The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) recently approved a proposal to expand the Abbot Point coal port. This means that 3 million cubic meters of previously undisturbed seabed will be dredged, releasing sediments and disrupting habitats. While the Environmental Minister Greg Hunt says that there will be strict environmental standards for the expansion, other … [Read more...]
GBR Noise Pollution
On top of global climate change threatening the future of the Great Barrier Reef, there are a number of ecological concerns with the proposed dredging in preparation for expansion of the Gladstone and Abbot Point ports to handle coal exports to China. Something that I don't think has received enough attention is the increase in noise pollution as a result of this. This will … [Read more...]
GBR at risk for being classified as “in danger” by UNESCO
In light of Australia's decision to expand Abbott Port and dispose of the dredged sediment associated with that expansion within the GBR marine reserve, UNESCO is contemplating demoting the Great Barrier Reef from a World Heritage Site to a World Heritage Site in Danger. UNESCO officials are currently reviewing the Australian government's report on the state of conservation for … [Read more...]
Dredging near the Great Barrier Reef
The proposal to dredge off the coast of Australia has been approved, but under very strict conditions by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). This project will take place at Abbot Point and will be expanding a port there for higher production, making it a much larger port than others on the coast of Australia. Below are the project proposals, the rejected … [Read more...]
Give it to the people the way they want it
One of the readings for this week that we didn't talk about in class, but which is hugely relevant to the upcoming stakeholder debate, is Grorud-Covert et. al.'s article on communicating marine reserve science. I'm sure it was pretty obvious to all of us once we started researching our respective stakeholder positions that people value the Great Barrier Reef for different … [Read more...]