S5.E3 - Joe Marano, Cane Farming by the Great Barrier Reef

S5.E3 - Joe Marano, Cane Farming by the Great Barrier Reef

Author: James Donaldson, Wet Tropics Waterways August 30, 2023 Duration: 26:14

The sugarcane industry is a highly visible part of the Wet Tropics landscape – if you drive between Ingham and the Daintree, you can't miss it. Employing more than 4000 direct jobs and supporting another 1800, it contributes over $630 million to our local rural economies. However, since the health of the Great Barrier Reef has been in the spotlight, so too has the impact of the sugar industry on water quality.

In this week's Reef & Rivers podcast, we're joined by Joe Marano, a proud sugarcane farmer and passionate advocate for the industry. He talks us through the experiences of farming in a highly sensitive environment under the glare of the scientific and political spotlight.  


There's a vital, living connection between the lush, rainforested rivers of Far North Queensland and the vast blue expanse of the Great Barrier Reef. What happens in one profoundly affects the other. Hosted by James Donaldson from Wet Tropics Waterways, the Reef And Rivers Podcast explores this intricate relationship by giving a voice to the people who know it best. Each conversation moves beyond abstract science to ground-level stories, offering a direct line to farmers, Traditional Owners, researchers, and community volunteers who are actively engaged with the landscape. You'll hear about the specific critters-from tiny insects to majestic fish-that indicate a waterway's health, and learn about the practical, often ingenious projects aimed at protecting them. This isn't just a series of interviews; it's an ongoing audio documentary about the interdependence of an entire region's lifestyle, economy, and environment. By tuning into this podcast, you gain an understanding of how everyday actions on land ripple out to the reef, and more importantly, how collective effort is working to ensure both these iconic systems thrive for generations to come. The discussions are grounded, hopeful, and filled with the kind of specific details that only come from firsthand experience.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 72

Reef And Rivers Podcast
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