Reef Recovery 2030

Reef Recovery 2030

Reef Recovery 2030 will not only provide hope for the future of coral reefs and the millions of people that rely on them, but it will also create the step change that is urgently needed.

"It’s surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth."

Sir David Attenborough
Coral Reefs are under threat​

#Coral Reefs are under threat​

Coral reefs cannot recover, adapt and evolve fast enough to withstand the combination of climate change and local impacts. ​

Climate change

Coral

Habitat loss

Polluted water

Cyclones

Ocean acidification

Crown-of-thorns starfish

#The solution

The practical actions to be delivered by Reef Recovery 2030 span interconnected pillars of work, each feeding into the core focus of the campaign: healthy reefs and the wellbeing of reef communities.

Improve water quality

Reduce pollution from land-based runoff

Act on climate

Reduce emissions and store carbon

Restore reef islands and coasts

Restore critical habitat and coastal ecosystems

Restore

Promote recovery of degraded reefs

Adapt

Strengthen corals' tolerance to climate change

Protect

Cool and shade reefs most at risk

Coral Reef restoration works during annual coral spawning

Coral Reef restoration works during annual coral spawning


#Interventions

Based on the benefits, costs and scale, 43 interventions have been shortlisted for further development by the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program Joint Venture partners.

Cooling and shading

This intervention provides us with the greatest opportunity to minimise species loss and save on future restoration costs. We will target reefs likely to suffer heat stress ahead of predicted bleaching events, and use advanced techniques to reduce the exposure of coral reefs to heat and light stress.

Assisted natural adaptation

To strengthen corals’ tolerance to climate change, we will facilitate the sharing of the genetic diversity of corals, transferring desirable traits between coral species and populations, such as using coral larvae that is already adapted to warmer conditions.

Coral

Enhanced coral breeding

We will also use gene-editing approaches and synthetic biology to increase stress tolerance or other desirable traits. This is cutting edge science and innovation at the very early stages of its development.

Stabilisation

Healthy coral reefs have complex structures that support biodiversity and protect coastlines from erosion. These are weakened and damaged by ocean acidification and extreme weather events. By stabilising or adding new reef structures, we are able to help coral recover.

Biocontrol

Coral predators like Crown-of-thorns starfish survive by eating coral, and their numbers are out of control. To give the Reef a fighting chance of recovery after bleaching events, we will scale up the most effective ways to manage coral predators and competitors.

Field treatments

Like all animals, corals are inhabited by a microbial community. We will use probiotics, feeding, and medicines in both the breeding process and during bleaching events, to increase coral survival and health.


Turtle on the Reef with Staghorn coral

#Help her survive the heat

The Great Barrier Reef is fighting for life and we are fighting for her future.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation extends its deepest respect and recognition to the Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef and its Catchments as First Nations Peoples holding the hopes, dreams, traditions and cultures of the Reef.