MKT01760: Analysis of Great Barrier Reef Pollution and Tourism Report

This report, prepared for the MKT01760 course, examines the effects of pollution on the Great Barrier Reef and its implications for the tourism industry. The report critically analyzes two discussion papers, employing the tourism policy cycle to diagnose the issue. It identifies the sources of pollution, including terrestrial runoff, river pollutants, and industrial waste, and their impact on water quality, marine life, and ultimately, tourism. The analysis covers the policy cycle stages: identifying issues, analyzing them, proposing policy solutions, consultation, selecting alternatives, implementation, and evaluation. The report compares and contrasts the selected papers, highlighting their strengths in analyzing pollution but noting the absence of a discussion on land clearing. A reflection section discusses the learning gained, emphasizing the importance of the Great Barrier Reef to the Australian economy and the need for sustainable tourism practices. The conclusion stresses the need for stakeholder collaboration to mitigate pollution and preserve the reef's health. The report provides a detailed understanding of the challenges and potential solutions for the Great Barrier Reef's environmental and economic sustainability, supporting the need for stakeholder involvement in the protection of this essential natural resource.

Pollution in the Great Barrier Reef
Tourism Planning Environments
STUDENT NAME:
STUDENT ID:
SUBJECT NAME:
SUBJECT CODE: MKT01760
ASSIGNMENT 2
1 | P a g e

ABSTRACT
Pollution in the Great Barrier Reef has impacted tourism activity. This has deterred
overall influx of tourists into the Reef from various corners of the world. The scope of this study
takes into consideration two discussion papers, in order to have a detailed insight into the
challenge facing the Reef. The analysis is conducted by use of tourism policy cycle for
diagnosing the issue in great detail.
In the end a reflection analysis is undertaken to reveal the understanding and gain in
knowledge from critiquing the discussion paper. It was understood that the papers provided
immense insights into the ways theoretical knowledge could be applied for practical findings.
2 | P a g e

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................2
1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................4
2.0 COMPARE & CONTRAST......................................................................................................4
3.0 REFLECTION ON LEARNING’S...........................................................................................7
4.0 CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................8
5.0 REFERENCE LISTS.................................................................................................................9
3 | P a g e

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Australia’s pristine health is one of its greatest natural tressure, amongst which the Great
Barrier Reef is a World Heritage site (Brodie et. al., 2010). Pollution in the Great Barrier Reef
has been rising continuously. This has caused a concern at an alarming rate as it is a significant
threat to the long-term health of the reef that has an area of 2,300 kilometres. There are two
discussion papers, which analyses the potential and significant effects of pollution on the Great
Barrier Reef. A tourism policy cycle has been used for analysing the above issue in detail and
arriving at a reflection related to the same.
2.0 COMPARE & CONTRAST
In order to understand the issue related to pollution in the Great Barrier Reef, two discussion
papers have been selected. These discussion papers failed to identify the political issue of land
clearing however, they have succeeded in analysing the issue in great detail. Brodie et. al. (2012)
identify terrestrial pollutant runoff to the Great Barrier Reef. Second discussion paper by Devlin,
et. al. (2012) maps pollutants in surface riverine flood plume waters in the Great Barrier Reef in
Asurtalia.
1. Identifying issues –The Great Barrier Reef is facing an environmental concern
related to water runoff from near farm lands, river pollutants and so on. With over two
million tourists visiting the Reef each year, environmental concern is bound to have an
impact on the overall tourism industry. Due to rising sea temperatures, overfishing and
industrialization along the coast, large amounts of wastes gets dumped into the Reef. It
impacts tourism activities due to poor water quality, lack of fishes, corals and presence of
visible pollutants. In order to continue attracting tourists to the place, cleaning and
pollution curbing steps needs to be taken.
2. Analysis of issues – The primary cause of pollution in the Reef has been
identified to be runoff from farm land area in the nearby places and river pollution, which
4 | P a g e

