Great Barrier Reef
Traditional Management strategies
Species monitoring
Indigenous people are being trained to use their traditional methods of tracking and combined these skills with modern technology to help track turtle using GPS trackers.
Indigenous rangers protecting turtles
Fishing techniques
Low intensity fishing techniques were/are used in line with the concept of subsistence, where communities only take as much as they need.
using long multi-pronged spears, nets, fish traps, barbed harpoons with detachable heads.
Taboos
Particular sites and species are taboo in certain communities. This provides protection for these areas or species.
Reef and lagoon tenure (traditional ownership)
- tribes have rights over particular reefs
- fishing rights are in particular areas at particular times based on local knowledge of seasons, phases of the moon and spawning seasons.
- known as rahuii in the Cook Islands
Indigenous people are being trained to use their traditional methods of tracking and combined these skills with modern technology to help track turtle using GPS trackers.
Indigenous rangers protecting turtles
Fishing techniques
Low intensity fishing techniques were/are used in line with the concept of subsistence, where communities only take as much as they need.
using long multi-pronged spears, nets, fish traps, barbed harpoons with detachable heads.
Taboos
Particular sites and species are taboo in certain communities. This provides protection for these areas or species.
Reef and lagoon tenure (traditional ownership)
- tribes have rights over particular reefs
- fishing rights are in particular areas at particular times based on local knowledge of seasons, phases of the moon and spawning seasons.
- known as rahuii in the Cook Islands
Contemporary Management Strategies
Legislation
Legislation specific to the GBR
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management Charge-Excise) Act 1993
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management Charge-General) Act 1999
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Aquaculture) Regulations 2000
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003
General legislation - Commonwealth
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981
Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976
Native Title Act 1993
Protection of the Sea (Prevention of pollution from ships) Act 1983
Sea Installations Act 1987
General legislation - Queensland
Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995
Environmental Protection Act 1994
Fisheries Act 1994
Marine Parks Act 2004
Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993
Nature Conservation Act 1992
Sustainable Planning Act 2009
Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995
Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994
Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995
International Conventions
Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 1972 (the World Heritage Convention)
Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 (the Biodiversity Convention)
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1973 (CITES)
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, 1979 (the Bonn Convention)
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitats, 1971 (the Ramsar Convention)
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (the MARPOL Convention)
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 (the Law of the Sea Convention or UNCLOS)
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1992 (the FCCC)
Government Policy
There are a range of policies in place covering issues such as tourism, scientific research, protected species and the environment in general. An example is the Queensland Government has in place the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan of 2009. The Plan aims to reduce pollutants in the water entering the reef and rehabilitate and conserve areas of the reef. This is to be done throughout improved land management practices, coordinated education services to landholders and protecting wetland areas near reefs.
Education
The Head Office of the Marine Park Authority is located at Townsville. There is a large indoor coral aquarium with large screen presentations of the reef and its protection. Tour guides must be trained to ensure that impacts from tourists are minimised.
Zoning
The GBR Marine Park has several different types of zoning. It allows fishing only in certain areas, puts limits in place for traditional hunting of turtles, dugongs, etc, fishing limits (size and number). Commercial fishing is only allowed in certain areas.
- "No-take" zones
- Preservation Zones and Scientific Research Zones - only controlled scientific research is allowed.
- Marine National Park Zones - major uses permitted are scientific, educational and recreational, plus a marine park buffer zone.
- General Use Zones - uses are allowed which do not jeopardise the ecosystem. Commercial and recreational fishing are generally permitted, although bottom trawling is prohibited in some parts.
Zoning, Permits and Plans
Species protection
Protected and no-take species
Species control
Managing Crown of Thorns starfish outbreaks
Monitoring
Reef monitoring: tourists step up to the post
Coral Watch
Coral Watch is associated with the University of Queensland. It uses the Coral Health Chart to monitor areas for coral bleaching, and general coral health. Users compare the colour of corals to the colour chart and record the information. The public are invited to monitor their local reefs while diving, snorkelling or reef walking. Coral Watch produces a Do It Yourself Kit which contains the Coral Health chart and a Coral Watch data sheet. Results can then be logged at the Coral Watch website. Worldwide data can also be viewed on the website.
www.coralwatch.org
Legislation specific to the GBR
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management Charge-Excise) Act 1993
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Environmental Management Charge-General) Act 1999
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Aquaculture) Regulations 2000
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003
General legislation - Commonwealth
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981
Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976
Native Title Act 1993
Protection of the Sea (Prevention of pollution from ships) Act 1983
Sea Installations Act 1987
General legislation - Queensland
Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995
Environmental Protection Act 1994
Fisheries Act 1994
Marine Parks Act 2004
Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993
Nature Conservation Act 1992
Sustainable Planning Act 2009
Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995
Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994
Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995
International Conventions
Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 1972 (the World Heritage Convention)
Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 (the Biodiversity Convention)
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1973 (CITES)
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, 1979 (the Bonn Convention)
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitats, 1971 (the Ramsar Convention)
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (the MARPOL Convention)
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 (the Law of the Sea Convention or UNCLOS)
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1992 (the FCCC)
Government Policy
There are a range of policies in place covering issues such as tourism, scientific research, protected species and the environment in general. An example is the Queensland Government has in place the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan of 2009. The Plan aims to reduce pollutants in the water entering the reef and rehabilitate and conserve areas of the reef. This is to be done throughout improved land management practices, coordinated education services to landholders and protecting wetland areas near reefs.
Education
The Head Office of the Marine Park Authority is located at Townsville. There is a large indoor coral aquarium with large screen presentations of the reef and its protection. Tour guides must be trained to ensure that impacts from tourists are minimised.
