Douglas Shoal Remediation Project: site assessment report

Abstract

The bulk carrier Shen Neng 1 ran aground on Douglas Shoal in April 2010 and remained on the shoal for ten days before being re-floated. The underside of the vessel suffered significant plate damage and paint loss (including antifouling paint (AFP)) during the grounding. The total area directly impacted by the grounding was approximately 42ha which makes this incident the largest vessel grounding known in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and possibly the largest reef-related direct shipping impact in the world.The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Authority) established the Douglas Shoal Remediation Project (the Project) in late 2016 with funds from a court settlement associated with the grounding. The approach to the site assessment was developed in line with the scope to address the Project’s desired outcomes and thus was focused on the key concerns for natural recovery of the shoal, within and adjacent to the previously identified priority remediation areas.