The Cairns and Far North Environment Centre have serious concerns with the adequacy of the Strategic Assessment. Our comments on the Strategic Assessment are below and are downloadable as a pdf here.

Public Consultation on the Assessment closes on Friday 31 January 2014.  http://www.reefhaveyoursay.com.au/have-your-say

Background to the Strategic Assessment

Giant Clam, Great Barrier Reef. Photo (c) Josh Coates

In March 2012 a joint World Heritage Centre (WHC) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reactive monitoring mission visited the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWA) property, in response to serious concern regarding a range of issues including proposed coastal and port developments .

The mission concluded that the GBRWHA is affected by a number of current and potential threats and that decisive and immediate action is required to secure its Outstanding Universal Value over the long-term and to avoid listing of ‘World Heritage in Danger’.

A number of strong recommendations contributed to the Australian Government’s decision to undertake a strategic assessment of the GBRWHA and associated coastal zone, to address concerns and outline a plan to protect the reef over the next 25 years.

The draft Strategic Assessment consists of two parts – a marine component prepared by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA ) and a coastal component produced by the Queensland Government.

Contents of the Strategic Assessment

The Strategic Assessment, particularly the GBRMPA report, contains a good collation of the scientific knowledge of reef condition. This information paints a disturbing picture of the GBRWHA in declining health from past and current impacts and facing a range of increasing threats. Immediate and major action is needed to reverse the negative trends (particularly in the Southern 2 thirds of the reef) and to protect habitats of the reef that remain in relatively good condition.

The reports fall short in the examination and assessment of future threats and real measures to address these. There is a lack of firm commitment and detail in how and when actions will be taken to improve reef health or prevent future threatening processes. Further, there is a lack of clarity on commitment of resources to achieve identified goals.

The strategic assessment is timely with regard to the monitoring mission’s strong recommendations, . However the current draft does not go far enough in addressing the many risks identified and serious concerns remain including on lack of detail, confidence in condition and risk assessments and implementation plans required to address the risks.

 “There is limited evidence that the Program, including its Forward Commitments, will be sufficient to reverse the decline in the condition of the Great Barrier Reef and provide for its long-term protection” SKM independent review

CAFNEC detailed comment on the Strategic Assessment

The following is downloadable as a pdf here.

Great Barrier Reef Strategic Assessment

Public Consultation Manager

GPO Box 668

Brisbane QLD 4001

Via email:            feedback@nullreefhaveyoursay.com.au

CAFNEC comment on the Strategic Assessment

1.1          About CAFNEC

The Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC) is the peak environment organisation for the region from Cardwell north to Torres Strait and from the coast west to the Gulf of Carpentaria. CAFNEC is a non-profit, community organisation that has been operating for over 30 years with the aim of encouraging the community to value, protect and restore the natural environment.

1.2          Introduction

CAFNEC commends the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for their actions that have led to the production of this report and the Government for taking up the challenge of producing a plan for the future health of the international natural icon that is the Great Barrier Reef (GBR).

We must up front express our disappointment with some aspects of The Strategic Assessment as it is our view that it does not adequately address the known decline of GBR condition / negative trends and serious threats to the future of the GBRWHA identified by UNESCO.

The Strategic Assessment contains a good collation and assessment of the scientific knowledge of reef health, particularly in the GBRMPA report. This information paints a disturbing picture of a reef in declining health facing a range of threats. This emphasises the need for immediate and major action to reverse the negative trends and to protect those areas of the reef that remain in relatively good condition (mainly in the less populated North) from future threats.

A general criticism is the separation of the Assessment into two sections (coastal and marine) which has created a situation in which some areas of crossover, notably port management, ‘fall through the cracks’.

The drafts, while containing many positive initiatives does not go far enough in the proposed actions to reverse these trends or minimise the threats. The strategic assessment reports also lack real actions and targets and instead comprises motherhood statements that fail to link to real actions and shifts responsibility for action on to other inadequate plans, policies which in many cases are yet to be produced or are in draft form.

