A shady plan for the Reef

AN innovative product could be key to saving the Great Barrier Reef.

The use of surface film is among a number of radical solutions proposed in a 113-page report from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, which outlines how it plans to spend a $444 million war chest of Federal Government money.

Man-made clouds and cool water sprays are also being considered.

The shade cloth would float on the surface and protect the Reef from sunlight, reducing the excessive heat contributing to coral bleaching. Backers have compared the plan to putting shade cloth over vegie patches.

“Preliminary modelling indicates that the best option for reef-wide protection lies in large-scale solar radiation management,” the report states.

“The concept of creating shade through clouds, mist, fog, or surface films assumes that decreased solar radiation protects corals from bleaching.”

News of the radical solution comes just days after Sir David Attenborough slammed “powerful” figures in Australia for failing to act on climate change.

Sir David, who first dived at the Great Barrier Reef in the 1950s, said he was stunned to see its deterioration when he returned about 10 years ago.

“I will never forget diving on the Reef … and suddenly seeing, instead of this multitude of wonderful forms and life, that it was stark white,” he said.

“It had bleached white because of the rising temperatures and the increasing acidity of the sea.”

Researchers say urgent action is needed to save the Reef, damaged by ocean heatwaves and crown-of-thorns starfish.