Dive into the science protecting the Great Barrier Reef at the Cairns Show

The Great Barrier Reef will be on display at the Cairns Show this week [19 – 21 July] with a focus on encouraging people to help protect this international icon. 

Minister for the Great Barrier Reef Steven Miles said it was a great opportunity to showcase the reef at a major regional event.

“Cairns is a launching pad to the reef which is why we made the Cairns Show a key stop for the Reef Think Tank on its regional roadshow tour,” Mr Miles said. 

“This educational display, developed in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, aims to raise understanding of the key threats facing coral reefs and how we can help address them.

Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt praised the Great Barrier Reef Foundation for partnering with the Palaszczuk Government to help educate the community about the ways in which they can protect the reef.

“Our aim is to give the public the tools to start their own conservation journey,” Mr Pitt said.

“As we’ve seen recently, two consecutive years of coral bleaching has taken its toll on the reef.

“While efforts to tackle climate change are underway, we are focused on improving the quality of water flowing to the reef and building its resilience – and everyone has a role to play in this.”

“As Queenslanders, it is up to us to be at the forefront of protecting our national treasure.

“Small everyday actions such as using fewer chemicals and fertilisers - and reducing, reusing and recycling - can have a huge, positive impact on the Reef, particularly when hundreds and thousands of people follow suit.”

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said: “We want to connect with as many people as possible who live in catchments that flow to the reef.

“The exhibit has just returned from the Townsville Show, having been in Mackay, Bundaberg, Gladstone and Rockhampton earlier, and it’s exciting that Show visitors in my region will have an opportunity to come and check it out.”

Following the Cairns Show, the exhibit will travel to Pine Rivers and the Royal Queensland Show in Brisbane.

Great Barrier Reef Managing Director Anna Marsden said the display would show Queenslanders how their everyday actions, such as saving energy and recycling, can help keep the reef great.

“The reef is Australia’s greatest natural wonder and we all share responsibility for its future,” Ms Marsden said.

“We are also thrilled to be able to offer everyone who comes to see the display a chance to win a once in a lifetime research expedition to the Great Barrier Reef with marine biologist and Emmy Award-winning ocean cinematographer Richard Fitzpatrick.

“Everyone who completes our reef scientist quiz will go in the draw to win and also find out more about what makes our reef great.”

Entries in the online reef scientist quiz, which tests people’s knowledge of what is great and not great for the Great Barrier Reef, close on 1 October 2017.

More information is available at www.cairnsshow.com.au.

The reef scientist quiz is also available online at www.barrierreef.org/great.

ENDS

Media contact: Alison Brown - 3719 7336