Of particular concern is the Queensland Government’s ‘business as usual’ approach in the assessment, with an overly generous or potentially misleading appraisal of the effectiveness of current programs, an overabundance of ‘motherhood statements’ that do not provide clear paths to action and a lack of adequate attention to key issues such as the issue of port development – an issue that initiated the UNESCO concern in the first place. The Queensland Report concludes by recommending a plan for a plan to better coordinate plans. How this will help halt and reverse the degradation of the GBRWHA, especially in the time frames required, is unclear.

The following comments on the Strategic Assessments reflect some of the organisational priorities of CAFNEC but, given the size and breadth of the documentation covered cannot be considered as exhaustive.

1.3          Areas in which the Draft Assessments require more detail or are lacking (overview).

• More detail on implementation strategies for identified actions.
• Clear identification of level and source of resources to achieve identified goals.
• Stronger linkage of recommendations with future tasks – for example, development of the Sustainability Plan and the intended outcomes of this.
• Real and measurable targets and timelines (versus processes only), especially for the coastal assessment.
• Clarity or explanation behind some of the condition assessments. Specific examples include: the ‘good’ condition of dugongs in northern inshore waters and the ‘good’ condition and stable trend of bony fish in southern inshore waters or the ‘good’ condition of sharks and rays on offshore areas despite very significant fishing pressures.
• Clarity or explanation behind some of the threat assessments, for example the assessment of dredging and the dumping and re-suspension of dredge material as only a ‘medium’ risk to biodiversity values and the lack of detail underpinning the ‘very effective’ rating for management of protected areas.
• Assessments or actions on the threat of new port developments, including the clear breach of the UNESCO recommendation for a hold on new port developments during the assessment process which was breached by approvals at Abbot Point and the continuing approvals processes at other Queensland ports.
• The broad brush stroke of cutting the reef up into only 4 zones for condition and trend analysis lacks the required definition for a true regionalised picture of species and ecosystem health.
• More detail is required to address the issue of noise pollution which is rated as being a ‘high risk’ to biodiversity but a relatively long two-year time frame has been allocated to “strengthen guidelines”. The Program Report states that the Authority will encourage and support research into noise impacts, but no timeframe is provided.
• Better demonstration of how legislation or other planning instruments achieve outcomes is required.
• An explanation on why OUVs/natural values have declined despite apparently ‘effective’ or ‘partially effective’ management programs.
• Clear actions addressing the various noted medium – high fishing risks.
• Clear detailed actions addressing the existing and emerging risks of climate change. This is a key issue with respect to severe weather events potentially tipping a fragile ecosystem already in decline and with increased pressures.
• Clarity on how the principles of ESD are applied in the program or how the precautionary principle is applied under Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (the legislation noted)
• There is a reliance on the use of offsets to achieve environmental goals that is not backed up with detail regarding how these offsets will be managed, prioritised or implemented.
• The recommendation regarding the development of a cumulative impact assessment policy is supported by CAFNEC as clarity around this issue is long overdue. There is insufficient detail regarding this and it is a policy that should be developed and included in the strategic assessment rather than yet another ‘plan for a plan’.
• For the ‘extent, condition and trend’ assessments the trend may be presented as “good”, but the confidence is “limited”. The ratings are stated as having been adapted from Australia’s State of the Environment reports. Under these guidelines a trend of “good” or higher is misleading.
• The environmental legislation referred to as having been adequate or good protecting environmental values over the past few years has, or is currently undergoing considerable change to facilitate economic growth with the focus on development approvals and streamlining these.
• The report notes that farming practices in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) Coastal Zone have led to improved practices and water quality from off farm impacts (nutrients, sediment, pesticides) and that this trend is expected to continue. The Great Barrier Reef report card for the reef program in fact shows that adoption of Best Management Practices is low and progress toward targets is very low. Additionally, a regulatory driver to change practices has been halted in preference to a voluntary approach.
• Despite several references to the need for resilience of the GBRWHA to cope with climate change and extreme weather events, working toward building resilience has not been addressed.
• The 32 per cent of GBR coastal zone mentioned as being within conservation areas is now afforded less environmental protection due to considerable changes in legislation over the past 18 months.
• The assessment of threatened species, migratory species and threatened ecological communities is flawed in that, for example of 175 threatened species in the GBR coastal zone, only 11 key species are considered due to exclusions. This, as stated, is largely because they are not triggered under the EPBC Act for development assessment. In some instances, species were omitted due to lack of sighting data.
• The assessment of cumulative impacts and threats to MNES values is flawed and inadequate. For example, impact on MNES vales and the need to avoid, mitigate or offset is provided in the context of development approvals rather than in the maintenance and/or improvement of these values.
• Threatened ecological communities have been excluded because of 7 only 2 have the “majority of their extent” within the GBR coastal zone.
• Despite noting the weaknesses in past and current processes/systems to monitor or assess cumulative impacts, an assessment is provided without accompanying confidence levels in this assessment.
• Acknowledgement and action regarding the known serious risk dredging and dumping of dredge spoil can have on a system poses to the reef, instead labelling this a medium risk.
• Genuine recommendations and actions to address Port Management and Shipping Management rather than reference to draft plans which fail to address impacts adequately in their current form, including increased actions that demonstrate water quality management priorities around dredging and shipping.
• Proper actions to address noise pollution which is rated a high risk, including the development of enforceable standards for limiting noise pollution.
• Proper consideration, assessment of and actions on

