Great Barrier Reef: Australia unveils A$60m protection plan

The Great Barrier Reef is facing threats to its survival

The Australian government has announced a A$60m (£34m; $48m) plan to help improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

The reef suffered mass coral bleaching events in 2016 and 2017, which scientists said were a result of warmer ocean temperatures.

It has also endured damage from crown-of-thorns starfish and cyclones.

The new money, to be spent in four ways, will particularly target starfish and soil erosion.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said there was a "strong link" between the coral-eating species and water pollution.

"While [the reef] is facing increasing threats, we intend to remain leaders in reef management," he said.

The new measures include spending:

• A$36m on farmers to restore vegetation around reef catchments, offsetting erosion;
• A$10m for an "all-out-assault" on crown-of-thorns starfish by increasing culling vessels;
• A$6m on science agencies to develop ways to make coral more "resilient";
• A$4m to employ more field officers to warn about bleaching.
• It is part of a commitment by federal and state governments to spend A$2bn on improving the reef over the next decade.
  "We want to ensure its future for the benefit of all Australians, particularly those whose livelihood depends on the reef," the government said in a statement on Monday.
• Barrier Reef coral bleaching 'worst ever'

The Labor opposition criticised the plan for not including measures that target land-clearing, which contributes to run-off and carbon pollution.

The reef, located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland, spans an area of 344,400 sq km (133,000 sq mi) and is the largest living structure on Earth.

It contributes an estimated A$6.4bn a year to the Australian economy.

The UN says it is the "most biodiverse" of all the World Heritage sites, and of "enormous scientific and intrinsic importance".