Second big win for Reef
05 Dec 2003
WWF-Australia has welcomed a joint Australian and Queensland government plan to cut pollution flowing into the Great Barrier Reef from the catchment.
The plan to reduce agricultural runoff aims to prevent any further degradation of hundreds of inshore reefs.
A fourfold increase in sediment and nutrient pollution from the Great Barrier Reef catchment over the last 150 years has placed over 400 inshore reefs at risk of degradation, from Port Douglas to Gladstone.
WWF-Australia Great Barrier Reef campaign manager, Imogen Zethoven, said "The plan will protect wetlands and improve farming practices. It focuses government efforts in areas that pose a high risk to inshore reefs."
"These areas include many of the smaller Wet Tropics catchments with intensive crops and the larger Burdekin and Fitzroy catchments dominated by grazing."
WWF-Australia released a report on 5 June 2001 (World Environment Day), Clear?...or present danger?, which highlighted the sources and impacts of Reef pollution and kicked off a two year campaign to achieve a Reef Protection Plan to improve water quality.
In December last year, WWF-Australia was instrumental in gaining a $16 million Great Barrier Reef Wetlands Protection Program. "Wetlands maintain healthy catchments, yet between 60-80% of wetlands have been lost in the Great Barrier Reef catchment. All remaining natural wetlands should now be fully protected, along with all remaining intact native vegetation in the catchment," Ms Zethoven said.
"WWF-Australia will continue to play a watchdog role to ensure that the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan is implemented as efficiently as possible with the barest minimum spent on government administration, and the maximum spent on protection of natural habitats and improved farming practices," Ms Zethoven said.
The Reef Water Quality Protection Plan builds on the new Great Barrier Reef zoning plan which was tabled in Federal Parliament two days ago by the Australian Minister for Environment and Heritage Dr David Kemp, and will create the world's largest network of marine sanctuaries.
"Together, these two plans will build the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. The Reef Water Quality Protection Plan recognises the connectivity between the Reef and its catchment. The protection and sustainable use of the catchment is vital to maintain the beauty and biodiversity of the Reef itself."
"These complementary plans will have multiple and long-term ecological and economic benefits," Ms Zethoven said. "Premier Beattie and Dr Kemp deserve to be congratulated for tackling this serious and urgent problem."
