POLLUTION AND CONSERVATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN COASTLINE

Abstract

Coastal pollution, particulaly in estuaries, has already reached serious proportion in some areas of Australia. Public health, fish farming (principally oyster culture), fishery nursery areas, bird rookeries and subtidal faunal and floral communities are endangered. Pesticide levels, algal overgrowths, depleted oxygen levels and rising water temperatures may constitute lethal pollution.

The dumping of industrial wastes and sewerage effluents, the construction of restricting barrages, and uncontrolled tourism, spear fishing, excessive shell collecting, careless operation of all-terrain vehicles and other damaging influences are spreading destruction or modifying natural balances in an ever expanding range of coastal environments.

Oil pollution, principally by refinery discharges and the cleaning of oil tankers at sea by less responsible operators, often under cover of "flags of convenience", is intensified by the increasing incidence of tanker mishaps at sea. The dangers of accidental oil well blow-outs on the Great Barrier Reef, should drilling be resumed, have been grossly exaggerated by educated people who should have more concern for the facts. In fact many advantages accrue by the research facilities offered by the offshore operations. Such potential dangers recede to insignificance by comparison with scientists' claims as to the depredation of the Reef by the "Crown of Thorns" starfish, about which comparatively little is being done in Australia, and the damage to sensitive life chains from chlorinated hydrocarbons and fertilisers entering the sea via rivers.

Mining operations do cause ecological damage or modification in the coastal perimiters, despite reclamation and artificial beautification schemes. The immediate economic benefits, however, must be properly balanced in relation to the overall community needs.

Responsible scientific opinion, based on factual data, rather than extremist emotionalism, will continue to strengthen public consciousness, and will continue to encourage mining and oil companies to expand their own conservation programmes and to support C.S.I.R.O. and governmental and university-based research generally. Such public companies are already leaders in the fight against pollution, and employ increasing numbers of research biologists and related scientists in these endeavours. In the ultimate analysis, the public itself must be educated to be prepared to pay more for protection of its coastal inheritance, and to insist that Government Administrative services are streamlined to handle the problems on a national scale.

The need for a co-ordinated inter-governmental and Australia-wide authority charged with the responsibility of zoning the coast in order of priority, with provision for wild life protection, public recreational needs and industrial complexes, is of primary importance.

Government and Industry must unite in an all-out effort to arrest coastal deterioration and to speed the biological and ecological mapping of the coastal zone.

Geosurveys of Australia Pty. Limited — Adelaide

Priorities for coastal use and biological "bench marks" must be drawn up as a basis for monitoring and protecting the estuaries and other areas where population and industrial and recreational activities concentrate.