Zoning
The GBR Marine Park has several different types of zoning. It allows fishing only in certain areas, puts limits in place for traditional hunting of turtles, dugongs, etc, fishing limits (size and number). Commercial fishing is only allowed in certain areas.
- "No-take" zones
- Preservation Zones and Scientific Research Zones - only controlled scientific research is allowed.
- Marine National Park Zones - major uses permitted are scientific, educational and recreational, plus a marine park buffer zone.
- General Use Zones - uses are allowed which do not jeopardise the ecosystem. Commercial and recreational fishing are generally permitted, although bottom trawling is prohibited in some parts.
Zoning, Permits and Plans
Species protection
Protected and no-take species
Species control
Managing Crown of Thorns starfish outbreaks
Monitoring
Reef monitoring: tourists step up to the post
Coral Watch
Coral Watch is associated with the University of Queensland. It uses the Coral Health Chart to monitor areas for coral bleaching, and general coral health. Users compare the colour of corals to the colour chart and record the information. The public are invited to monitor their local reefs while diving, snorkelling or reef walking. Coral Watch produces a Do It Yourself Kit which contains the Coral Health chart and a Coral Watch data sheet. Results can then be logged at the Coral Watch website. Worldwide data can also be viewed on the website.
www.coralwatch.org
Reef restoration
This includes:
- revegetating canals to reduce sediment in run off
- building artificial lagoons
- sediment/ silt traps
- building small dam-like structures to slow the flow of water.
Research
Research is continually being undertaken to measure the effectiveness of current strategies.
Various universities in Queensland offer courses and postgraduate opportunities to conduct research on corals. For example, Nova Southeastern University runs an Oceanographic Center, Ecosystems Science Research Facility, the National Coral Reef Institute, the Guy Harvey Research Institute, the Save Our Seas Shark Center and the Sea Turtle Conservation Program.
This includes:
- revegetating canals to reduce sediment in run off
- building artificial lagoons
- sediment/ silt traps
- building small dam-like structures to slow the flow of water.
Research
Research is continually being undertaken to measure the effectiveness of current strategies.
Various universities in Queensland offer courses and postgraduate opportunities to conduct research on corals. For example, Nova Southeastern University runs an Oceanographic Center, Ecosystems Science Research Facility, the National Coral Reef Institute, the Guy Harvey Research Institute, the Save Our Seas Shark Center and the Sea Turtle Conservation Program.
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River runoff
There are a range of reasons why the issue of river pollution and its impact has not been effectively resolved. While some progress has been made many farmers still hold the opinion that they are not causing damage to the reef. In addition, many have inadequate funds and resources to respond to the issue. There is also a lot of red tape and in some cases the costs are too high. Some management strategies which have been put in place:
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Tony Bugeja - reducing runoff
Tony Bugeja is a third generation sugar cane farmer in Mackay. A serious issue affecting the Great Barrier Reef is the impact of runoff from sugar cane farms. This runoff contains fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides. When it enters the water the increase in phosphorous encourages eutrophication and algal blooms. The other nutrients and sediments in the runoff smother the corals. Tony was concerned with the reputation of sugar cane farmers as environmental vandals and wanted to ensure the effective management of the reef for his community. He set up a project to reduce runoff with other farmers in his area. In doing so, he has proved that it is also profitable to do so. 80 farmers became involved and they are promoting the systems to others. Monitoring has shown that the project has been able to increase water quality. The project has had the added benefit of influencing the thinking of the sugar cane companies who purchase the sugar cane. The companies are also under pressure from consumers who are searching for sustainable products. Read more: Mackay farmers honoured with reef rescue accolades. |
Great Barrier Reef report in: time to make polluters pay
Sweet methods: Queensland sugar cane growers reducing water runoff
Sweet methods: Queensland sugar cane growers reducing water runoff
Effectiveness
There are a number of factors which impact on the effectiveness of management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Scale. Given the size of the park and limited resources, only certain parts of the park can be given adequate protection. There is a serious lack of funding and staffing to manage the park effectively.
Population pressure and coastal tourism. Special and ongoing demands are being placed on the reef to attract tourists and provide for the increasing population of coastal Queensland. These demands can be at odds with conservation and preservation practices.
Political ideology. The new Liberal state government in Queensland is very predevelopment. It is anticipated that many of the developments they are approving will have detrimental effects on the GBR.
Mining and port developments. The impact of mining and port developments close to the Queensland coastline are likely to have long term impacts on the ecological functioning of the coral reefs ecosystem.
Conflicts of interest of people on the Board of the Great Barrier Reef Park Authority have come to light. Two men on the Board are also owners of mining companies.
Call for CMC inquiry into alleged Barrier Reef conflicts of interest
Scale. Given the size of the park and limited resources, only certain parts of the park can be given adequate protection. There is a serious lack of funding and staffing to manage the park effectively.
Population pressure and coastal tourism. Special and ongoing demands are being placed on the reef to attract tourists and provide for the increasing population of coastal Queensland. These demands can be at odds with conservation and preservation practices.
Political ideology. The new Liberal state government in Queensland is very predevelopment. It is anticipated that many of the developments they are approving will have detrimental effects on the GBR.
Mining and port developments. The impact of mining and port developments close to the Queensland coastline are likely to have long term impacts on the ecological functioning of the coral reefs ecosystem.
Conflicts of interest of people on the Board of the Great Barrier Reef Park Authority have come to light. Two men on the Board are also owners of mining companies.
Call for CMC inquiry into alleged Barrier Reef conflicts of interest