Now, part of this unique environment could be developed to become one of Earth’s biggest offshore oil fields, with a string of about six Australian and international oil companies lined up to drop exploratory drills into its sea floor in search of fossil fuels.

Despite its relative obscurity, it is estimated to generate $10 billion each year for the Australian economy through fisheries and tourism. That’s about 50 per cent more than its more famous cousin, the Great Barrier Reef.

It is becoming known as the Great Southern Reef.

via Great Australian Bight the site of nation’s other great reef, where oil companies want to drill – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)