Fish have returned to the Great Barrier Reef in numbers not seen since Europeans settled in Australia.
The result stems from a ban on fishing which was imposed at first on a limited section of the world-famous reef. It was expanded in 2004 to cover 33% of the marine park.
The concept became controversial as opposition to the ban was voiced by some fishing clubs, indigenous communities and tour operators.
But a study conducted over the 30 years from 1983 to 2012 has found that fish numbers in the reserve increased by a factor of 2.5. Moreover, the size of those fish was larger than had previously been the case.
Scientists said the new levels were the same now as when British settlers arrived more than 200 years ago.
The delicate coral reefs stretch for 1,500 miles, but pollution and extreme weather have caused the rapid loss of both coral and marine life.
The fishing ban seems to have boosted fish stock in other areas in addition to the reef and this has improved conditions for individual and commercial fishermen.
