Scientist slams management of the Great Barrier Reef
A scientist that will meet with UNESCO later this week says the management of parts of the Great Barrier Reef world heritage area is totally inadequate. UNESCO is in Queensland this week to evaluate the management of the reef after having raised ‘extreme concern’ following approvals for major port developments within the World Heritage Area.
One of the developments is in the Gladstone Harbour – and concern have been raised over the project and if the dredging associated with it can be linked to an outbreak of fish disease in the area. The Queensland Government Department for Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has said there is no evidence linking the fish disease to the dredging. But water quality scientist at James Cook University, Jon Brodie – who will meet with UNESCO – says DERM’s reports are flawed and the management of parts of the World Heritage Area is not good enough.