Work undertaken to implement this action will include the development of extent and Improve connectivity and resilience condition indicators for coastal riparian vegetation and natural wetlands, and a through protection, restoration and strategy developed to prevent further loss and to improve condition. management of Reef priority coastal QG EHA10 ecosystems including islands through Identifying priority locations for improving connectivity and resilience through innovative and cost-effective measures. protection, restoration and management The Australian Government has invested more than $9 million since June 2012, to protect coral cover from active crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks in the Cairns/Cooktown region and support the viability of a $5.1billion per annum tourism industry. Reduce crown of thorns starfish outbreaks GBRMPA works in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the by continuing to improve water quality and Reef and Rainforest Research Council and the Association of Marine Park Tourism undertaking a targeted control program as Operators to conduct a targeted crown-of-thorns starfish surveillance and control GBRMPA needed Improve integration and activities on reefs. effectiveness of crown of thorns starfish The control program has culled more than 350,000 crown-of-thorns starfish including research and management the single largest aggregation comprising 27,000 individuals at Arlington Reef (near Cairns).The data to date has shown that average coral cover has been maintained at 39 per cent (well above the critical level of 14 per cent) at the majority (88 per cent) of the 139 control sites, demonstrating resilience outcomes for coral reefs are achievable through direct crown-of-thorns starfish control. There are a number of existing ecosystem health initiatives currently being Implement ecosystem health initiatives undertaken through the Reef Trust initiative, including crown-of-thorns starfish through the Reef Trust investment DoE EHA14 control and marine debris programs. The status of these initiatives, along with any strategy. new initiatives announced, will be included in the annual report. GBRMPA is developing guidelines for the application of Barrier Reef offsets to maintain or improve the condition of the Marine Park, with a draft to be completed in Avoid, mitigate or offset impacts on marine 2015. This action is closely linked to EHA8 and the delivery of a Net Benefit Policy by and coastal ecosystems to restore Reef All EHA18 GBRMPA. resilience and ecosystem health. Offsets and net benefits will be applied in the avoid-mitigate-offset-net management hierarchy.
EHA10 Improve connectivity and resilience through protection, restoration and management of Reef priority coastal ecosystems including islands through innovative and cost-effective measures. QG Work undertaken to implement this action will include the development of extent and condition indicators for coastal riparian vegetation and natural wetlands, and a strategy developed to prevent further loss and to improve condition. Identifying priority locations for improving connectivity and resilience through protection, restoration and management Reduce crown of thorns starfish outbreaks by continuing to improve water quality and undertaking a targeted control program as needed Improve integration and effectiveness of crown of thorns starfish research and management GBRMPA The Australian Government has invested more than $9 million since June 2012, to protect coral cover from active crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks in the Cairns/Cooktown region and support the viability of a $5.1billion per annum tourism industry. GBRMPA works in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the Reef and Rainforest Research Council and the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators to conduct a targeted crown-of-thorns starfish surveillance and control activities on reefs. The control program has culled more than 350,000 crown-of-thorns starfish including the single largest aggregation comprising 27,000 individuals at Arlington Reef (near Cairns).The data to date has shown that average coral cover has been maintained at 39 per cent (well above the critical level of 14 per cent) at the majority (88 per cent) of the 139 control sites, demonstrating resilience outcomes for coral reefs are achievable through direct crown-of-thorns starfish control. EHA14 Implement ecosystem health initiatives through the Reef Trust investment strategy. DoE There are a number of existing ecosystem health initiatives currently being undertaken through the Reef Trust initiative, including crown-of-thorns starfish control and marine debris programs. The status of these initiatives, along with any new initiatives announced, will be included in the annual report. EHA18 Avoid, mitigate or offset impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems to restore Reef resilience and ecosystem health. All GBRMPA is developing guidelines for the application of Barrier Reef offsets to maintain or improve the condition of the Marine Park, with a draft to be completed in 2015. This action is closely linked to EHA8 and the delivery of a Net Benefit Policy by GBRMPA. Offsets and net benefits will be applied in the avoid-mitigate-offset-net management hierarchy.
reef-2050-plan-implementation-strategy_0.docx