1.4          CAFNEC seeks inclusion of

a) the cumulative impacts on a fragile interconnected system and;

b) reef resilience to withstand further pressures (including climate change) including improved consideration, assessment of and actions on the complex interactions between ecological processes (e.g. ocean acidification and species recruitment) and the threats of resultant impacts when one part of the system is impacted.

• An annual “dashboard” of trends in “key indicators” (water quality etc.) on GBRMPA’s website.
• Information on and reference to any risk assessment studies on the impacts of ship traffic.
• The Final Report would benefit from a cross-reference table setting out exactly where each specific ToR is addressed in the Draft Strategic Assessment and the Draft Program Report. This applies also to the Queensland Assessment and Report. This would identify any gaps – which would need to be addressed.
• Given the import of the issue, it would also be appropriate for the Final documents to include investigation of the issue of uranium mining in and transport through the GBRWHA region – even though this was added to the MNES listed in the EPBC Act after the ToR for the Strategic Assessment were finalised.
• Recommendations to better coordinate water quality testing, including before and after dredging events.
• Increased management of water quality from catchment activity runoff.
• Illegal fishing and poaching are rated as a very high risk to the reef’s biodiversity and heritage values and we support Recommendation 16 to improve compliance.

1.5          CAFNEC particularly commends

1.6          Detailed comment on key areas of concern for CAFNEC

Port Developments and management.

There is a real need for more detail on port development in the reports. This is a very surprising oversight particularly in light of the World Heritage Committee’s concerns about port expansions throughout the Great Barrier Reef Coastal Zone.

Proposed port developments such as the Cairns port dredging expansion project are not adequately addressed in any of the reports. The description of port development and related activities such as dredging and shipping require further detail.

The Qld coastal program report does not actually deal effectively with the issues of port development, instead deferring to the draft Queensland ports strategy. This is a document which is not finalised and does not, in its current form, achieve the stated objective of “consolidation of port development around long-established major ports in Queensland’ due to the many loopholes in relation to exceptions and developments that have pending approvals.

It is our view that the reference to the commitment to limit future port developments to the existing port limits until 2022 is insufficiently explained to the point of being potentially misleading. Significant expansion of port capacity to accommodate new shipping berths could occur within the existing port limits at many port locations and a range of developments for which approval processes have already started could occur. The majority of concerns raised regarding port expansions on the Great Barrier Reef have occurred in response to proposals to increase capacity within existing port limits. Also, the Program life is stated to be 25 years, which is longer than the currency of the 2022 port commitment.

This is symptomatic of the ‘overall business as usual’ approach of the coastal zone reports that repeatedly point to one or another plan, strategy or other document without proper consideration of their effectiveness or required improvements. The approach of abdicating responsibility for, or examination of, important issues simply by reference to plans or policies that are often not effective or even in place does not stand up to proper scrutiny.

We have serious concerns regarding the “one stop shop” approach. The Queensland Government is either a vocal supporter of major economic developments or the actual proponent (in the case of the Cairns port, the government-owned corporation of Ports North). We believe delegating the assessment of projects that may significantly impact the reef to the Queensland Government could result in a conflict of interest. We doubt have little confidence the Queensland Government will allocate the resources, or have the appropriate culture, to impose and enforce the conditions necessary to protect the Reef.

