Research, released last week by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, has found 90% of the coral at the Rowley Shoals has died in the wake of this year’s record-breaking and unprecedented marine heatwave.
The research has left Broome tour operators nervous about their future, with one tour operator reportedly anticipating losses in the vicinity of $450,000.
Questions asked in Parliament, by Greens MLC Sophie McNeill, has found the State Government hadn’t briefed local businesses or the Kimberley Marine Tourism Association, but had provided information to Chevron.
“The bleaching and death of much of WA’s coral coast is a record-breaking disaster for WA’s tourism industry that needs an urgent and significant response. Members of the community and business owners who rely on the health of our oceans have told me that they feel left in the dark by the lack of engagement and updates from the government,” Sophie McNeill MLC said in a statement.
The Kimberley Marine Tourism Association estimates losses for Rowley Shoals operators could run in the millions, with that estimate not including the wider benefits that these kind of cruises bring to the Broome community, with guests often staying in town after visiting the Rowley Shoals.
It was also revealed that the State Government has only injected $65,000 of extra funding for additional monitoring of coral bleaching along the 1,500km of coastline. One casual technical officer has been employed at 0.14 FTE (approximately six hours per week) to monitor the impacts.
“What will it take for the Labor Government to act on climate and reduce their emissions? How much of the reef will have to die and jobs will have to go before they finally act?” McNeill added.
