2005 Reef Beat posters 1-8 in Cairns Post.pdf - Great Barrier Reef ...

8reef beatriver to reefsomewhere!goes all ItMany daily activities have the potential to upset thedelicate ecological balance of our waterways.When in thewater, try not toWhether you live in a major city, smalltown or in the country, what you doat home, work and school in thegrazing and cropping.To make space for these agriculturalactivities, large areas of native vegetation havestir up sedimentor disturb coral.Great Barrier Reef catchment can affect thebeen cleared. This, along with over-stocking onquality of water in the Reef.farms, has caused widespread soil erosion inMany of your daily activities may increase thelevels of nutrients, sediments and chemicalsbeing discharged to the Great Barrier Reef.FROM THE CITY TO THE SEANutrients, sediments and other pollutants canreach our Great Barrier Reef through a numbersome parts of the Great Barrier Reef Catchment.This has led to the increased dischargeof eroded material such as nutrients andsediments to the Great Barrier Reef.The discharge of these pollutants occursmainly during times of heavy rainfall.Sweep your driveway andpatio areas instead ofhosing to prevent waterfrom carrying pollutants tostormwater drains.of sources. One of the main sources is throughIn areas where cropping occurs, thestormwater and wastewater that is dischargedapplication of fertilisers and pesticides mayfrom our towns and cities.be necessary. Fertilisers are taken up by theEverything we pour down the sink, dropcrop to help them grow, while pesticideson our streets and put in our drains has thehelp maintain crop health by minimising thepotential to reach our waterways and the Greatimpact of pests. However, a significant portionWhen snorkelling or diving,Barrier Reef.may also end up in nearby waterways anddo not rest or stand onWastewater is the water that goes downthe sinks and drains inside your home. Waterfrom the toilet, the bath, the shower, the sink,the dishwasher and the laundry is knownas wastewater. Wastewater from your homecoastal waters, particularly if there is a creekor river close by.ON THE WATERMany activities take place in the Great BarrierReef Marine Park including boating, fi shing,When visiting islands,do not use detergentsclose to any waterwaysincluding the ocean.coral and avoid touchinganything with your fins.is treated at a treatment station before it isdiving, snorkelling and shipping. Every time wedischarged to creeks or rivers or reused overenter the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, weland. At the treatment station, some (but nothave the potential to impact on it.all) of the impurities are removed from theSome of the activities that take place on thewater so the health of the water is improved.Stormwater is rainwater that ends up in astormwater drain system after it has fallen onyour roof, driveway, lawn or on the road.The water in the stormwater drain system isnot treated, therefore any chemicals or rubbishleft in a stormwater drain can fl ow into a creekor river, especially during heavy rainfall.Wastewater and stormwater is oftendischarged through drains into creeks andrivers, which often fl ow directly into thewater may contribute to the declining waterquality of the Great Barrier Reef.For example, sewage discharged from vesselsinto the Reef’s waters can contain largeamounts of nutrients and sediments and litterthrown overboard can harm or even kill marineanimals. Shipping can also impact on waterquality especially during an oil or chemicalspill from a ship.Shipping spills and groundings have thepotential to cause serious environmentalTravel slowly in yourboat near islands andthe mainland to minimisebank erosion and sedimentdisturbance fromboat wash.Compost and use garden bedsor vegetation strips aroundyour home to capture rainwaterand minimise runoff.Great Barrier Reef.damage to the marine environment. However,The water quality in an estuary, river, streamwaste products and garbage from theor creek may impact on the quality of water inday-to-day operation of a ship can also pollutethe Great Barrier Reef.FROM THE LAND TO THE REEFToday, 80 per cent of the land adjacent tothe Great Barrier Reef Marine Park supportsthe waters of the Great Barrier Reef.These wastes may include oils, chemicals,sewage, garbage, and toxic compoundsreleased from anti-fouling paints andUse less water by fi xing leaking taps,keeping showers to a minimum andwashing your car with a bucket.agriculture production such as beef cattleballast water.46 The Cairns Post, Tuesday, May 3, 2005