The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established in 1975.
Australia created the park through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. The legislation also established the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the federal agency responsible for managing activities within the park and protecting its ecological values.
The park is not identical to the entire Great Barrier Reef. It covers a large marine area around the reef system, while management is shared between the Australian and Queensland governments. Tools include zoning, permits, management plans and restrictions on activities that could damage marine habitats.
Another date often confused with 1975 is 1981, when the Great Barrier Reef was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park’s creation came first; its international heritage recognition followed six years later.