There is insufficient justification provided for the assessment of risks relating to ports and dredging activities in the reports.

Fisheries management 

The issue of fisheries management has not been adequately addressed in either the coastal or marine strategic assessment documents. Various forms of extraction are rated as medium to high risk (Appendix 4 in the program report) but these impacts are not comprehensively addressed in the proposed program. We support Recommendation 29 to adopt regionally based cooperative approaches to protect biodiversity hotspots, and note there are no relevant recommendations in the coastal zone assessment.

The strategic assessment has rated fishing spawning aggregations as a “high” risk yet the program report does not directly address the impact other than through broad statements about working with partners and stakeholders.

Illegal fishing and poaching are rated as a very high risk to the reef’s biodiversity and heritage values and we support Recommendation 16 to improve compliance.

Potential impacts from aquaculture are poorly examined in the reports and an examination and recommendations regarding the regulation of aquaculture activities is an omission form the reports that need to be rectified.

Climate change and ocean Acidification

Existing and emerging risks to the Great Barrier Reef associated with climate change are not discussed to the level of detail expected to be consistent with the Terms of Reference. CAFNEC concurs with the following assessment taken from the SKM independent review of the Coastal Zone Strategic Assessment.

“The impact of severe weather events on the Great Barrier Reef could be better explained to provide the reader with more information on the interaction of anthropogenic activities with severe weather events. Severe weather events are identified as posing one of the highest future risks to the Great Barrier Reef, and are expected to become more severe in the future, due to the influences of climate change. However the Great Barrier Reef has been exposed to severe weather events for thousands of years, and these events alone do not explain the declining condition and trend of the reef.

An important component of the description of severe weather events is the cumulative impact of human-related activities which may be manifested during such events. For example, floods carry more sediment, nutrients and pesticides onto the reef than would have been the case prior to European settlement, due to land uses in the catchment. The reports could do more to acknowledge that pressures from human activity are capable of exacerbating impacts from severe weather events.”

Water Quality

We support recommendations to better coordinate water quality testing, including before during and after dredging operations. We would like to see an annual “dashboard” of key indicators produced for the GBRMPA website that clearly shows the trend in key indicators (eg. water quality, crown-on-thorns starfish, dredge spoil, bleaching events, pH, water temp and extreme weather event frequency).

We support the strong focus on the management of water quality issues arising from runoff within the catchment as a means of protecting MNES of the Great Barrier Reef and mitigating the impacts of sediment, nutrient and pesticide discharges.

However, we are concerned that the focus on prevention of sediment runoff to the reef seems to be restricted to farming and revegetation actions and largely ignore the impacts of shipping and dredging in suspending sediments. The approved and proposed dredging projects along the GBR coastline would suspend volumes of sediment and order of magnitude higher than the worthy and much needed programs and investment in preventing land based erosion. While the reports do identify the problem e.g. “The operation of ports and further port development will require capital and maintenance dredging, potentially involving much larger volumes. Recent research indicates re-suspended dredge material may move over much greater distances from disposal sites than previously assumed. While the full extent of any effects on the Region’s values is not well understood, uncertainty regarding the additional effects of sea dumping is a key concern, particularly given the potential for large volumes of proposed dredge material to be dumped and resuspended in areas of the Region already in poor condition” the reports and recommendations do little to address this problem.

Shipping Management

We are concerned that the Reports do not address the issue of shipping in a thorough manner instead deferring entirely to the draft North – East Shipping Management Plan, a document that is not finalised and falls short in addressing issues such as sediment plumes from shipping movements (under vessel clearance), noise pollution and the expected increases in size and number of vessels both visiting Queensland ports or travelling past without coming ashore in Queensland.

Noise Pollution

The examination of the issue of noise pollution in the Strategic Assessment is inadequate. The assessment notes the lack of specific standards for the range of noise pollution affecting Great Barrier Reef species. However there is no recommendation for the development or implementation of these much needed standards. Recommendations and actions need to go beyond a loose commitment to ‘improving understanding’ and outline a clear path to action on this important issue.