drains finally into the ocean in Great Barrier Reef (Schaffelke, Carleton, Skuza,
Zagorskis & Furnas, 2012). Setting industries along the coastline have continuously
dumped industrial waste such as heavy metals into the ocean. Moreover, mineral and
other chemicals from mining industries have been dumped into the Great Barrier Reef.
Expensive use of fertilizers and other chemicals in nearby lands have led to draining into
the Reef causing polluting elements to enter the ocean.
3. Policy solution (Federal or State). Instruments (plans, tax, funding or regulation).
The Australian and Queensland Governments have planned to act in coordination since
2007 towards protecting the reef. The Queensland Government introduced the Ports Bill
in 2014 as a measure of protecting the reef.
4. Consultation –The Federal Government along with the government in Queensland is
working with the local community, fisherman, farmers and industrialists in order to
devise steps towards protecting the reef (Kroon, Kuhnert, Henderson, Wilkinson, Kinsey-
Henderson, Abbott, Brodie & Turner, 2012). The Government have been effective in
bringing together all relevant stakeholders towards contributing in a positive manner in
protecting the reef.
5. Selection of alternative – An alternative course of action might be to bring about
awareness amongst tourist regarding rising pollution. Encouraging tourists to undertake
sustainable tourism might be a step forward to establish procedures to bring pollution
under control in the reef.
6. Implementation – Implementation of the plan to protect the reef is already functional. The
Government is conducting the lead role to ensure that the reef can be protected and
safeguarded against pollutant.
7. Evaluation – An evaluation mechanism has to be included such that frequent analysis of
the health of the reef can be undertaken. An evaluation of the reef will include checking
for quality of water, detecting levels of toxic and non-toxic wastes, analysis of fishes
5 | P a g e

present or grown in the area, damage being done to corals and so on. A performance
metrics known as KPI (key performance indicator) scores will be ascertained which will
be used to ascertain evaluation n criteria’s (Waterhouse, Brodie, Lewis & Mitchell,
2012).
Figure 1: Tourism Policy Planning Cycle
8. Comparing – Both the papers are similar in nature as they discuss the growing pollution
in the reef. The discussion papers conduct in-depth analysis of the varied types of
pollutants that are present in the reef from chemicals to other non-toxic wastes. The data
collection procedure used in both the papers aims at understanding the primarily causes
of pollution by analysis of water quality, planktons productions and so on. They also lead
to the discussion on its impact on the corals and fishes living in the area.
9. Contrasting – The discussion papers can be contrasted as one paper aims at mapping the
pollution and another aims at analysing the effectiveness of management processes
undertaken. The papers can be primarily contrasted on the basis of their impact analysis.
6 | P a g e
Selection of
preferred
alternative
Implementati
on
Evaluation
of policy
solution
Identification
of issues
Analysis of
issues
Identification
of policy
solutions &
instruments
Consultation

While one paper focuses on the appropriateness of the current management response to
the pollution rising in the area. Thus, evaluating the effectiveness of the GBR continuum
and adequateness of current management processes. Another paper identifies in great
detail the source of each pollutant by mapping them with satellite imagery pictures and
other data. The impact from such pollutants is also undertaken and analysed in the other
paper.
10. Effective the papers: Both the discussion papers are effective in communicating to the
target audience. The target audience in this case constitutes the greater stakeholders who
are connected with the reef. The lucid terms and clarity of expression within the papers
assures appropriate communication being made to target audience.
3.0 REFLECTION ON LEARNING’S
Analysing levels of pollution in the Great Barrier Reef was one the greatest analysis that I
feel to have undertaken. I am deeply involved in the process of developing and deriving aspects
from international travel and trade, the Australian tourism industry. Australia with its rich and
variant natural resources has capability to generate much more revenues from tourism sector
compared to any other sector in Australia. The Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage site is
known to attract tourists from around the world. While undertaking this study, I recognized that
tourism constitutes an essential element within the GDP contributor. Therefore every effort
needs to be made to enhance and develop this industry and also keep it free from getting
hampered. Through this analysis I realized that if the new generation fails to bring about
transformation or awareness amongst the indigenous residing near the Great Reef area then there
is bound to be transit of tourist from Great Barrier Reef. The policy cycle application gave me
immense insight into ways and means by which an issue within tourism sector can be analysed to
arrive at a probable solution.
The current reflection moreover allowed immense transfer of knowledge to take place. I
had very little ideas as to how to apply the policy cycle in reality. This analysis enhanced by
7 | P a g e

