Bulk carriers entering Australian waters is posing a significant risk to the Great Barrier Reef
There are claims an influx of bulk carriers entering Australian waters is posing a significant risk to the Great Barrier Reef.
Reef Pilots Australia says vast tracts of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are unprotected because low-cost foreign crews lack experience and local knowledge.
About 1200 bulk carriers travelled through reef waters last year, with traffic increasing five per cent in five years.
Mick Kinley from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority says the option of increased pilotage in the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea and Torres Strait is being assessed.
“We are very aware that the consequences of are extremely high of not doing things, of risks that do come to fruition as an incident and in any cost-benefit analysis you’ve actually got to look at what are the potential effects of not taking that action,” Mr Kinley says.
But he says increased traffic in itself does not represent an increased risk.
“We can certainly say that the waters of the Great Barrier Reef are among some of the most highly protected waters in the world,” he says.
Source: ABC News