Drawing lines in the sand for Great Barrier Reef recovery
Elise Springett from the Australian Marine Conservation Society with her daughter Summer, 1, and volunteers have sent a poignant message to politicians for stimulus plans for the Great Barrier Reef after COVID-19. They used diving fins to spell out ‘Rebuild For Our Reef’ at Yorkeys Knob Beach yesterday.
GREAT Barrier Reef campaigners and volunteers have sent a clear message to politicians calling for reef-friendly economic stimulus plans to be put in place post-COVID-19.
Lead by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), the group used diving fins from local tourism operators and workers to spell out ‘Rebuild For Our Reef’ along
Yorkeys Knob Beach yesterday.
AMCS Cairns campaigner Elise Springett said the aim was to encourage politicians to design stimulus measures that rebuild the local economy in ways that were beneficial for the Great Barrier Reef.
“We are looking for our political leaders to support plans that deliver renewable energy projects, restore reef catchments and support our tourism industry so Cairns can emerge from this difficult time stronger than ever,” she said.
“Our display will send a powerful message to politicians that our community needs support in the short, medium and long term to ensure that we recover from the COVID-19 restrictions in a way that also protects our reef.”
Tanya Murphy, from Divers For Reef Conservation, also called for support of shortterm reef monitoring projects that would provide stopgap job opportunities while the tourism sector recovers.
“The reef tourism industry is our city’s economic backbone but it’s been shattered by restrictions in 2020,” she said.
“These kinds of projects help scientists learn more about the big issues facing our Reef so they can influence the policies that will shape its future.
“The tourism community wants to be a part of that.”