Anchors Aweigh! Reef Trails Project Delivers 91 Public Moorings To Protect Coral Ecosystems

Buoy What A Good Idea!

By Ruth Puddefoot

‍
The Great Barrier Reef offers breathtaking views both above and beneath the water's surface, but it also harbours delicate ecosystems increasingly threatened by various growing pressures.

‍
These combined stresses undermine the reef's resilience, impairing its ability to recover from significant disturbances, such as frequent coral bleaching events predicted to occur more often in the future.

‍
The Great Barrier Reef, along with its surrounding island national parks, is home to numerous well-established fringing reefs, which are especially vulnerable to anchor damage. A single drop of an anchor can cause immediate harm, and while recovery may take years, the coral may never fully return to its previous state.

‍
The government’s Reef Trails project is a vital initiative for safeguarding the reef, serving two essential purposes. First, it designates areas where boats should refrain from anchoring, helping to prevent damage to fragile ecosystems. This is achieved through the use of white pyramid-shaped buoys with blue labels, which clearly mark no-anchoring zones.

‍
Second, the project offers an effective alternative by installing moorings, enabling visitors to experience the reef responsibly and sustainably.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell explained how the project has been a huge success so far:

‍
“We're getting to a point of capacity in terms of what we can put out in the Whitsundays,”

‍
“But there's certainly more work we can look at across the Great Barrier Reef to the north and south.”

‍
Marine Park Ranger Max Van Der Leden stated the moorings will be upkept by contractors, with the help of ranger dive inspections, to clean and replace as quickly as possible when needed.

‍
Owner of bareboat charter company Whitsunday Escape and President of the Whitsunday Bareboat Operators Association, Trevor Rees, stated that using these moorings allows boaties to safeguard fragile coral formations and seagrass beds that could otherwise be impacted by anchoring.

‍
“We thank the Queensland Government for expanding public moorings, as they minimise accidental harm and encourage responsible boating habits, particularly in disbursing vessels and discouraging crowding at other anchoring points.

‍
“The moorings will play a vital role in maintaining the Reef’s natural beauty and ecological health, ensuring it remains a treasure for future generations.”

‍
Online maps showing the locations of public moorings on the Great Barrier Reef are available: Public moorings and no anchoring areas | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

‍