Great Barrier Reef outlook ‘getting worse’

[malaise]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/great-barrier-reef-outlook-getting-worse/story-e6frg6xf-1227022279428?nk=3954544140848b726e894ecfe6e349a9
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THE Great Barrier Reef is an “icon under pressure” with the overall outlook poor and getting worse, according to a review by its statutory custodian.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority chairman Russell Reichelt said the reef ­retained its universal values as a World Heritage Area and the federal and Queensland governments have pledged to restrict port development areas and continue major funding.

But Mr Reichelt said: “The ­accumulation of impacts through time and over an ­increasing area is reducing its ability to recover from disturbances.”

He said management initiatives since 2009 had yielded positive outcomes but extreme weather and long recovery times had continued the overall deterioration of the reef.

Releasing the 2014 update of the reef outlook report, federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt said run-off, crown-of-thorns starfish, development along the coast, fishing and ­climate change had been identified as the major threats.