Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
Matt Smith MP, Member for Leichhardt
The Albanese Government is investing $4.3 million in citizen science projects led by the community to help the Great Barrier Reef thrive.
The Great Barrier Reef Citizen Science Program will fund four initiatives that drive the collection of data to enhance our understanding of the Reef's health.
The program will tap into local knowledge of Reef communities, Traditional Owners and other partners to help protect and manage the World Heritage-listed site.
The funding will also bolster citizen scientists' efforts to generate meaningful data that will help inform future decision-making to address key threats for the Reef.
Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef received almost $2 million to upscale the Great Reef Census, engaging tens of thousands of volunteers to improve the usefulness and accessibility of Reef data.
More than $980,000 was provided to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to launch a fish eDNA citizen science monitoring method for Reef waterways to collect valuable data to help protect fish biodiversity and coastal habitats.
Magnetic Island Community Development Association was given more than $1 million to drive grassroots citizen science, comprising of coral and fish identification, drone mapping, and water quality sampling in partnership with Traditional Owners and tourism operators to inform reef management at Yunbenun-Magnetic Island, Townsville.
And in celebrating 60 Years of Reef Citizen Science, Reef Ecologic Pty Limited received more than $210,000 to collect data on Ellison Reef, which will be compared to a 1967 survey to share knowledge and empower communities to lead, survey, monitor and evaluate changes on the Reef.
The program will run from 2024-25 to 2029-30. It is funded through the Australian Government's Reef Trust and will contribute to the Reef 2050 plan priorities.
It is also part of the Albanese Government's record $1.2 billion investment to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:
"The Albanese Government is committed to sharing knowledge and learning from others when it comes to protecting the Reef.
"More than $4.3 million will support citizen scientists take action and support vital Reef research, monitoring, and protection activities.
"Managing and protecting the largest coral reef system on the planet requires strong collaboration and that's why we are backing in local communities, Traditional Owners, and other partners across the region.
"Protecting the Reef through initiatives such as the Citizen Science Program ensures future generations can experience its beauty and benefit from the important ecological services it provides."
Quotes attributable to Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith MP:
"Programs such as these where usable data is collected as a means for further protecting the reef, are essential to its health and protecting the biodiversity of one of the world's natural wonders.
"These initiatives help multiple generations and cultural groups to invest in the future in their own backyard."
