SA marine heatwave warnings to Federal Environment Minister ‘unheeded’ for two years, Great Southern Reef Research Partnership says
Scientists warned the Albanese government two years ago about a marine disaster that would cost Australia $30bn, letters reveal.
The Albanese government was warned about the devastating marine heatwaves in the ocean off South Australia two years ago by leading scientists, who said the environmental disaster would cripple fishing industries and ecosystems, costing the economy $30bn.
But they say their call for help “went unheeded”.
The Great Southern Reef Research Partnership says it sent a formal letter to the then-Environment and Water minister Tanya Plibersek where they cautioned that South Australia “is on the brink of a severe marine heatwave” with “far-reaching repercussions”.
The marine heatwaves were described to be akin to an “underwater bushfire that can’t be extinguished”.
The scientists, including the foundation’s co-founder Stefan Andrews, asked for $40m over 10 years to establish a National Monitoring Program, which would allow them to assess any developments and predict future events to minimise harm.
To convince the government to put some money on the table – the scientists outlined how the loss of southeastern marine environment would hurt hip pockets.
“The Great Southern Reef borders into 63 federal electorates, (it) is more economically valuable than the Great Barrier Reef, and yet receives less than one per cent of the funding,” they wrote.
“Estimates predict a 20 per cent decline in habitat on the Great Southern Reef will lead to a $30bn loss to the Australian economy over the next two decades.”
More than 10 scientists from across Australia co-signed the letter.
The Great Southern Reef Research Partnership wrote another letter in May this year appealing again for funds to create a National Monitoring Program.
“South Australia is experiencing one of the most devastating algal bloom on record,” they wrote.
“To date, impacts of the algal bloom have relied on observations of species washing up on shore … this likely represents the tip of the iceberg of the true crisis unfolding underwater.
“Australia does not have a national monitoring program for our southern temperate reef ecosystem … (and) the current monitoring is fragmentary, reliant on different agencies, individual researchers and citizen scientists to maintain ongoing surveys in areas or particular interest, and applying a mixed variety of methodologies.
“Without (a monitoring program), our ability to anticipate, respond, and understand the effects of these increasingly frequent extreme events is extremely limited.”
The scientist also asked to meet in person with federal environment minister Murray Watt to engage in further discussions.
Both the letters received a response from the government, where it outlined actions it was taking to ensure “a clean, healthy, and sustainable ocean”.
The federal and state governments have since committed a combined $28m to address the algal bloom crisis, but one co-signer of the letter said was not enough.
Marine scientist Stefan Andrews said authorities were already behind on the underwater crisis.
“At this stage, we’ve already missed a lot of opportunities to understand the changes that have occurred underwater due to the fact we don’t have the capability to monitor conditions and based on that mobilise a rapid response dive team.”
Mr Andrews said the Great Southern Reef Research Partnership will keep rallying until the government take the necessary action.
It comes as Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young announced submissions have opened for the parliamentary inquiry into the algal bloom.
Senator Hanson-Young, who is deputy chairwoman of the Environment and Communications Committee organising the inquiry, made the announcement on Friday.
She previously said the inquiry was an “important step” in ensuring South Australians aren’t left to manage the algal bloom with federal government assistance.
Submissions close on August 22, with a date for the inquiry’s commencement yet to be confirmed.
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Originally published as SA marine heatwave warnings to Federal Environment Minister ‘unheeded’ for two years, Great Southern Reef Research Partnership says
