ROB p with this current Oz government, I definitely don't want us to have influence on world affairs, through the UN or any other way.

Hell, they can do enough damage here, without it going any further. It is because idiots like our Julia, & tinpot dictators have too much input now, that I would shut the UN down, in the fastest way possible.

JF Aus are you suggesting we could see the UN do something useful in world affairs. Something like the great work they are doing right now in Syria I suppose. They would probably get some of their monkeys like that Kofi bloke to moan on TV & tell some one how bad they are.

The Great Barrier Reef will do a lot better if we stop wasting money on grandstanding World Heritage monkeys from the UN. I'm sure they don't know as much about the reef as AIMS, the Marine Park Authority, & James Cook uni, & all them together know a damn sight less than the average reef fisherman out of Mackay.

If you believe even 10% of the garbage coming out of the UN, you are a very naive little Ozzie.

Hasbeen, a long term friend said to me recently that we were lucky to see the GBR the way it was, meaning back in the 1960's. These days I think the only hope the GBR has is through UNESCO action on the massive destruction of GBR food web ecosystem nurseries in the estuaries, especially at Gladstone.

Do you think AIMS and the Marine Park Authority & James Cook uni know about the bent GBRMPA boundary around Gladstone that allows legal dredging of Gladstone seagrass habitat?
Damage at Gladstone was done and underway before UNESCO became aware of the situation and came to see it.

How is it possible organizations push for offshore ocean marine parks and no take zones and protected areas, yet say nothing about devastation of most seagrass nurseries that are supposed to provide small fish to feed ocean animals?
Unprecedented marine animal starvation has even been occurring in GBR and east coast waters.

What I believe is what I see with my own eyes or learn through honest non political knowledge including from expert fishermen.
Fishermen do not fish for seagrass.
Long term general underwater observation categorically reveals sewage nutrient pollution proliferating algae smothering seagrass and coral, the latter then bleaching, now strangely attributed to CO2.

Ocean dead zones are increasing in number and size and occurrence worldwide, coinciding with more people.

Does anybody know if AGW and Kyoto science has measured and assessed photosynthesis-linked warmth in ocean algae plant matter? Surely someone on OLO has courage to face that single question and answer it.

The UN has been conned about CO2, so have Australians.
There is no 10%. Damage is either from sewage or CO2. Accordingly, WHAT solutions are needed?
Considering the damage and devastation in the name of development at Gladstone and proposed elsewhere on the GBR lagoon coast, the silence from AIMS and James Cook and GBRMPA ‘experts’ is absolutely extraordinary.

As for UN action and Syria, how many of the dead were killed by rebels, terrorists, gangs?
Is Assad guilty or are rebels? Who is arming rebels and gangs?

Yes, the GBR the way is was.
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/qld/content/2012/07/s3540412.htm

Australian politicians have no right to a UN Security Council seat due to their track record ignoring ocean food devastation and resulting unrest amongst people of the previously idyllic Pacific Islands.

Food security, regional security, political security. Guess the focus of politicians.

No wonder this world is in such a mess.

JF Aus, have you ever seen the reef? If so how much. You sound as if you think it's something you could stick in Sydney harbour.

The little bit off Gladstone is useful for Gladstone tourism, but it is a mere drop as far as the reef goes.

Have you ever been out to the Swains, had a look at the hard line? If not I suggest you do, so you can get some perspective into your thinking.

I also suggest you go have a look at the idyllic Pacific islands. You should have a chat to a few old hands while you're at it. Anyone who can call them idyllic has rose coloured glasses welded on. Living on one was a tough gig.

The fact that they have had a population explosion on many of them is causing more problems than any white man.

I see from your link, the academics are still using the ABC to push their funding desires. You surely can't still believe anything they push can you? How many times can these people predict the destruction of the reef yet again, & still get a run at the ABC

Has been, you be the judge on what I may have seen and heard during a lifetime of underwater and ocean experience.

Modesty aside I have been towed feet first backwards about 3 metres underwater for a total distance of about 400 nautical miles along the outer edge of the GBR while filming giant black marlin attacking and feeding. I was inside a giant lure designed to attract the animal. So I have seen the GBR, yes?

Sydney Harbour and sewage nutrient pollution loaded fresher-water water flows in the east Australia sediment dispersal system to Cape York, past Gladstone where dredged nutrient loads are presently adding to the total load. It is the overload of nutrients that is causing problems such as feeding algae smothering seagrass on which small fish depend on which birds and whales and ocean fish depend.

Hervey Bay and Gladstone waters have been a major feeding ground as deeper ocean waters reach into actual coastal waters right there, just south of where the GBR lagoon begins. In 2000 when the world’s 24 million population of Short-tailed Shearwater mutton birds arrived at that feeding ground many were unable to find adequate food, many then continued south to other feeding grounds, mass mortality of those birds then occurred along coastline extending from Rockhampton to South Australia and around Tasmania. Wildlife experts in 4 states were shocked by severity of the mortality. So Gladstone is not just for tourism.

These days whale calves re being abandoned, like cows abandon their calves when impacted by starvation.

(continued at next post - perhaps worthwhile)

Continued……

As for knowledge of the Swain Reefs, in the 60’s I once guided wealthy US divers exploring the world underwater. We ran aground in the Swains, so I have really close experience with the Swain Reefs.

Diving and underwater film production has led to various Pacific Islands and in 1973 I chatted to an old Laulasi Island (Malaita) shark worship priest who told me the lower human leg is the tastiest part. I agree older people have had considerable experience.

In 1982 I learned Laulasi – Langa Langa Lagoon people suffer malnutrition due to traditional baitfish supply devastation. Yes it’s a tough gig there now but was not previously.
The change in my opinion based on evidence, is nutrient laden ocean current nutrient pollution PLUS local nutrient pollution, due to the entire Asia Pacific human population explosion.

Yes the ABC and their academic only-in-the-books ‘knowledge’. Add greed and CO2 and acidic acid spin and accordingly damage and consequences continue because solutions to nutrient pollution is not being addressed.

I suggest put destruction of the GBR aside and consider destruction of sustainable world ocean food supply is one of the major problems.

Hungry people experience irritation. Fighting and recrimination and civil unrest develops. Academics blame ethnic tension or religious intolerance or terrorism etc.

Real causes such as food and land shortage are ignored including by UN Security Council aspirant Mr Rudd who I tried so hard to reach and inform, to no avail