MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
A report commissioned jointly by the Australian and Maldivian Governments
into the impact of the Boxing Day tsunami on the Maldivian coral reef and
baitfish populations was released today.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer said the joint report
delivers on a commitment made by Prime Minister John Howard to the Maldivian
President in January, to help the small island nation assess possible affects
of the tsunami on the country's two key economic drivers.
'With over 50 per cent of Maldivian GDP derived from coral reef and
island based tourism and a further 12 per cent derived from fisheries it was
understandable that the Maldivian Government wanted to assess the impact of the
tsunami on coral reef health and baitfish populations,' Mr Downer
said.
'A nine person Australian team from AusAID, CSIRO, the Australian
Institute of Marine Science, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and
James Cook University lent their expertise to the 17 day
mission.
'The report is good news for the Maldives, indicating the tsunami had
minimal impact on the country's coral reefs and baitfish
populations.
'According to the report, there has been surprisingly little change to
reef flats, beaches and islands.
'There is also good news for the Maldivian fishing industry, with the
tsunami causing little change in fishing conditions.'
Minister Downer said the report should help boost the Maldivian tourism
industry which has suffered in the wake of the tsunami.
'Occupancy rates, normally at 100 per cent this time of year have
plummeted to 40 per cent, no doubt based at least in part on perceived damage
to the reef,' Mr Downer said.
'This report puts those concerns to rest and tourists can rest assured
that the tsunami has had minimal impact on the coral reefs in the
Maldives.'
The report is available from the AusAID website at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's Office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590