Ravaged by abnormal climate changes and water pollutants, a famed tourist attraction has seen better days.<\p>

The largest living structure on earth, the Great Barrier Reef resides on the northeastern coast of Australia and is home to a kingdom of diverse wildlife, including 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 mollusks, 500 types of seaweed, and 215 varieties of birds.

Recently, the Australian government banned fishing and shipping from a third of the 134,000 - mile region that the Great Barrier Reef spans. Official July 1st, guilty companies will be fined $1.1 million, individuals $220,000 for violating the new ban, which was designed to reduce pollution and restore the general health of the reef and its fragile corals.

While coral reefs are in jeopardy, Joel Biddle, educational director for the environmental organization Reef Relief, said that such damage is not necessarily irreversible.

"Most scientists think that we can significantly slow down global warming by reducing pollutants into the atmosphere and into our water systems", Biddle noted. "Reducing pollutants going into lakes, waters, streams and oceans would have an immediate positive result for coral reefs, worldwide."

Upon hearing the recent news, some Marist College students that have personally explored the vast coral reef said the new fishing ban should help protect the wildlife of the underwater ecosystem.

Tommy Lionelli, junior, Marist College, was abroad last semester in Australia, and seized the opportunity to take a tour of the Reef.

"There are definitely fish in the Reef that can only be found there", Lionelli said. "A lot of tropical fish are taken from there for the exotic pet trade, like in Finding Nemo."

Meanwhile, Sandie Castoro, junior, Marist College, also visited the natural wonder during her abroad studies.