Great Barrier Reef water quality shows signs of recovery

Recent research and monitoring data indicate that water quality in the catchments surrounding the Great Barrier Reef is showing signs of recovery. A comprehensive study of seven major river systems, covering an area roughly the size of New Zealand, found that improvements in water quality often occur in bursts following changes in rainfall, cyclones, and land-use practices.

Key findings show that synthetic fertiliser use has decreased by as much as 50% since its peak, while sugarcane yields have remained stable. This suggests that agricultural management practices are successfully reducing nitrogen runoff without compromising productivity. Efforts to reduce sediment plumes and nutrient loads involve collaborative work between farmers, industries, and government agencies in Queensland.

Since 2014, the Australian federal and Queensland governments have invested more than A$5 billion in catchment programs aimed at improving reef health by tackling erosion and fertiliser runoff. While these local improvements are a positive step for inshore corals and seagrass, experts note that they must be paired with global action on climate change and ocean warming to ensure the reef's long-term survival.