Ecologically sustainable development principles

We contend that the principles of ecologically sustainable development are not adequately applied in the reports, particularly the coastal zone reports. This is well summarised in the SKM Independent review report:

“It is not clear how the principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD) are applied in the Program. The discussion of ESD is insufficient. One of the principles ‘improved valuation, pricing and incentive measures’ has been misinterpreted. The principle includes the following key aspects: polluter-pays, environmental factors should be included in the valuing of assets and services, costs should reflect the full life cycle of goods and structures, and financial or market incentives for developing effective solutions with a positive impact are available. It is not clear how the examples mentioned in the text (page 323) reflect or apply this principle.

The two other ESD principles (decision-making processes integrate both long and short term considerations, and the precautionary principle) are not addressed in detail. The precautionary principle is noted as being enshrined in the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, but further explanation would be helpful on how it is applied. Greater focus on long-term or forward looking measures, which are encapsulated in the first ESD principle (see page 321 of the Assessment Report) is recommended. Much of the coastal development and infrastructure within the Great Barrier Reef Coastal Zone (especially ports) will have a design life spanning decades.”

There is a need to incorporate increased consideration of the interactions between ecological processes e.g. ocean acidification and other threats in the assessment of cumulative impacts and maintain and increasing reef resilience.

Offsets

There is a perceived reliance on the use of offsets to achieve environmental goals that is not backed up with detail regarding how these offsets will be managed, prioritised or implemented. It is our contention that in all cases prevention is better than cure and the reliance on offsets that may only be implemented gradually and well after the impacts they are designed to offset is a serious concern given the precarious state of reef health outlined in the report. Offsetting damage already done to the reef environment is a priority and preventing, rather than offsetting, future impacts must remain the key goal.

We concur with the opinion expressed in the SKM report:

“The application of offsets warrants greater scrutiny and analysis in the Strategic Assessment. It is generally acknowledged that offsets to date have been reactive, ad hoc and sited in areas of convenience, rather than for good ecological outcomes. As this is the pillar of the offsets component in the ‘avoid-mitigate-offset’ framework, some data on the number of offsets under the existing Program, their average size and condition is recommended. Information on ongoing management arrangements would also assist the reader in understanding how the current policy is applied. The assessment of ‘partially effective’ for offsets is not substantiated by hard evidence in the Assessment Report. The ‘limited’ confidence rating for this assessment is appropriate. It is noted that a new Queensland offsets policy is currently under development.”

Adequate Resourcing

It is apparent to us that significant additional resourcing will be required to implement the recommendations in both the marine and coastal strategic assessments. The plan required a clear outline of how this additional resourcing will be provided.

Development assessments and approvals

We note Recommendation 8 to streamline assessment processes and have deep reservations about a “one stop shop” approach. The Queensland Government is either a vocal supporter of major economic developments or the actual proponent (in the case of the Cairns port, the government-owned corporation of Ports North). We believe delegating the assessment of projects that may significantly impact the reef to the Queensland Government could result in a conflict of interest. We have little confidence the Queensland Government will allocate the resources, or have the appropriate culture, to impose and enforce the conditions necessary to protect the Reef.

We contend that a better approach would be to improve the efficiency of the existing EPBC Act assessment and approval processes. The Federal Government has successfully provided an independent check on major projects over a number of years. On occasions, projects are refused but more often valuable extra conditions are imposed that ensure positive environmental outcomes. We believe the continuing involvement of the Federal Government, GBRMPA and/or an independent referral agency is absolutely necessary to counterbalance the self-assessment and decision-making power of a single Queensland Government agency.

Best practice environmental frameworks require affected communities to be consulted and to participate where there are environmental risks that might affect them. For an open and accountable system, our communities have a role to play to ensure the rule of law is respected. This means the public should have access to information and the right to be involved in assessment, review and enforcement processes.

The post Comment on the Great Barrier Reef Strategic Assessment appeared first on CAFNEC.

Cairns Port Dredging Proposal – another Gladstone?

