Question by Meadow F: Why is climate change science chief against marine nature reserve?
From The Times (London):

—————————————–
“A company belonging to the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser is opposing plans to create the world’s biggest marine reserve. His company holds a government contract to manage fishing in the area, which would be banned if the reserve were created.

The Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG) Ltd was established by Professor Beddington, a renowned expert on marine fisheries, in 1986.

In 1991 a 200-mile exclusion zone was declared around the Chagos Islands and MRAG won the contract to manage the fishing. The following year Professor Beddington became special adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the fisheries around Chagos. Although the management contract must be put out for tender every five years, MRAG has always won it. Neither MRAG nor the Foreign Office will confirm its value, but MacAlister Elliott, a company that tendered for the work in 2005, put in a bid of £1.4 million for three years.

Willie Mackenzie, an ocean campaigner for Greenpeace, said: “Scientists tell us that marine reserves are crucial to protect marine life. Unfortunately it seems that a company owned by the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser didn’t get the memo.”
—————————————-

What’s really strange is that coral reefs are supposed to be especially at risk from climate change, so why is the UK government’s climate science tsar and chief scientific advisor opposing the establishment of the world’s largest marine reserve? Is it because he owns a company that does very nicely from government licences to fish there for endangered tuna and other fish?

And what does this say about ethical conflicts in those who advise governments on science whilst having business interests in the same area?

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6997414.ece
.

Best answer:

Answer by Peter J
Could be, or it could be that if what they predict comes to pass, the coral reefs will thrive, inspite of their predictions they’ll die.

Add your own answer in the comments!