How do pesticides get into oysters?
Walking along estuaries in NSW, one finds that most oysters have been 'harvested' by very hungry people. And no, not by oystercatchers.

"Pesticide residue from farms and towns is ending up in fresh oysters. Most of the herbicides, insecticides and fungicides we found are used routinely by farmers, land managers and council workers."

"Four pesticides – atrazine, diuron, hexazinone and metolachlor – were found in concentrations above safe environmental limits for fresh and marine water.
The sheer number of different pesticides we found in oysters was perhaps the biggest concern for lovers of oysters. Five of these – pebulate, vernolate, fosetyl Al, benomyl and prothiofos – have residue limits set at zero for meat."
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https://theconversation.com/pesticide-residue-from-farms-and-towns-is-ending-up-in-fresh-oysters-219395
#oysters #seafood #food #rivers #RichmondRiver #PesticideHub #NSW #pesticides #mangroves #sugarcane #runoff #TheGreatBarrierReef #water #ocean #coast #wildlife #oystercatcher #toxins #OneHealth

Climate Council oceans report says seas are warming faster, calls for end to fossil fuel projects

"Scientists say new fossil fuel projects need to stop and environmental laws need updating. Right now, our national environmental law, which is meant to protect the Great Barrier Reef and all these other incredible wonders that we rely on, it doesn't even consider climate change and the impact of new coal and gas developments on our climate and the damage that causes."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-08/climate-council-releases-code-blue-oceans-in-crisis-report/103075272
#Australia #FossilFules #reef #ocean #laws #TheGreatBarrierReef #NativeForests #biodiversity

The hidden source of excess nutrients suffocating the Great Barrier Reef

"The understanding and ability to manage the sources of nutrients is pivotal in preserving global coral reef systems."

"Our results suggest the need for a strategic shift in management approaches aimed at safeguarding the Great Barrier Reef from the effects of excess nutrients."

"This includes better land management practices to ensure fewer nutrients are entering groundwater aquifers. We can also use ecological (such as seaweed and bivalve aquaculture, enhancing seagrass, oyster reefs, mangroves and salt marsh) and hydrological (increasing flushing where possible) practices at groundwater discharge hotspots to reduce excess nutrients in the water column."

https://theconversation.com/theres-a-hidden-source-of-excess-nutrients-suffocating-the-great-barrier-reef-we-found-it-214364
#water #TheGreatBarrierReef #fertilisers #farms #pollution #FossilFuels