application capabilities and the experience has given me insights into the leading tourism issues
present currently in Australia. As while developing this topic, I had to go through a large number
of journals and articles, I came across varied types and tourism topics, which are under threat
presently in Australia. I realized the importance which Great Barrier Reef provides to the
Australian economy and local population in general. Tourism has significant impacts on the
country’s economy as well as it generates earning for the locals. Hotels, stays, fishing, tourists
entertainment industry, eateries and many other adjoining industries stand to gain from the
protection of the reef. A policy cycle will ensure analyse the issue for greater stakeholder group,
so that they are able to understand the importance of the discussion. Therefore, all efforts have to
be taken to ensure the vitality and prosperity of the place.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Analysing relevant aspects form the policy cycle which reveals pollution the Great Reef
leads to the understanding that this growing issue needs to be tackled. The Great Barrier Reef is
alone responsible for drawing significant number of tourism and generating revenue from the
same. The Federal along with the State Government is undertaking measures and steps to ensure
the place from get unharmed and clean its current state. However, there needs to be awareness
brought about the local farmers and fishermen, who comprise of the first hand stakeholders of
the Reef to protect it. Once varied group of stakeholders contribute equally towards maintaining
and cleaning the Reef, then sizable amounts of impact can be seen.
5.0 REFERENCE LISTS
Brodie, J.E., Kroon, F.J., Schaffelke, B., Wolanski, E.C., Lewis, S.E., Devlin, M.J., Bohnet, I.C.,
Bainbridge, Z.T., Waterhouse, J. and Davis, A.M., 2012. Terrestrial pollutant runoff to the Great
8 | P a g e

Barrier Reef: an update of issues, priorities and management responses. Marine Pollution
Bulletin, 65(4-9), pp.81-100.
Brodie, J., Schroeder, T., Rohde, K., Faithful, J., Masters, B., Dekker, A., Brando, V. and
Maughan, M., 2010. Dispersal of suspended sediments and nutrients in the Great Barrier Reef
lagoon during river-discharge events: conclusions from satellite remote sensing and concurrent
flood-plume sampling. Marine and Freshwater Research, 61(6), pp.651-664.
Devlin, M.J., McKinna, L.W., Alvarez-Romero, J.G., Petus, C., Abott, B., Harkness, P. and
Brodie, J., 2012. Mapping the pollutants in surface riverine flood plume waters in the Great
Barrier Reef, Australia. Marine pollution bulletin, 65(4-9), pp.224-235.
Kroon, F.J., Kuhnert, P.M., Henderson, B.L., Wilkinson, S.N., Kinsey-Henderson, A., Abbott,
B., Brodie, J.E. and Turner, R.D., 2012. River loads of suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus
and herbicides delivered to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Marine pollution bulletin, 65(4-9),
pp.167-181.
Schaffelke, B., Carleton, J., Skuza, M., Zagorskis, I. and Furnas, M.J., 2012. Water quality in the
inshore Great Barrier Reef lagoon: Implications for long-term monitoring and
management. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 65(4-9), pp.249-260.
Waterhouse, J., Brodie, J., Lewis, S. and Mitchell, A., 2012. Quantifying the sources of
pollutants in the Great Barrier Reef catchments and the relative risk to reef ecosystems. Marine
pollution bulletin, 65(4-9), pp.394-406.
9 | P a g e