ENVS Policy Brief PDF

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Policy brief on marine pollution in the Great Barrier Reef, recieved a HD....

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ENVS3028: Environmental Policy

Assessment 1: Policy Brief U6421515

MINISTERIAL BRIEF Date: Thursday, 8 March 2020. TO: THE HON. LEEANNE ENOCH, QUEENSLAND MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT.

FROM: THE HON. KAREN NELAPATI, CAIRNS REGIONAL COUNCIL, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER. REGARDING: IMPACTS OF DEBRIS UPON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK, MITIGATION AN D MANAGEMENT.

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: 1.1 Policy reform regarding marine debris on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) must occur to prevent further destruction of this valuable ecosystem.

1.2 Possible reform options include;

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1.2.1

Greater community information and action.

1.2.2

Better funding for plastic alternatives.

ENVS3028: Environmental Policy

Assessment 1: Policy Brief U6421515

2. BACKGROUND: 2.1 As an island nation, Australia’s marine ecosystems are integral to our prosperity. With increased levels of tourism and aquaculture, the anthropogenic impacts upon our marine wildlife and landscapes are becoming detrimental. 2.2 The Great Barrier Reef (The GBR) contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs and is home to 1500 species of fish [ CITATION UNE20 \l 3081 ] as well as various threatened species. The corals provide habitats for other organisms and help the ecosystem to thrive. This incredible amount of biodiversity is at risk from the impacts of pollution. 2.3 Plastic debris causes disease within coral reefs and threatens ocean ecosystems. 2.4 Globally, trends in coral disease have been identified by scientists as linked to microbial growth. It is estimated that plastic pollution increases the chance of coral disease from 4% to 89%. 2.5 Polypropylene is indicated to be one of the more harmful plastics due to its porous nature. Pathogenic bacteria cling to such plastics and then feed on corals causing band diseases including ‘white syndrome’ diseases. [CITATION Lam18 \l 3081 ] 2.6 Plastics are also commonly mistaken as food sources for marine fauna, causing fatalities in various endangered species. 70% of loggerhead turtles found dead in Queensland indicate plastic ingestion when autopsied. This species is currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act [ CITATION NOA18 \l 3081 ] and has primary breeding grounds in the GBR. 2.7 Researches have estimated that, with current trends, plastic pollution will increase by 40% within the Asia-Pacific regions, as 16 billion pieces of plastic tarnish our coral reefs, damaging these valuable ecosystems. [ CITATION Lam18 \l 3081 ] 2.8 Furthermore, the flow on impacts upon the tourism and economic industries in the northern regions of Queensland will be detrimental. It is estimated that GBR tourism contributes $5.7 billion to the Australian economy. [ CITATION Del17 \l 3081 ]

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ENVS3028: Environmental Policy

Assessment 1: Policy Brief U6421515

2.9 Whilst Australia’s plastic debris problem has not yet reached the levels of our neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region, without increased government intervention, Australia’s most valuable asset will be irreparably damaged. 3. CURRENT AND ONGOING ACTION 3.1 Shire councils and community groups have created programs encouraging individuals to join clean-up days, dives and beach cleans. [ CITATION Hin19 \l 3081 ] These initiatives have offered incentives for participating in such programs. 3.2 Australian Government has provided financial stimulus through initiatives such as 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan and the Reef Trust provide funding and protection for the GBR. [ CITATION Aus18 \l 3081 ] $5, 000, 000 over 5 years has been pledged to cleanup and prevention mechanisms. [ CITATION Aus19 \l 3081 ] Most of this funding was provided to the Tangaroa Blue Foundation to support their program ReefClean; for informative resource creation and other activities aimed at reducing marine debris. [ CITATION Tan19 \l 3081 ] 3.3 The Queensland Government’s current Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan includes a complete ban on plastic cutlery, plates, straws and stirrers by 2021 with further bans to follow. [ CITATION Que19 \l 3081 ]

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ENVS3028: Environmental Policy

Assessment 1: Policy Brief U6421515

4. RECOMMENDATIONS: 4.1 Increased access to information regarding the impacts of plastic pollution on the GBR. 4.1.1

This information must be phased into school syllabuses from primary levels. Introducing students to proper recycling and plastic management practices from younger ages will help to ingrain its importance within our youth. 4.1.1.1 This could be supplemented with state-mandated participation in clean-up days for schools and their pupils.

4.1.2

Encouraging students to volunteer their own time could be supplemented with community recognition or award systems.

4.1.3

Further campaigns through various streams of media including social media, television and local radio must be considered to increase engagement across the widest range of demographics.

4.1.4

Incentives to businesses to promote responsible waste management practices must be provided. Certification under a program which indicates to consumers that a business is plastic-free could help consumers make more environmentally sustainable choices.

4.2 Improving funding for alternative material research. 4.2.1

Production of plastic alternatives was highlighted as a ‘strategic priority’ within the Queensland Government’s ‘Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan’. This requires a greater proportion of the budget to be dedicated to producing plastic alternatives to ensure continued economic sustainability for food vendors and takeaway businesses. 4.2.1.1 This would provide economic opportunities within the state, employing local businesses to conduct research and manufacturing where possible.

5. CONCLUDING REMARKS: Whilst strides have been made to combat the effects of marine debris on the Great Barrier Reef, further action must be taken to mitigate existing plastic pollution. This can be achieved through greater resource allocation and community-based action. 4

ENVS3028: Environmental Policy

Assessment 1: Policy Brief U6421515

WORKS CITED: Australian Government. (2018). Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Australian Government. (2019). The Reef Trust. Retrieved from Deparment of Agriculture, Water and the Environment : https://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reef-trust Deloitte Access Economics. (2017). At What Price? The Economic, social and icon value of the Great Barrier Reef. Brisbane: Deloitte. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/au/Documents/Economics/deloitteau-economics-great-barrier-reef-230617.pdf Hinchinbrook Shire Council. (2019, September 9). Great Barrier Reef Clean Up. Retrieved from https://www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au/great-barrier-reef-clean-up/ Lamb, J., Willis, B. L., Fiorenza, E. A., Couch, C. S., Howard, R., & Rader, D. (2018). Plastic waste associated with disease on coral reefs. Science, 460-462. Retrieved from https://science.sciencemag.org/content/359/6374/460 NOAA Fisheries. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/loggerheadturtle Queensland Government. (2019). Tackling Plastic Waste: Queensland's Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan. Brisbane: Queensland Government. Tangaroa Blue Organisation. (2019). ReefClean. Retrieved from Australian Marine Debris Initiative: https://www.tangaroablue.org/amdi-network/reefclean/ UNESCO. (2020, January). Retrieved from UNESCO World Heritage Centre: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/154/

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