GBR Foundation Endorsement | Ecoganic farming - Red Tip Banana, Avocado, Papaya.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation Endorsement

The Issues…

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF – AUSTRALIA

WHAT WE KNOW:

  • 27% of the world’s reefs are effectively lost and 40% will be lost by 2010. The causes are poorly understood.
  • Loss of reefs means loss of biodiversity and loss of industries like fishing and tourism.
  • Loss of reef biodiversity means loss of potential to develop life-saving new drugs.
  • 500 million people worldwide use/depend on coral reefs.
  • The Great Barrier Reef is one of the last reefs in pristine condition.
  • Its rich biota makes it ideal for research that can be applied not only to it but to reefs worldwide to help their conservation and sustainability.

PACIFIC COAST ECO BANANA GROWING PROTOCOL – has set down very stringent parameters for its growers to comply with.

The protocol:

  • firstly uses the requirements of a certified ISO 14001 system as a prerequisite to the growing system and
  • secondly, demands nil use of insecticides, nematicides and miticides on the soil and a fertilizer program that demonstrates minimum impact on water quality that may affect the Great Barrier Reef.

Pacific Coast Eco Bananas has been proactive in addressing farming practices that have the potential to impact not only on the farm environment but equally important off farm environments such as the Great Barrier Reef.

Pacific Coast Eco Bananas is proud to have received endorsement by the Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation for accomplishing ISO14001 and Eco Growing Protocol certification.

Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation Endorsement

Media Release

Foundation celebrates 16 years of support from Reef Champion banana growers

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation is celebrating 16 years of support from the Reef Champion banana growers behind Pacific Coast Eco Bananas.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden said the Foundation was proud that award-winning Innisfail banana growers Frank and Dianne Sciacca, alongside their certified growers, have been donating a portion of their sales to protect the Reef for the last 16 years.

“Red tip bananas have been helping save the Reef for 16 years now. The Sciacca’s are leading the way in addressing farming practices that have the potential to impact not only on the farm environment but equally important off farm environments such as the Great Barrier Reef,” said Ms Marsden.

“Frank and Dianne Sciacca have been recognised for their efforts by winning a plethora of awards including the coveted Prince of Wales Environmental Leadership – Reef Sustainability (Reef Champion) Award in 2017.”

Pacific Coast Eco Bananas Director Frank Sciacca said healthy farms and healthy waterways are vital for the survival of the Great Barrier Reef which is currently under threat.

“I have been diving on the Reef since I was young and slowly I have seen the degradation of the coral reefs and it made me want to do everything I can,” Mr Sciacca said.

“That is why we created the Ecoganic farming system which focuses on innovation of non-chemical solutions to solve imbalances created by conventional farming.

“We also strive to have zero impact upon nearby waterways and the Great Barrier Reef.

“Eco Bananas and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation have the same goal of protecting the Reef so it makes sense for us to put our support behind such an important organisation.

“Our farming system protects the environment – it encourages all creatures to flourish, contributes to the health of the soil, protects the waterways and produces a far superior banana.”

A percentage of Pacific Coast Eco Bananas is donated to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation for research, a list of stockists is available here.

Pacific Coast Eco Bananas featured on this week’s edition of ABC Landline, watch the clip here.

PUBLISHED