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Scientific Consensus Statement on Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef

The establishment of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (Reef Plan) in 2003 by the Australian and Queensland Governments was supported by a body of evidence showing a decline in water quality on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). A comprehensive review of the evidence available at the time, “Summary Statement of the Reef Science Panel regarding water quality in and adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef” was prepared by a taskforce of experts led by Dr Joe Baker.

Since that time, there have been significant advances in knowledge to support implementation of the Reef Plan. As the Reef Plan approached the halfway mark of the 10-year plan, it was considered timely to review and synthesise this knowledge and reach consensus on the current understanding of the system.

A taskforce of scientists has prepared a discussion paper that reviews the 2003 summary statement of evidence, and where appropriate, updates the statement based on the results of more recently published and peer-reviewed articles. The scientific consensus statement below is based upon the outcomes of that discussion paper.

Endorsement of the Scientific Consensus Statement has been obtained from the following institutional leaders:

Professor Paul Greenfield, Vice-Chancellor and President, The University of Queensland
Professor Chris Cocklin, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation Division, James Cook University
Professor John Rickard, Vice-Chancellor & President , Central Queensland University
Dr Andrew Johnson, Group Executive, Environment, CSIRO
Dr Ian Poiner, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Dr David Wachenfeld, Chief Scientist, GBRMPA
Professor Terry Hughes, Federation Fellow, ARC Centre for Excellence in Coral Reef Studies
Professor Barry Hart, Water Studies Centre
Ms Sheriden Morris, Managing Director, Reef & Rainforest Research Centre Ltd
Mr Brian Vandersee, Executive Director, Natural Resource Science, Department of Natural Resources and Water

Download the Scientific Consensus Statement

Scientific Consensus Statement on Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Synthesis of evidence to support the Scientific Consensus Statement on Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef (PDF, 908 KB)

Synthesis of evidence to support the Scientific Consensus Statement on Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef (PDF, 2 MB) - Note this PDF is full colour

Hard copies can be requested from:

The Reef Plan Secretariat
Phone: 07 3225 8050
Email: reefplan@premiers.qld.gov.au

Last reviewed 17 October 2008

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