10 June 2016
Queensland’s Farmers’ Federation (QFF) council met recently and discussed progress of industry’s efforts to improve agriculture’s impact on the Great Barrier Reef.
A recent report from scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) found that coral cover on seven of the twelve reefs examined off the Townsville coast, between Northern Hinchinbrook and Cape Bowling Green, was at its highest levels since they were first surveyed 30 years ago.
The study concluded that eleven of the reefs had continued to recover since being damaged by Cyclone Yasi in 2011 and most of the bleaching was north of Port Douglas.
QFF President Stuart Armitage welcomed the encouraging news that there is evidence that the Great Barrier Reef is recovering despite the recent bleaching events.
“QFF has been working closely with its industry members and the QFF led Reef Alliance to lead a coordinated and integrated effort to reduce impacts on the reef.”
“The Reef Alliance, consisting of industry, Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups and WWF is a constructive and productive partnership focused on delivering outcomes for the reef.”
“The agriculture sector continues to improve and adopt Best Management Practices (BMP) that minimise losses of soil, fertiliser and pesticides from farms and improve water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef.”
“The area surveyed for this report is where our industries operate so this is an extremely positive report which validates the great work being undertaken by the agriculture sector to improve management practices that reduce run off in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.”
“QFF acknowledge there is still a long way to go and extra resources are required to strengthen the resilience of the reef and assist ongoing reef recovery.”
“We recognize that the Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s biggest tourist attractions and is a major economic contributor to many of our coastal communities.
“It is disappointing that there have been exaggerated reports about agriculture’s impact on the reef. Such claims have the potential to undermine the constructive results industry is achieving to minimise the sector’s impact on the reef.”
“Everyone including farmers, graziers, developers, the resources sector, community members, traditional owners and tourism operators must be part of the solution in protecting and preserving the reef for generations to come.”
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