Melbourne, Nov 3 (ANI): The tourism in Queensland is said to be threatened by new movie ‘The Reef’, which depicts the Great Barrier Reef as the hunting ground for killer great white sharks.

According to the Cairns Post, the movie, filmed at Bowen and Hervey Bay, tells the story of four friends who are terrorized by man-eating great white sharks after their boat capsizes on the Great Barrier Reef.

Actors Gyton Grantley and Damian Walshe-Howling star in the 3.5 million dollars movie, which is based on a true story.

But it has angered local tourism operators who fear the film will scare visitors away from the famous tourist destination.

“Any kind of shark attack or what they air in the Jaws movies and things like that, there’s a drop off in inquiries within the marine tourism industry,” News.com.au quoted Association of Marine Park Operators executive Col McKenzie as saying.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Rob Giason also expressed concern.

“The concerning issue for me is this piece of particular creative licensing actually distorts what reality is,” Giason said.

‘The Reef’ is due for release in Australia next year. (ANI)