Ports North proposes to dredge over 5 million m³ of potentially contaminated mud to expand the Cairns shipping channel. This proposal is known at the Cairns Shipping Development Project. Dredging and dumping of dredge spoil poses many risks to the environment and to our fishing and tourism industries. Dangers include smothering and cutting off light to seagrass beds and coral reefs, and stirring up toxins and acid sulphate soils which can lead to fish kills, disease and toxic mud washing up on our northern beaches.

• Read our Media Release regarding this article here.
• For more background and links to other detailed information on the proposal start here.

What happened when they dredged in Gladstone?

Flowchart – What happened when they dredged Gladstone Harbour?

In 2011 the Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) commenced their Western Basin Dredging and Disposal Project (WBDDP) in the Port of Gladstone, Central Queensland. The approval of the project contributed to the decision by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee to undertake the Reactive Monitoring Mission, a research project resulting in a call to review the Great Barrier Reef’s World Heritage status.¹  The Great Barrier Reef may be put on the World Heritage Area “In Danger” list in June 2014, in part due to Gladstone and other approved or pending dredging proposals.

The project has been a source of ongoing strife within the Gladstone community. The problems escalated from April 2011 until a three-week fishing ban was imposed in September of 2011 due to an outbreak of diseased fish in the harbour.  Fishermen believed the outbreak was caused by contaminants released into the water by dredging activities.  Over 40 fishermen developed health symptoms, including painful boils, which developed on their arms and legs after contact with the water.¹¹

In response, GPC and the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) released several reports claiming the outbreak of disease was not due to dredging activities, but rather a result of flooding events in late 2010 and early 2011. They also maintained that high turbidity levels in the harbour were a result of tidal activity.⁵ An investigation done by Dr. Matt Landos, director of Future Fisheries Veterinary Services, however, found the opposite. His report, commissioned by the Gladstone Fishing Research Fund, linked dredging to disease, parasitism and toxic algal blooms. Furthermore, his report also explained that the freshwater flood could not have been the cause of the disease, as the timing and nature of disease did not support that explanation.⁶

Although GPC released comments refuting Dr. Landos’ research, he quickly dispelled their argument that flooding was the cause of disease, citing a larger flood, which occurred in January 2013 and had not produced similar effects in the harbour.⁷ and the fact that pathologies observed across the range of affected species could not be caused by freshwater.

Cover ups?

For reasons not provided by GPC to the public, the original design for the project’s bund walls (barriers created around the dredge spoil dump area to keep sediments in while clean water filters out) was modified to accommodate the use of a suboptimal geotextile. The original design and placement of the geotextile within the wall was changed so that the geotextile layer rested on the exterior side of the bund wall, resulting in a leak that released sediments containing heavy metals and other toxins into the harbour. The public was not informed of this design flaw for two years; GPC continued to maintain that increased turbidity levels in the harbour were due to tidal activity and the flooding events of 2010.⁸

An application for a transitional environment program lodged in June 2012 confirmed the environmental impact of the original bund wall failure and how an initial response had not fixed the problem. Documents showed that GPC was aware of the extent of the environmental threat posed by the bund wall failure.  However, no fine or punishment has been administered, and no one has been held accountable for the change of the agreed design that caused the bund wall failure.⁸

Another report was also withheld from the public, only released four years after it had been completed. The report, commissioned by Central Queensland University, found effects from tributyltin (a toxic chemical used in anti-fouling paints) were worsening in certain marine species in the harbour. An environmental law expert from the University of Queensland claimed the failure to release the report until now may be a breach of Federal Law, as its findings could have altered the approval process for the project. GPC claimed they did not release the report because of restrictions in their research agreement with the University, however a CQU spokeswoman stated no such restrictions were in place.²

Has the situation been resolved?

Diseased Barramundi after dredging in Gladstone Harbour, insets dead dugong and turtle from after Gladstone dredging. Source ABC, credits, Gladstone fish market, ABC TV, Tony Falzon.

Although GPC has put together a compensation package for fishermen willing to apply, QSIA Chairman Michael Gardner says the magnitude of the effects of the project have not been addressed, making the package not only inadequate but an insult to the fishermen and their families.¹⁰ Presently, A group of over 50 fishermen are seeking $20 million in compensation. Their case against GPC will be heard on 20 January in the Planning and Environment Court.³

What are the dredging risks for Cairns?

