Water Quality

Coral reefs, and the ecosystems they sustain, depend on the quality of the water within and around them. Declining water quality associated with run-off from the adjacent catchments is a major cause of the current poor state of many of the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef. Increasing sediment, nutrients and contaminants, combined with rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification are damaging our Reef. 

Improving water quality buys time for marine and coastal ecosystems to adapt to multiple stressors and increases their ability to withstand and recover from the challenges associated with climate change. The Water Quality Program supports agricultural management practices that increase the profitability, productivity, and sustainability of food production systems while also reducing pollutants lost through runoff.