A delegation from the World Heritage Centre (WHC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has arrived to assess the conservation of the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

 

The visit, which will finish on the 14th of March, will see the delegation hold extensive meetings with reef managers and the broader community.

 

“The visit from these delegates will allow us to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable development that ensures the outstanding Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is protected,” Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said.

 

The Federal Government invited the delegation in response to concerns raised by the WHC last year about the development on Curtis Island.

 

Mr Burke said there were complex management challenges facing the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area along with significant threats such as ocean acidification as a result of climate change.

 

“Long-term sustainability can only be achieved by a collective effort, including through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s ongoing management activities, the Queensland Government’s improved regulatory measures and the establishment of marine parks,” he said.

 

“Also essential is the hard work of farmers and graziers working to avoid the impacts of run-off through the Reef Rescue program, and councils, schools and fishers contributing as part of the Reef Guardians program.”

 

The visit coincides with recent finds which shows an expected exponential increase in container traffic in the Great Barrier Reef area thanks to a number of large coal projects coming online.