Reef must get more than PR

THEY say any publicity is good publicity but the negative messages about the Great Barrier Reef have created a challenge for those marketing and managing the sensitive ecosystem.

Yes, the incredible underwater world is under threat from changes in the weather, from coral bleaching and the crown-of-thorns starfish, as well as run-off from land.

Federal and state governments are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on various measures to give the Reef the utmost protection.

Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch lives at the gateway to the natural wonder and four months ago he was appointed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison as special envoy to the Reef.

He has been given extra staff and resources to provide a true perception of the Reef as well as continue the efforts to highlight its environmental credentials.

Mr Entsch admits the role is somewhat of a public relations exercise but has vowed to bring the true story of the Reef’s health to the world.

He wants to bring influential people to the Reef to see for themselves and to spruik the message that it is very much alive and well.

Mr Entsch has promised to achieve a national policy of removing plastics from the ocean.

He has launched the second ReefClean effort, with volunteers hoping to remove 20 tonnes of rubbish from the sensitive ecosystem and set up a bipartisan parliamentary friendship group for the Reef.

The role must be more than just talk and PR. There must be tangible results and a report card after the first 12 months.