Diseased fish confirm damage to Great Barrier Reef ecosystem, say scientists

New research into reef confirms sediment from coastal agriculture and industry development, such as the dredging for ports, is having an adverse effect on fish

The kind of muddy waters often seen around the Great Barrier Reef increase disease rates in fish and damage their gills, according to reef scientists.

A new study by James Cook University researchers simulated the levels of suspended sediment "frequently found" in the reef due to floods, coastal agriculture and industry, and dredging for ports.