SUKIN SUPPORTING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Did you know the Great Barrier Reef is home to six of the seven marine turtle species inhabiting our great planet? Did you also know that over 3,000 different types of coral and 1,700 specifies of fish also call the Reef home? Amazing isn’t it!
Which is why here at Sukin we are seriously concerned that our amazing Barrier Reef’s future is currently at risk. After climate change (see what we are doing about that here ) poor water quality is the greatest local threat to the future of our reef. Each year, millions of tonnes of fine sediment (containing pesticides and other chemical nasties) flow from the eroding inland areas surrounding the reef into the sea, choking fish, creating algae blooms and feeding crown-of-thorns Starfish. This issue is exacerbated by the degradation of up to 50% of Australia’s coastal wetlands, which had previously acted as a giant filter to sediment prior to entering the reef.
That’s why Sukin has partnered with Greening Australia on their Reef Aid Program. Greening Australia is a not for profit that was established over 40 years ago to tackle Australia’s biggest environmental challenges with the best science and the best people, to return life to landscapes and balance to the natural environment.
This partnership, through the Reef Aid program, has helped to stop sediment at its source and improve water quality. We have worked with local landholders and communities across the Great Barrier Reef Catchment to rebuild eroding land and restore vital coastal wetlands.
WHO ARE WE HELPING?
As a part of Reef Aid, Sukin is excited to be giving some much-needed love & support to the Australian Hawksbill Turtle!
These little guys play a hugely important role in maintaining the health of the Great Barrier Reef. By removing algae, hawksbills allow fish better access to the reef to feed. These turtles also help maintain sponge levels (their main food source) in the reef, this keeps everything in balance and ensures the sponges don’t suffocate the coral.
By allowing sediment to continue to flow into the reef, these sponges will be laden with dirt and pesticides, which can be potentially fatal to our turtle friends.
THE DETAILS
Project 1 – Strathalbyn Station
Sukin has contributed to the restoration of 17.4 hectares of inland gullies through land remediation and revegetation with native grass species.
The 10 different gully treatment trials implemented delivered a dramatic 98% average effectiveness in reducing fine sediment pollutants reaching the reef.
This project completed in late 2020 and proved that gully remediation techniques are capable of achieving large reductions in point source sediment and associated particulate nutrient pollution of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
Photo credit: Annette Ruzicka
Project 2 – Figtree Lagoon
Part of Greening Australia’s Priority Coastal Habitat and Wetlands project, Sukin has helped in restoring 8 hectares of wetlands previously used to farm sugarcane.
Over 514,000 plants willere be established as a part of this restoration,. An outstanding increase in birdlife has been observed by experts at Birdlife Australia – a sign that the habitat is being used for its intended purpose. The number of wetland species has quadrupled since the wetland has been constructed, and many new species are making their home in the riparian plantings too, from mistletoe birds to brown honeyeaters and more
Photo credit: Annette Ruzicka
THIS IS WHAT REEF AID HAS ACHIEVED SO FAR:
Since Greening Australia launched Reef Aid in 2016, over $35 million worth of projects have been delivered together with First Nations partners, landholders, local suppliers and likeminded organisations. More than 1,700 hectares of gullies and wetlands have been restored, stopping over 44,000 tonnes of sediment from reaching the Reef.
