New research has found that pesticide regulation and management in the reef catchment areas of Queensland had failed to prevent the exposure of ecosystems to the significant risk of agricultural chemicals.
The study revealed more than 50 individual pesticide residues had been detected in the Great Barrier Reef waterways.
Other concerns within the study included the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s (APVMA) processes that support the continued use of registered products even after the environmental or health concerns are addressed.
“Eve far offshore in the Great Barrier Reef marine waters pesticides are always found due to their surprisingly long half-lives in marine waters and long residence times in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.”