Guiding principles for the improved governance of port and shipping impacts in the Great Barrier Reef

A. Grech*, M. Bos, J. Brodie, R. Coles, A. Dale, R. Gilbert, M. Hamann, H. Marsh, K. Neil, R. L. Pressey, M. A. Rasheed, M. Sheaves, A. Smith

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) region of Queensland, Australia, encompasses a complex and diverse array of tropical marine ecosystems of global significance. The region is also a World Heritage Area and largely within one of the world's best managed marine protected areas. However, a recent World Heritage Committee report drew attention to serious governance problems associated with the management of ports and shipping. We review the impacts of ports and shipping on biodiversity in the GBR, and propose a series of guiding principles to improve the current governance arrangements. Implementing these principles will increase the capacity of decision makers to minimize the impacts of ports and shipping on biodiversity, and will provide certainty and clarity to port operators and developers. A 'business as usual' approach could lead to the GBR's inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2014.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8-20
Number of pages13
JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume75
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Oct 2013

Keywords

  • Biodiversity
  • Governance
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Ports
  • Shipping
  • World Heritage

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