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15/12/2007: "WHAT KILLS CORAL REEFS?..... Rare white sand beach"
If you were to travel north from Brisbane by boat, most of the coast would be muddy water.
Run-off from the many rivers talking silt into the sea, which of course isn't too good for any coral reef.
Years ago someone said Cairns originally had a white sand beach. This long lost beach might still exist somewhere deep under meters of mud which now comprise the disappointing (to visitors) low tide view at The Esplanade.
The mud came from sugar cane farms which began in the area maybe 100 years ago.
As one travels to the far north of Queensland, where there are no towns, cities or farms, the coast today is largely unspoiled. White sand beaches exist - even with mangrove tree's growing on them.
Something I thought would have been impossible on the coast.
There is no doubt that farming has effected the health of inshore coral reefs. Killing the reef in most examples.
Further offshore reefs at Low Isles (offshore from Port Douglas) are not too healthy either as it gets the monsoonal run-off.
(P.S. I'll post underwater dying coral reef picture examples from Low Isles during the New Year).
