Australia To Spend $500 Million To Restore And Protect The Great Barrier Reef

The Government of Australia has announced a $500 million package to help deal with the problems facing the Great Barrier Reef.



Credit: IBORISOFF / iStock

In recent years, the reef has lost 30% of its coral due to bleaching linked to rising sea temperatures and damage from crown-of-thorns starfish.

The funding will go towards improving water quality, tackling the crown-of-thorns starfish, and expanding reef restoration.

Crown-of-thorns starfish are one of the most damaging creatures affecting tropical coral reefs as they are voracious predators that release the contents of their stomach on to the coral.

Digestive juices then liquify the coral ready for consumption. A single individual starfish can wipe out large areas of a reef.

Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg said the funding represented the single largest investment for reef conservation and management in Australia's history.

"Millions of dollars will go into science and to better data management and to be able to test the impacts on the reef," Frydenberg said.

"We are looking at a whole range of new initiatives, taking best advice of the experts, working closely with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to ensure that the reef has its best chance into the future."