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Campaign to save Barrier Reef from industry

Agence France-PresseApril 27, 2013 23:16
Conservationists Sunday accused Australia of failing to protect the Great Barrier Reef from massive industrial development as they launched a multi-million dollar campaign to drum up awareness. The move follows UNESCO demanding decisive action to protect the world's largest coral reef from a gas and mining boom and increasing coastal development, or risk the embarrassment of seeing it put on its danger list. The government says it is "absolutely committed" to the reef and in February outlined to UNESCO how it planned to improve management and protection.

Greenpeace activists board Australian coal ship in reef protest

April 24, 2013 01:00
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Six Greenpeace activists boarded a coal ship bound for South Korea near Australia's Great Barrier Reef on Wednesday, protesting against the expansion of the rich Australian coal industry and its impact on the World Heritage site. Environmentalists say the Great Barrier Reef, a popular tourist site worth about A$6 billion (4 billion pounds) a year to the Australia economy, is threatened by dredging, sedimentation and coal port and shipping development.

'Spawn bank' holds hopes for future of Great Barrier Reef

February 13, 2013 19:48
SYDNEY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - For the past two years Australian scientists have been collecting and storing billions of reproductive cells from the Great Barrier Reef, hoping that this "spawn bank" will one day help rebuild and preserve the World Heritage site. The reef, a popular tourist site worth billions of dollars annually to the Australian economy, is threatened by dredging, sedimentation and disease. Global issues such as ocean acidification and warming due to climate change also affect the reef's health.

Australian government pledges to protect Great Barrier Reef

February 1, 2013 00:30
By Jane Wardell SYDNEY, Feb 1 (Reuters) - The Australian government pledged to stop coal port or shipping developments that would cause damage to the Great Barrier Reef as it responded to a Friday deadline amid U.N. warnings that the reef's conservation status could be downgraded.

Deadline nears for action to protect Great Barrier Reef

January 23, 2013 23:45
SYDNEY, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Australia has to take swift action to protect the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site, amid significant threats from industrial projects as a February deadline looms, environmental groups say. Heralded as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the reef is home to 400 types of coral, 240 species of birds and 1,500 species of fish. It is worth A$6 billion annually to the local economy in tourism.
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