Australian plan to protect Great Barrier reef inadequate, scientists say

Australia's plans to protect the Great Barrier Reef are inadequate, short-sighted and will not prevent its decline, the country's pre-eminent grouping of natural scientists said yesterday.

The draft plan, released for consultation last month, was supposed to allay concerns about the reef's health after Unesco threatened to put it on the World Heritage "in danger" list.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt has said the proposal reflects an effort to balance the priorities of protecting the reef, which teems with marine life, and long-term sustainable development. But the Australian Academy of Science said the plan ignored the impact of climate change and failed to address problems with water quality, coastal development and fishing.

"The science is clear, the reef is degraded and its condition is worsening. This is a plan that won't restore the reef, it won't even maintain it in its already diminished state," academy fellow Terry Hughes said.

The plan calls for a 10-year ban on dredging for ports inside and next to the reef apart from in priority development areas. But environmentalists say the plan does not set high enough targets for cutting agricultural pollution.