article_snippet: The Reef, which covers an area of 348,000 square metres, is the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem, and is listed by UNESCO 'a site of remarkable variety and beauty'.
article_snippet: Prime Minister Tony Abbott revealed the plan on Hamilton Island in far north Queensland on Saturday, and said that Australia is 'utterly committed as an entire nation to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef which is one of the natural wonders of the world', reported The ABC. 'the Great Barrier Reef is an incredibly diverse and rich environment – a maze of 3000 coral reefs and 1050 islands stretching for over 2300 kilometres,' said a press release from Prime Minister Tony Abbott. 'a press release from Mr Abbott is already regarded as being among the best managed marine parks in the world.
article_snippet: the Great Barrier Reef includes 2,500 individual reefs and over 900 islands, as well as over 1,500 species of fish, about 400 species of coral, 4,000 species of mollusk, and 240 species of birds. '
article_snippet: Collectively these landscapes and seascapes provide some of the most spectacular maritime scenery in the world,' says the Great Barrier Reef's listing by UNESCO. '
article_snippet: This diversity, especially the endemic species, means the GBR is of enormous scientific and intrinsic importance, and the GBR also contains a significant number of threatened species.'
article_snippet: Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that Australia is 'utterly committed as an entire nation to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef which is one of the natural wonders of the world' 'the Great Barrier Reef is an incredibly diverse and rich environment – a maze of 3000 coral reefs and 1050 islands stretching for over 2300 kilometres,' said a press release from Prime Minister Tony Abbott .
article_snippet: the Great Barrier Reef includes 2,500 individual reefs and over 900 islands, as well as over 1,500 species of fish .
article_snippet: the Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space, and includes popular tourist destinations such as the Whitsundays and Princess Charlotte Bay.
article_snippet: the Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space, and includes popular tourist destinations such as the Whitsundays and Princess Charlotte Bay .
article_snippet: the Great Barrier Reef is home to approximately 400 species of coral, 4,000 species of mollusk, and 240 species of birds .
article_snippet: Australians are rightfully proud of the Great Barrier Reef and recognise the Great Barrier Reef immense biological, economic and cultural value,' said the statement. '
highlights_snippet: The Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan was released in a bid to prevent the World Heritage Site from being listed as 'in danger'
  The Reef, which covers an area of 348,000 square metres, is the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem .
  