UNESCO and IUCN’s expert Reef report provides the Australian and Queensland Governments with a roadmap to protect our Reef and its World Heritage Status.
In total there are 22 recommendations that must be implemented to protect the Reef and its World Heritage Status.
We’ve chosen to focus on 10 recommendations that address the biggest threats to the Reef including, climate change, water pollution, tree clearing in Reef catchments and unsustainable fishing – which we’ve summarised into the below key points.
Urge the government to implement these Reef-saving actions now:
- Enact climate policies to limit global warming to 1.5oC – a critical threshold for the survival of coral reefs
- Improve water quality to meet the 2025 water quality targets by enforcing regulations, repair degraded gullies and restore coastal wetlands
- End tree clearing and protect native vegetation in Reef catchments
- Stop gillnet fishing and monitor trawling catches to protect threatened species such as dugongs and turtles
Our Reef is under immense pressure. This is the decade to focus on solutions to local threats and meaningful climate action. The Australian and Queensland governments must implement these actions quickly.
Together, we can demand action now for the future of our Reef.