Investigations continue on run aground reef ship The Great Barrier Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has launched investigations into a ship, carrying 100 tonnes of soil, that’s run aground in the Great Barrier Reef. The North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporations (NQBPC) ship, Pride of Bowen, ran aground in the Capricorn-Bunker Group because of some mechanical difficulties and serve weather. The General Manager of Great Barrier Reef Operations, Andrew Skeat, said that currently no soil from the ship has leaked into the surrounding environments. He said this “singular accident” is being investigated but he has “confidence” in NQBPC’s ability to continue safely manage other operations. “The Pride of Bowen was cleared for deportation because …show more content…
“Despite this, we do take the incident very seriously and are willing to do everything possible to stop this having major impacts on the protected area of the marine park.” Chief Executive and Chairman of GBRMPA, Russel Reichelt, said the incidents current circumstances don’t have “a high likelihood” of causing long-term damages to the reef. “Luckily there are no specifically listed endangered species in the area concerned and it is not breeding season for many species of fish, coral, and sea grass,” Mr Skeat said. “The experts on our Ecosystem Reef Advisory Committee are however still continuing their in-depth look into the incident and its effect on the surrounding environments.” The GBRMPA are more than willing to discuss the issue and how they plan to directly deal with any damage further once all information and investigations are finalised. The GBRMPA as an organisation strives to protect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park by ensuring all human interactions with the reef are ecologically sustainable and maintain it’s natural
The 2014 Great Barrier Reef outlook report identifies ports as a moderate to major threat to the Great Barrier Reef, and outlines the impacts port activity has, including dredging and dumping of waste, increased risk of oil and chemical spills, and diminished aesthetic values. It also links problems with ports with shipping issues impacting the reef.
The 2,300 km Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world's largest protected reef system.
Australia is in debt to The Great Barrier Reef as it has brought economic and environmental stability not just to Australia, but the World, from a business and ethical standpoint everyone must put an end in this growing issue.
The Great Barrier Reef is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is believed to be one of the most incredible places on this earth. This reef is the largest living organism on this planet and the only living thing on earth visible from space (2011). The warm waters of the southwest Pacific Ocean are the perfect environments to create the world's largest system of coral reefs. The Great Barrier Reef is in such pristine condition that it was listed by the World Heritage Trust as a protected site and is therefore, managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to ensure that its beauty is maintained for many travelers and sightseers (Edgar 2010). Due to the complexity of this natural phenomenon, human practices have led
In 2018 English Broadcaster and Naturalist Sir David Attenborough said, “The Great Barrier Reef will be dead by 2100.” Sir David Attenborough is not far off as already two third of the great barrier reef has either perished away or currently dying. Smart.Co is here to help Australia fix the great barrier reef with the plastic problem one by
Because the GBR is such a highly visited tourist attraction for snorkeling and diving, there has been a large number of human structures that have been built in natural areas. Every five years, the Australian government publishes an Outlook Report that examines the Great Barrier Reef’s health, pressures, and likely future. “The report is required under Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (section 54) and aims to provide a regular and reliable means of assessing reef health and management in an accountable and transparent way.” The report shows the actions that have been taken since 2009, including the focus on improving the quality of water that runs off the land. The increased freshwater run-off is in direct relation to the coastal development that has occurred since the major bleaching events have begun. The report released in 2009, states that the greatest risks to the Reef are still climate change, land-based runoff, coastal development, and some remaining impacts of fishing and illegal fishing and poaching. The report points out climate change as being the main cause of the destruction or bleaching of the reef (Department of Environment and Energy 2017). Most observers conclude that the climate change is a direct result of human
GBRMPA is working with the Aboriginal inhabitants and Torres Strait islanders to provide sustainable laws on the Great Barrier Reef to maintain the traditions of the Aboriginal tribes and protect the reef. GBRMPA rely on Aboriginal inhabitants for their knowledge of the Great Barrier Reef as the inhabitants have live with the reef for many generations giving them more
