http://www.greatbarrierreef.org.au/new-science-panel-looks-at-water-not-sick-fish-by-john-mikkelsen-the-queensland-telegraph/
By John
Mikkelsen
SPECULATION has
been running hot over membership of the State Government’s new science panel to
oversee Gladstone Harbour water quality, with claims there is no focus on the
health of marine animals.
Makeup of the
panel under the leadership of marine scientist Dr Ian Poiner was announced
recently by Environment Minister Andrew Powell, but in local media comments,
some Gladstone residents have pointed out the notable omission of a scientist
who has already conducted independent research in the harbour, aquatic
veterinarian Dr Matt Landos.
Dr Landos yesterday confirmed to the Telegraph there
was no one on the panel with veterinary fish health expertise. He
said the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists had an
aquatic animal health chapter, of which he was a long term member.
“None of the members are on the panel. Only registered
vets are qualified under the Veterinary Surgeons Act to make a diagnosis as an
act of veterinary science.
“You go to a doctor when you are sick for a
diagnosis.....not some other scientist.
“They are
obsessed with looking at indirect measures of health- for example, water
quality, rather than look at the outcome- which is the animals living in the
toxic soup they are creating.
“A
classic case of they don’t know, what they don’t know, so a multi-disciplinary
team approach is warranted…” he
said. (Dr Landos recently released a detailed scientific report on
behalf of charity group, the Gladstone Fishing Research Fund, which blamed
major dredging as the most likely cause of continuing disease in marine life).
Mr Powell said
the science panel was tasked with providing independent expert advice
about the long term management of water quality in Gladstone Harbour . It would
provide open, transparent, peer-reviewed science to the Gladstone Healthy
Harbour Partnership.
"The
Independent Science Panel brings the key experts together at one table to
integrate research and monitoring into a report card that gives a picture of
the management of Gladstone Harbour and its surrounds," Mr Powell said.
He said the other
panel members were chosen by Dr Poiner and were experts in their particular
field. Local expertise was also being sought on the panel from
Central Queensland University.
Panel members
to date include: Dr Richard Brinkman – hydrodynamics; Dr Michele
Burford – biogeochemistry; Dr Rob Coles - marine biodiversity; Dr Cathy
Dichmont - decision support and modeling; Dr Britta Schaffelke - water
quality;Dr Jenny Stauber - marine toxicology; Dr Eva Abal - ecosystem health.
Mr Powell
said some of the first tasks the panel would undertake included mapping
existing monitoring and research in the harbour to identify duplication and
knowledge gaps.
"They will
make recommendations to the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership on actions
required to address any emerging science issues.
"The group
will also develop the design for future Gladstone Healthy Harbour Report
Cards,” Mr Powell said.
"This is an
important step that sees industry, government, research and the local community
all working together to achieve and maintain a healthy Gladstone Harbour."
