Intro to the Great Barrier Reef

1.) The Great Barrier Reef is considered the "largest living structure on earth".

2.) The ocean extracts calcium carbonate from the ocean to make solid tentacles.

3.) Red algae acts like glue, attaching and holding the coral to other materials such as calcium carbonate.

4.) The Great Barrier Reef became a national park in 1975.

5.) About 33% of the reef is protected from fishing.

6.) Scientists believe the current reef is 20,000 years old and they believe the ancient reef is half a million years old.