Tourism in Australia has evolved over the years and continues to increase to this day, however it is the effects that tourists have the ability to place on the Southern Great Barrier Reef which are potentially threatening for, not only the reef of lady Elliot Island, however, the corals surrounding it. “International visitations within Australia alone reached 3.9 million visitors within the first 7 months of 2014, which was an increase of approximately 9.5%, a number which continues to rise” (Tourism Australia, 2015). However, with this increasing number, comes possible damaging effects to the surrounding reefs of Lady Elliot Island, possibly leading to the excessive damage of corals due to activities and infrastructure requirements
The Great Barrier Reef is under threat due to many human impacts and natural impacts. These impacts lead to other consequences that may harm our society as well. For example, if the Great Barrier Reef was to be damaged by pollution, tourism levels would decrease, which can lead to a drop in the economic stance of Australia. For these reasons, it is important to keep our ecosystems safe and protected. Some of the human impacts towards the Great Barrier Reef include:
The Great Barrier Reef is iconic. It has a central place in Australian culture and psyche, and a visit to the reef is reliably rated among the top three must do experiences in international surveys. The Great Barrier Reef has continued to evoke wonder and awe in visitors, from the earliest European explorers negotiating the “monstrous labyrinth of coral” by sailing ship, to the thousands of tourists who arrive annually to experience one of the natural wonders of the world.
To summarize Rowan Jacobsen’s article in Outside magazine, Obituary: Great Barrier Reef (25 Million BC-2016), it is titled the complete death and passing of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Jacobsen says the famous Barrier Reef passed away in 2016 at 25 million years old. He says the Barrier Reef is the largest living structure; stretching 1,400 miles long, 2,900 individual reefs, and 1,050 islands. This grand reef harbors thousands of species. The
Consequently, there are two important factors that contribute to the ignorance of the Great Barrier Reef ‘s impacts. First, Mr. Hunt’s
Since the beginning of time man has shown a desire to alter his physical surroundings based on his perception of inequalities, injustices, survival or even due to his own innovations. Perhaps it stems from the primal instinct to survive and along with that a common theme behind this desire seems to be an effort to make the world a better place, either more aesthetically pleasing, or easier to survive in. Technological advances for human survival and comfort may come at the expense of animals, climate, air, land and sea. Human ignorance often leads to the natural wonders of our world being destroyed due to these technological advances and human arrogance. Humans have wiped out many species that they come in contact with and almost destroyed other natural environments and ecosystems. Along the northeast coast of Australia is a cluster of reefs known as the Great Barrier Reef, the most diverse underwater phenomenon in our world. This natural wonder is not being cared for and everyone needs to take responsibility for what is happening to this reef, especially in adjacent locations and help in as many ways as possible. The Australian Government is responsible for the protection of the natural resources within their country. They need to act as the main spokesperson for the Great Barrier Reef. The government needs to be more proactive because if nothing is done the Great Barrier Reef will no longer exist. Even though it is not just the Australian Government that is to blame for
Coral reefs are natural formations that host around twenty-five percent of the world’s marine species, however, these reefs are majorly threatened (“Air”). The Great Barrier Reef in particular is an important marine location, home to major marine diversity with over 3,000 reefs over 1,400 miles (“Great” World Book). The Great Barrier Reef is a limestone formation made of coral polyps and algae, and lays off the coast of Queensland, Australia. For many years, this reef has been exposed to several threats. The threats facing the Great Barrier Reef include pollution, invasive species, and climate change.
Over three years has passed since the incident, groups and scientists have continued to monitor toxic levels within the affected area. ('Application For Resource Consent (MV Rena)') Previously before the Rena grounded on the reef there was no scientific evidence to prove the abundant and good visibility of marine life on the Astrolabe reef. Since the Rena grounded scientific research has been carried out in order to restore the reef to its previous state and reduce contamination (Judd). One aspect of the issue is the release of toxic chemicals/objects that can cause potential harm to the ecology and water. This includes toxic metals that have the potential to adverse on the environment, for instance copper when released in