REEF IN GOOD SHAPE AND OPEN FOR BUSSINESS FOLLOWING TROPICAL CYCLONE LARRY

24/03/2006 - The Great Barrier Reef remains well and truly open for business in the wake of Cyclone Larry, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell declared today.
Senator Campbell said only a very small area – around 1 per cent – was likely to have suffered any significant damage from the cyclone. The vast majority of the Reef was still in great shape.
"It's important to note that the Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2300km, but the area severely affected is unlikely to be more than a band of about 20 to 30km wide," he said.
"This amounts to only 1 per cent of the entire Reef, and history has shown us that the Reef will very likely bounce back quickly from any damage.
"The Great Barrier Reef has demonstrated its remarkable resilience following other tropical cyclones in the past – largely because it is one of the world's healthiest reef ecosystems.
"Some scientists are even saying that Cyclone Larry may actually have had a positive impact on the Great Barrier Reef, because the cyclone has had the effect of cooling ocean temperatures so that there is less likelihood of coral bleaching. Massive amounts of water will have been turned over, dissipating the upper warm layer which is between 10 and 20 metres thick.
"Cyclone Larry hasn't changed the fact that the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most stunning natural wonders and ecosystems on the planet."
Senator Campbell said the Australian Government was playing its part to continue the Reef's health and resilience, allowing it to better cope with natural events like cyclones.
"Not only is the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan helping to improve to protect the Reef's resilience, but the Howard Government's historic protection of one-third of the Reef through the Representative Areas Programme means fish populations are re-building and ecosystems improving in the area.
"The Howard Government's commitment to Reef protection has been recognised by the environmental group WWF, through the presentation of its prestigious Gift to the Earth award last year.
"Australia is incredibly blessed to have this amazing living icon, and with continued good management, visitors from all around the country and the world will be able to enjoy it for generations to come," Senator Campbell said.
Senator Campbell said scientists from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority were organising a survey of the reef area affected by Cyclone Larry.