The Great Barrier Reef Joint Field Management Program (RJFMP) helps look after the Great Barrier Reef.
The Australian and Queensland governments run the program together. They work on the Reef and its islands to keep them healthy and protected.
What Rangers Do
Rangers help care for the Reef every day. They:
- protect animals, plants and habitats
- help visitors use the Reef safely
- respond to incidents
- enforce park rules
- maintain equipment and facilities
- support conservation projects
- work with Traditional Owners.
Rangers work across a very large area, including remote islands and reefs.
Helping the Reef
The program helps by:
- making sure people follow the rules
- protecting important habitats
- improving the health of reefs and islands
- building stronger partnerships with Traditional Owners.
This work helps the Reef face challenges such as climate change, storms and increasing visitor numbers.
Restoring the Reef
The program supports projects that help damaged areas recover.
Reef Islands
The Restoration of Reef Islands Project:
- helps stop erosion
- plants native vegetation
- protects turtle and seabird nesting areas.
Coral Reefs
The program also supports Reef Stars (MARRS).
These structures are placed on damaged reefs to help corals grow back.
Program Results
The program:
- delivered 1,109 days of compliance patrols by vessel, aircraft and on land
- trained 38 Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers from five groups
- surveyed 281 reefs to check coral bleaching impacts
- managed risks from 50 maritime incidents
- added 434 hectares of protected area, bringing the total to 2,026 hectares across 25 national parks
- spoke with 5,803 Reef users during patrols
- completed more than 1,000 in-water surveys across 94 reefs
- carried out 2,000 Reef Health Impact Surveys across 206 reefs.
Looking Ahead
The RJFMP helps protect the Great Barrier Reef for the future. Through ranger patrols, restoration projects and partnerships with Traditional Owners, the program supports a healthy and resilient Reef.
