Aussies Deemed unfit to Care for Great Barrier Reef

Australia is currently under extreme scrutiny as guardians of the Great Barrier Reef. With recent findings like the first ever sighting of Acropora eating flatworms and immanent collapse warnings from the UN the GBR will have its fate decided by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture department. Dr Robin Beaman, a marine researcher from James Cook University: “We should not be so dismissive of the UNESCO concerns about the health of the Great Barrier Reef, to do so is such a parochial response. The World Heritage listing for the Great Barrier Reef, and its continuing health, is vital for the marketing of the area for tourism and the numerous people who derive income from the reef.”  Criticized for coastal development projects that have weakened the GBR, Australia’s government has now been overstepped by a global body of countries who regards the environment over such things as drilling for oil. UNESCO will decide whether or not the GBR should be deemed a World Heritage site and have oversight greater than what it is currently receiving from the Australian Government. A potential blow to Australia’s conservation reputation these findings paint a picture of the current status of the GBR and Australia’s efforts to preserve it. Read more here! MAJOR FINDINGS FROM UNESCO:
* Rapid increase of coastal developments, including ports infrastructure, of “significant concern”
* Reef lacks overall plan for future sustainable development
* Development and other pressures should be reduced as much as possible to boost reef’s resilience to adapt to climate change
* Warning of reef being listed as “in danger”, if some of the most threatening developments proceed further towards consent
* Warning of “unaddressed concerns” about the protection and management of port and gas industry facilities in Gladstone Harbour and on nearby Curtis Island REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS:
* Australia should not allow any new port developments or associated infrastructure, outside existing port areas, in or adjoining the World Heritage area
* Australian government to complete strategic assessment of the reef before 2015
* Australia must sustain and increase efforts and resources to conserve the reef
* Independent review to be held of the management of Gladstone Harbour