Feeding Reef Fish

It is illegal to feed fish in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area without a permit, and the practice of feeding fish to attract them for tourist viewing is now restricted. Tourist operators that still feed fish use feed that is specially made and contains only marine product. It is illegal to throw any food overboard in the Marine Park; in addition to causing digestive problems in fish, the higher level of nutrients can cause excess algal growth that can smother coral and reduce light in the water column.