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May 8, 1522
Discovery
The east coast of Australia is believed to have first been sighted around 1522 during a Portuguese expedition led by Cristovao de Mendonca. -
Documentation
The earliest documentary evidence of the Great Barrier Reef was by the French. On 6 June 1768, Louis de Bougainville, who was commanding the ships La Boudeuse and L’Etoile, approached Australia from the east, and encountered the Bougainville Reef. -
Period: to
First Sailing the Great Barrier Reef
James Cook sailed the length of the Great Barrier Reef -
Giving it a name
Matthew Flinders undertook the task of surveying the entire Australian coastline and walking on what he called the ‘Extensive Barrier Reefs’ -
Philip Parker King
Hydrographer Philip Parker King accurately charted much of the reef -
Threatened Species
27 marine species were listed as ‘vulnerable or endangered or critically endangered’ -
Tourists
Introduction of tourist attractions for the Great Barrier Reef -
Australian Marine Park
In 1975, the Great Barrier Reef was declared an Australian Marine Park. -
World Heritage List
In 1981, the Great Barrier Reef was added to the World Heritage List. The World Heritage List is a list by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization of places that have special cultural or physical significance. -
Bleaching
50% of the coral suffered bleaching -
More bleaching
Mass Coral Bleaching -
More Bleaching
There is even more mass coral bleaching
