Two Queensland reefs named in honour of conservationist John Büsst
Marine scientist Adam Smith proposed the naming to recognise Büsst's campaign to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
John Büsst Reefs is the new name for two previously unnamed reefs off Far North Queensland, honouring a conservationist who fought proposals to mine coral and drill for oil.
Scientists and conservationists are gathering to mark the naming at Ninney Rise, Büsst's former home at Mission Beach. An expedition to the reefs is also planned. Marine scientist Adam Smith proposed the name in recognition of Büsst's contribution to securing Commonwealth protection.
Büsst wrote more than 4,000 letters seeking protection for the reef during the 1960s. His opponents dubbed him the “Bastard of Bingil Bay”. His campaign included opposition to a plan to extract coral from Ellison Reef for fertiliser and a Queensland government proposal for offshore oil drilling.
Dr Smith said Büsst brought supporters together and used scientific evidence to challenge the proposals. Marine scientist Charlie Veron said Büsst and the late Judith Wright played essential roles in advocating for protection when few scientists could speak publicly about the reef.
Büsst died in 1971, aged 62, four years before Gough Whitlam declared the reef a protected marine area. Dr Smith said Büsst also helped campaign to protect tropical lowland rainforest in Far North Queensland.
