The state of the Great Barrier Reef

Recently, two new Reef Water Quality Report Cards  were released about the current state of the water quality and resulting health of the Great Barrier Reef. The Queensland water quality report showed the inner reef’s water quality as poor, due to the impact of land management practises. This means larger than ideal amounts of inorganic nitrogen from fertilisers, sediment from topsoil loss and waste discharge along with particulate nitrogen.

Check out the report card  of 2017 and 2018 here .

The Great Barrier Reef is currently battling Crown of Thorn Starfish infestations, less resilience to bleaching, and large tracks being covered by sediment. This degradation and poor quality water flowing to the area is attributed to sediment, chemical pollution, and nutrient run off from agricultural practises.

As a result, the Queensland government has proposed stricter regulations which would limit pollution in reef catchment zones.

While the reports have shown many farmers are moving in the positive direction  to lessen the impact of the run off, the practises are not changing sufficiently fast to help protect the reef.

How does the agricultural run off impact the Great Barrier Reef?

The combination of sediment and chemical run off from farms along the coast is threatening inshore coral reefs and seagrass meadows. Farming in the reef encashment’s  has chemicals leaching into the waterways which is altering the pH of the water and changing the nutrient balances putting the delicate reef ecosystem habitats are under threat. Particularly the reefs located close to the shore which are critical habitats for turtles, dugongs, and juvenile fish.

The nutrients from chemical fertilisers have also been linked to plagues of crown-of-thorns starfish  on the great barrier reef which eat everything in their path. Recent years have seen the numbers sky rocket, with thousands consuming any reef they happen to land on. In comparison to normal reefs with healthy nutrient balances, crown of thorns starfish prosper in the chemical fertiliser run off and are continually spreading.

Pesticides and herbicides used on many commercial agricultural farms have been detected in high concentrations within the World Heritage  Great Barrier Reef area. These pose a risk to flora and fauna in a different way. On land, herbicides act as an inhibitor to the growth of weeds, but once in the ocean, they damage the growth of other plants such as sea grass. Seagrass coverage  is quickly dwindling partially due to these farming side effects, which is one of the precious coastal habitats for many creatures.

How can you help The Great Barrier Reef?

1. Buy Organic

Since the agricultural runoff that is negatively impacting the Great Barrier Reef is water containing chemicals from pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers, the best thing you can do to help minimise this is to invest in organic produce.

This is because the Australian Certified Organic label on organic produce means the farm and all its practises have gone under detailed scrutiny of its environmental impacts. Organic produce in Australia is required to not use any chemicals in their farming methodologies and instead to depend on technologies that support a healthy biodynamic system in the farm. Just check out what organic farming really means.

Create the type of world you want to live in, by voting with your wallet.

2. Avoid Sugar filled products

The Australian Sugarcane industry has grown to be one of the largest raw sugar exporters in the world, with over 35 million tonnes produced per year . The sugarcane is predominantly grown along the northeast coast of Australia where it’s runoff is one of the key concerns  in the latest Great Barrier Reef Report.

3. Vote for Change

We have power as individuals, and during the next elections, consider supporting the candidate which aims to protect our reefs. If you wish, you can add your name to the mission of minimising pollution to the Great Barrier Reef .

Conclusion

To help improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef which brings in millions of dollars of value from tourism, jobs, and resources, you can opt to shop at organic farms which prioritise the health of the planet over mass production. With the help of the Australian Certified Organic standards, you know you are purchasing products which have been grown with an ethos of protecting the natural world rather than destroying it. It’s also important to remember the biological, environmental, and biodiversity value the largest living organism on the planet has. To protect the Great Barrier Reef choose organic.

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