Aust. Great Barrier Reef Environmental Threats Growing??

[TLCOhio]

From the Sydney Morning Herald tomorrow morning (yes, they are a day ahead now), they have this headline: "Reef could be stripped of heritage status" with these highlights: "The Great Barrier Reef could be stripped of its world heritage status within months if action isn't taken to better protect the natural icon from coal and gas developments. A coalition of green groups on Wednesday launched the Fight for the Reef campaign in Canberra, warning state and federal politicians were putting the reef's international reputation at risk. Last year UNESCO was 'sufficiently concerned' enough by proposed developments along the Queensland coast it sent a mission to Australia to investigate. At the centre of their concerns are 45 major industrial developments proposed for the coast, including large-scale coal and gas projects that would boost shipping over the reef. Currently, around 4000 ships make 'port calls' through the reef every year, but that number could skyrocket to 7000 if the proposals go ahead unchallenged. The Great Barrier Reef was granted world heritage status in 1981, but has since faced numerous threats from coral bleaching to cyclones, runoff, Crown-of-thorns starfish and commercial activity."

 

Not trying to get on one side or the other of these "environment versus economy" debates, just sharing the issue and questions that are in the news in Australia. The global heritage body could place the reef, the world's longest coral reef system, on the "world heritage in danger" list if it does not receive what they view as an adequate response by February. The environment groups said such action would be an international embarrassment that threatened both the reef ecosystem and the $6 billion tourism industry it supports.

 

Getting ready for our first “down under” visit, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Celebrity Solstice sailing, departing Sydney, doing 14 days on this ship we loved in the Med in June 2011. We will be finishing in Auckland. Plus, doing some pre-cruise options for Cairns/Port Douglas, the Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, then Kangaroo Island near Adelaide before departing from Sidney’s scenic harbor. Been interested in reading up and researching this unique area in Australia. Will be following this issue in the coming months.

 

Any other local knowledge, reactions and info from those who live in the area?

 

Full story at:

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/reef-could-be-stripped-of-heritage-status-20130123-2d5p8.html

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 115,253 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[room010]

More Greenie scaremongering :rolleyes:

[Sutho]

The reefs not all that good anyway. Its nothing compared to the coral reefs you find in the Caribbean. To be honeset all the tourists that come here on cruise ships that I have met on World Cruises have left being not impressed at all with the reef and described it as a massive waste of time and money. All people I have spoken to say the Caribbean is much better and so is Egypt near Sharm El Sheik.