snorkel or dive, it is important to be aware of the natural hazards in the water. These include marine stingers, or jellyfish, which are present in coastal and Reef waters between November and May. The box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri is the most venomous marine creature in the world. Recently, some tiny species of Irukandji jellyfish have also been found to be potentially fatal.