The Cairns Port Expansion project if approved would have a double impact. First would be the massive impact of the capital works dredging to deepen and widen the channel. Secondly the expanded channel would require a massive increase in the amount of maintenance dredging as currently occurs, an impact that would occur year after year and tip over the edge an environment already struggling to deal with a range of human impacts.

Dredge spoil dumping increases water turbidity (muddiness), which smothers and cuts off light to corals and seagrasses. Our seagrass is in its worst state in recorded history and has not recovered from cyclone Yasi as it should have as revealed in our recent article Seagrass beds at record low – could the port expansion push them over the edge?. The recently released draft strategic assessment for the GBR has identified most of the reef as being in poor health and sediment and nutrient load as a major threat to reef health. Dredge spoil dumped in our region impacts on offshore reefs and would further muddy our Northern beaches.

The mud to be dredged is almost certainly contaminated, and resuspending this sediment into the greater Trinity environment could lead to wildlife, and perhaps even human, health impacts. We only need to look at the outcomes of dredging in Gladstone harbour outlined above to understand the risks associated with this. A healthy marine environment is vital for our tourism and fishing industries and for community wellbeing. It’s not too late to withdraw the Cairns Shipping Development Project proposal and protect the beautiful marine environment we are so lucky to have on our doorstep.

References

1. Aglus, E. S. (2011, 08 06). LNG rebuke: Inspectors to visit reef after UN blast. Retrieved 12 17, 2013, from The Sydney Morning Herald:http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/lng-rebuke-inspectors-to-visit-reef-after-un-blast-20110805-1ifi9.html

2. Burdon, D. (2013, 11 15). Eco expert says GPC may have breached federal law . Retrieved 12 17, 2013, from The Gladstone Observer: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/gpc-may-have-breached-law/2084832/

3. Davies, A. (2013, 11 15). Fishermen suing ports corp have case mentioned in court. Retrieved 12 17, 2013, from The Gladstone Observer: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/fishermen-suing-ports-corporation-have-case-mentio/2085258/

4. Fishing World. (2013, 11 18). Gladstone cover-up exposed. (Yaffa Publishing Group) Retrieved 12 17, 2013, from Fishing World: http://www.fishingworld.com.au/news/gladstone-cover-up-exposed

5. Gladstone Ports Corporation. (2011, 10 2011). Briefing Western Basin Dredging and Disposal Project Environmental Impacts. Retrieved 12 27, 2013, from Gladstone Ports Corporaton Limited: http://www.gpcl.com.au/Portals/0/pdf/Current_Projects/Western%20Basin/Briefing_v12_Western_Basin_Dredging_and_Disposal_Project_Environmental_Impacts.pdf

6. Landos, D. M. (2012, 10 1). Investigation of the Cuases of Aquatic Animal Health Problems in the Gladstone Harbour and Nearshore Waters. Retrieved 12 17, 2013, from Great Barrier Reef: http://www.greatbarrierreef.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/FFVS-EXECUTIVE-SUMMARY1.pdf

7. Landos, D. M. (2013). Short Summary Response to Gladstone Ports Corporation scientist submission. Future Fisheries Veterinary Service, Aquatic Animal Health Chapter. Online: Gladstone Fishing Research Fund.

8. Moore, Tony. “Gladstone Harbour bund wall failures explained.” Brisbane Times. N.p., 20 Dec. 2013. Web. 6 Jan. 2014. <http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/gladstone-harbour-bund-wall-failures-explained-20131220-2zr0r.html>.

9. Pattison-Sowden, M. (2013, 10 19). Newly released report blames dredging of harbour woes. Retrieved 12 17, 2013, from The Gladstone Observer : http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/fishers-probe-report-validity/2056831/

10. Sparkes, D. (2012, 12 21). Seafood industry rep blasts compensation package. Retrieved 12 17, 2013, from The Gladstone Observer: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/seafood-industry-representative-blasts-compensatio/1693705/

11. The Sydney Morning Herald Environment. (2011, 10 06). Fishing ban lifted in Gladstone Harbour. Retrieved 12 17, 2013, from The Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/fishing-ban-lifted-in-gladstone-harbour-20111007-1lcwk.html

Authors: Maya Knowles and Josh Coates. The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Dr Andrew Jeremijenko and Dr Matt Landos in reviewing this article.

