'The tourism industry, desperate to maintain tourist numbers, is looking beyond the natural beauty of the reef because it's not quite what it was,' said dive operator Tony Fontes.
A tour operator has warned that Australia's Great Barrier Reef is becoming a"theme park" as the natural wonder is increasingly opened up to development in an attempt to lure tourists.
Fontes said that the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority —the government agency responsible for the care and protection of much of the reef—has drifted away from its original focus, allowing more underwater attractions. "So if we can keep tourists coming with some underwater art, as long as it's done under appropriate conditions and in a sustainable way it can enhance the tourism experience, while hopefully these areas recover and come back to what they were," he said.
Researchers say that the two recent mass bleaching events were caused by significant spikes in water temperatures. As the world warms, so does the average temperatures of the planet's oceans, lakes and rivers, making these kinds of events more likely.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tarte’s Labor Day Sale Means Great Makeup and Great DealsWith code BOGO50.
Read more »
Turns Out, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Gives Great Relationship Advice—Just Ask J.LoAn unstoppable force of nature, the Supreme Court Justice also happens to be very knowledgable in the love department, too.
Read more »
Great Places To Follow Your Passions In Retirement In 2019Want to be happy in retirement? Then cultivate relationships and spend more money on leisure activities—at least that’s what new academic research (as well as common sense) suggests.
Read more »
Great Places To Follow Your Passions In Retirement In 201925 great places to pursue 7 retirement passions: arts, fine dining, lifelong learning, volunteering, outdoor activities on water, outdoor activities on land and (in its own category) golf
Read more »
You don't need to spend $1,000 for a phone, so consider these great alternativesYou can still get a really nice phone for less than $1,000. You might give up some features, but you'll still get everything you need. Here are some top budget phone picks.
Read more »
Great Places To Follow Your Passions In Retirement In 2019Want to be happy in retirement? Then cultivate relationships and spend more money on leisure activities—at least that’s what new academic research (as well as common sense) suggests.
Read more »