WWNO skyline header graphic
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WWNO/WRKF Newsroom.

Support local, independent journalism on WWNO with your Member Fest gift now! Click the donate button or Call 844-790-1094.

U.S. Drops Unarmed Bombs On Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is clearly visible from aircraft flying over it. (Wikimedia Commons)
The Great Barrier Reef is clearly visible from aircraft flying over it. (Wikimedia Commons)

The United States Navy released four bombs onto Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park when a training exercise went wrong on July 16.

The unarmed bombs were intended for a small island off the coast of Queensland. However, because of the presence of “unauthorized vessels” in the target area, the Navy decided to release them into the sea.

Despite the Navy’s assurances that the Reef is undamaged, Australians and environmentalists are upset that bombs were introduced into the fragile ecosystem, which has faced a myriad of threats to its survival — including climate change, ocean acidification and structural damage from ships.

Guest

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

👋 Looks like you could use more news. Sign up for our newsletters.

* indicates required
New Orleans Public Radio News
New Orleans Public Radio Info