The times they are a-changin', as Bob Dylan would gutturally croon. Many changes have taken place since the last issue of Reef Management News - not only in the Authority but also on the Reef.
A new phase has begun for the Authority. As of 1 July the restructure was complete and new positions filled. We have farewelled those staff who volunteered for redundancy (they will be sorely missed) and we welcome the new comers. The restructure has provided a focus on four key issues: conservation, world heritage and biodiversity; tourism and recreation; water quality and coastal development; and fisheries.
Mass coral bleaching saw changes on the Great Barrier Reef when corals turned a snow white, while others turned psychedelic. The debate still rages over the phenomenon that affected many of the world's reefs and it is the feature story for this issue.
There is also much to peruse with the releases of 'The environmental effects of prawn trawling in the Far Northern Section of the Great Barrier Reef', 'Whitsundays Plan of Management' and the 'Cairns Area Plan of Management', and the second report of the Long-term Monitoring Program.
Keeping with the song theme - 'It's not easy being green', as Kermit the frog would testify to, but the sugar cane industry is giving it a go. They held their first Environment Forum in March and also released a 'Code of Practice for Sustainable Cane Growing' in June. The Authority is in full support of these initiatives.
This is the third Reef Management News issue and although I have received some feedback I would love to hear from more people. Please let me know what you like about it, what you don't, and what you would like to see included.
Jacqui Hyne
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