One of the most negative effects on the Great barrier reef is the impact of tourism.  So how can we see this beautiful natural place without damaging it?  The answer is traveling using companies that are eco certified.

Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard mass tourism.

One of these companies is Quicksilver tours and cruises.  I found this company online while searching for eco-friendly travel options.  Quicksilver is Eco Certified, and recognized for "advanced ecotourism" – the highest eco certification attainable in Australia.  Part of being eco certified means rather strenuous efforts to preserve the endangered and fragile Reef.   On their website they provide some points as to how they preserve the Reef.  

• A rigorous assessment process including referees (one of whom must be a protected area manager)
• Review and updating of criteria every three years to reflect emerging best practice
• Feedback from customers of accredited operators
• Audits of operators, including an on-site audit on the entire set of the Eco Certification Program criteria at some stage during the period of accreditation. 

A cool fact that I found as recent news on the Great Barrier Reef.  Google Earth has now started taking panoramic pictures underwater of the Great Barrier Reef. Its almost like you have been given a free vacation.

Recently Google has gone to extensive effort to expand the street view of their google earth program.  Part of that means going underwater to photograph and film parts of the ocean.  It is not only a great idea but also a great learning tool.  

Now people around the world can become familiar with one of the most beautiful places on the planet.  Most movies and documentaries portray, only the most beautiful parts of the Reef, but now people can have a more palpable portrayal of what the Reef actually is.

Click on the Image to see the article directly from google.

     My Name is Bryson Balling, editor-in-chief of this webpage/blog. I have had absolutely no blog experience, so bear with me as this is my first website and my first blog.

     It will be a new interesting experience and I hope you enjoy the ride along with me.

     When you think of the ocean,  you think of sea turtles, exotic fish, sandy beaches, sharks, and yes, the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier reef is the worlds largest Coral network, roughly the size of California. That's huge!
     
     In this blog page, I am going to specifically discuss the Great Barrier reef and many aspects of it.  I hope that I can help inform those seeking knowledge about the Reef, by providing sources and information.  I am also learning every day about the Reef, and I hope I can accurately portray the facts as well as my personal interest in it.

     The Great Barrier Reef is a huge tourist attraction, and as many people have come to realize, it is a threatened ecosystem. Many people go to visit the Reef each year, but what is being done to preserve it?  What can you do to help save it? What can I do?  

    The great barrier reef is located half a world away from me, so it is hard for me and many of those reading this, to travel there to do something.  One of the reasons for creating this blog is to inform people.  Thereby trying to do my part to save this awesome part of this world.