The Great Barrier Reef

I had answered a few questions relating to the Reef, where I will be visiting this summer.

1. The Great Barrier Reef is considered the "largest living structure on earth".
2. Coral uses a compound known as Calcium Carbonate to make their solid tentacles.
3. Red Algae benefits coral by encrusting on it, acting as sheets of Calcium Carbonate to make its hard shells.
4. The Great Barrier Reef was established a national park in 1975.
5. 33% of the reef is protected from fishing.
6. The reef is believed to be 20,000 years old, although the discovery of and ancient coral led scientists to believe it's 1/2 1 million years old.