Unanswered plea by scientists as off-the-scale marine heat looms

The Great Southern Reef, spanning more than 8,000 km of Australia's southern coastline, is on the brink of a severe marine heat wave. This natural wonder, home to thousands of unique species and a hotspot of marine biodiversity, is under threat.

Recognizing the urgency, a coalition of Australia's leading marine scientists wrote to The Hon. Tanya Plibersek, MP, Minister for the Environment and Water, and The Hon. Chris Bowen, MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Dated 20 October 2023, this letter called for immediate action and funding to support a national monitoring program for the Reef.

Despite the gravity of the situation and the looming marine heat wave, there has been no response from either minister. This silence is alarming, especially given the immediate nature of the marine heat wave and its potential catastrophic impact on both the environment and the economy. With the summer's marine heat wave already upon us, the government's inaction is a matter of national concern. This story needs urgent attention. It's a narrative of a looming ecological disaster met with governmental silence.

The GSRF can also supply a collection of high quality imagery and footage relevant to this story as well as link journalists with leading voices in marine science in key regions, likely to be impacted by the marine heat wave.

Key Points

• The Bureau of Meteorology's forecast of a marine heat wave, with temperatures in parts of the Tasman Sea expected to be at least 2.5°C above average, represents an extreme environmental event with potentially devastating consequences.
• The Great Southern Reef is more economically valuable than the Great Barrier Reef, yet it receives less than 1% of the funding.
• Requested funding is critical for understanding the specific impacts of climate change on the Reef and for identifying potential areas where intervention can be most effective.
• The potential loss to the Australian economy, should the Reef's habitat decline by 20%, is estimated at $30 billion over the next two decades.
• Australia's absence of a dedicated national monitoring program for southern temperate reef ecosystems like the GSR is a major concern. The current fragmented approach lacks coordination and fails to effectively safeguard these critical habitats.
• The GSR spans 63 federal electorates, impacting a broad demographic. The neglect of such a significant area, both in terms of environmental and economic value, is a matter of national importance.
• The lack of response from the government, especially after a set deadline, raises questions about the prioritization of environmental issues and the effectiveness of current policies in addressing urgent climate challenges.

Provided by Great Southern Reef Foundation