The post Cairns Port Dredging Proposal – another Gladstone? appeared first on CAFNEC.

Far-North Queensland Community Survey

We have launched our new survey designed to assess your opinions regarding the current and future environmental health of the Great Barrier Reef.

We plan to use the results to identify community and business priorities, and help facilitate action to protect our world heritage icon.

1st Prize: Two nights accommodation and breakfast at a gorgeous resort for Two

2nd Prize: Family Day trip to the Outer Barrier Reef

3rd Prize: Dinner for Two at a gorgeous local seafood restaurant

4th Prize: HAMPER worth over $150

5th Prize: Cash Cheque for $100

Proudly sponsored by concerned local Businesses (To be published)

Draw Date 28th January, 2014 at CAFNEC

Please take the time to have your say and encourage others to do the same:

• Fill out the survey online here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FG2HH3Z
• Or fill out the survey right here at the bottom of this page!

and,

• Please share the above link via social media and email.

or,

• Download a copy of the survey and print it out and follow the instructions on the survey to return it: reef future survey for web

The team behind this survey care about our environment and small and medium size businesses that rely on the health of our world class environmental asset – The Great Barrier Reef.

This questionnaire is about sending a collective message to our political representatives, corporate business owners and relevant organisations regarding our concerns.

Thank you for your time!

The post What is the future of the Great Barrier Reef – community survey appeared first on CAFNEC.

“It’s your reef, but you’re going to have to fight for it.” Bob Irwin

Come and hear why our reef is too great to lose.

When: Thursday 27 June, 6.30pm

Where: Rydges Plaza, Cnr Spence and Grafton Sts, Cairns.

Join us for a light supper afterwards.

Brought to you by the Australian Marine Conservation Society, WWF and the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre.

Find out more about the Fight for the Reef campaign.

The post Bob Irwin speaks for the reef – Cairns June 27th appeared first on CAFNEC.

Photograph by Xanthe Rivett

Reef Walk 2013 is a community project initiated by 72 year old June Norman. This year June, along with a group of committed people, is walkomg the 1,200 km from Cairns to Gladstone to highlight threats to the reef.

The Reef Walkers left Cairns on Saturday 1st June with a strong display of community support. 

Want to join the walk? For more information on joining the walk visit reefwalk2013.com.

Why walk?

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef ecosystem on our blue planet, representing about 10% of all the world’s coral reefs. It is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is dearly loved by locals and visitors alike.

There are more different species of animals and plants in a cubic metre of the
Australia’s oceans are some of the richest and most diverse on our blue planet. Global studies have revealed that our northern oceans are some of the last remaining healthy tropical seas in the world. In our cool blue south, an incredible 80% of the marine species living in our temperate oceans occur nowhere else on Earth. Great Barrier Reef than in any other environment in the world – including tropical rainforests. In fact, some reefs in the Great Barrier Reef have more different fish types than in the entire Caribbean Ocean.

In terms of the Australian economy, the Great Barrier Reef alone generates over 6 billion dollars worth of revenue per year. But all this is under threat from plans from unprecedented expansion of the coal industry coal seam gas and its associated infrastructure.

Queensland’s 50 new port, rail and mine developments are too much, too quickly for a reef already under pressure.

Up to 10,000 ships a year through the Great Barrier Reef by the end of the decade, compared to less than 2.000 in 2011.

The post Reef Walk 2013 – Cairns to Gladstone appeared first on CAFNEC.

The post Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior arrives in Cairns April 27 appeared first on CAFNEC.

Featuring Louise Mattheisson from Greenpeace and Mark Ogge from the Australia Institute.

Coal mining companies are planning up to nine new coal terminals along the Great Barrier Reef coast, meaning thousands more coal ships crossing the reef and millions of tonnes of sea-bed dredging. Come along to find out what this means for the reef that we all love.

Read more in our media release.

The post Public forum – Reef at Risk: Coal mining and the Great Barrier Reef, THIS THURSDAY 7 Feb appeared first on CAFNEC.