Hotels and resorts built to accommodate these visitors cause damage to natural areas and endanger the animals that live there, such as the dugong. Boat anchors, reef walking, diving, fishing and other recreational activities are causing physical damage to the reef and pollution problems. Because boats can travel much faster and further, there are very few areas in the Great Barrier Reef Park that cannot be reached by tourists so there are very few pristine areas left. There are many fishing businesses on the Reef. It is important these waters are not overfished and the delicate balance of nature disturbed.
Many species are at risk of disappearing unless limits are placed on the catch.
Some fishing methods such as trawling and reef-line fishing damage the environment and the accidental capture of many endangered or protected animals by inshore netting is a big problem that conservationists are trying to address. Because coral requires clear water to remain healthy, it is killed when soil or sediment smothers it. This can occur during heavy rains when soil from cleared areas on the mainland is carried down rivers and into the ocean surrounding the reef. Another problem that kills coral is nutrient pollution which occurs when the fertilisers and pesticides that Queensland farmers use on their crops is washed down rivers and into the Reef waters. Coral requires a constant water temperature of about 24 C to maintain healthy growth.