We are making history in the Fight For Our Reef
In May 2018, the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) signed a formal Declaration demanding strong climate policies to protect the future of our Reef.
The Declaration was signed by AMPTO members at a summit in Cairns hosted jointly with the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
We continue to Fight for our Reef at the global level, representing the Great Barrier Reef at the World Heritage Committee and speaking up about the threats to its future, especially from climate change. In 2017 we delivered 50,000 signatures to the World Heritage Committee, which then called on all countries to make ambitious reductions in carbon pollution to save the world’s coral reefs.
Over the last four years, divestment pressure has meant bank after bank has pulled out of deals to fund the Adani mine. Now 28 financial institutions have ruled out investing in Adani, including Westpac, Commbank and four of the world’s biggest banks.
We stopped proposed coal port developments near the mouth of the pristine Fitzroy River south of Rockhampton and in the untouched region of Cape York in Far North Queensland. These fragile places are home to rare and unique sea life like snubfin dolphins and dugongs. Their homes were saved thanks to ocean lovers speaking out in their defence.
In September 2019, after a long community campaign, the Queensland Government passed new water quality laws to clean up sediment and chemical pollution flowing into our Great Barrier Reef. This gives our Reef a fighting chance for the future.
After years of campaigning, the Queensland Government developed the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy in 2017. As part of this strategy, fisheries management is set to be modernised and fish stocks returned to healthy levels. In 2020 we also celebrated an end to a loophole that allowed sharks to be finned on the Reef.
We have achieved so much for our Great Barrier Reef – but the fight’s not over. We must continue to work together to fight for our Reef!