Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
Senator The Hon Nita Green, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Assistant Minister for Tourism, Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
Tourism operators helping to protect the Great Barrier Reef have recorded the first ever coral and fish biodiversity assessments at 26 high-value sites across the 2,300km-long natural wonder.
Latest figures released today show the success of the Albanese Government's Tourism Reef Protection Initiative (TRPI), a reef protection program that turns tourism vessels into science platforms and staff into trained citizen scientists.
New data reveals 220 tourism staff through the TRPI have completed a mammoth 24,781 Reef health monitoring surveys since the program started in December 2022.
TRPI's 23 operators have taken and analysed 124,810 images; removed 367,557 Drupella snails and 5,040 crown-of-thorns starfish; and led 115 school excursions for 1,592 students.
The Albanese Government is investing an additional $5 million in TRPI to continue vital stewardship and monitoring work.
TRPI supports operators to implement Site Stewardship Plans at high-value tourism sites across the Marine Park.
Through the program, operators conduct regular Reef health surveys, water-quality sampling, coral and fish diversity assessments, and coral predator control. Data collected feeds directly into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's management.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt:
"Tourism operators are central to protecting the Great Barrier Reef and educating millions of visitors.
"The Albanese Government's additional $5 million investment is ensuring tourism operators can continue their hands-on work caring for the Reef's most iconic sites.
"These operators are showing how science, industry and community can work together to understand change and protect the Reef for generations to come."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Tourism, Senator Nita Green:
"These tourism operators are in the water every day, so are well placed to play this important monitoring and protection role.
"Our government's investment in the program has produced excellent results to date, so I am pleased that work is continuing across the Marine Park.
"The Albanese Government continues to deliver record investments in Reef protection, working in partnership with the Tourism industry, because we know when you protect the Reef, you protect jobs."
Quotes attributable to TRPI operator Paul Crocombe, owner of Adrenalin Dive:
Townsville-based operator Paul Crocombe said the TRPI had strengthened the link between the tourism and science communities.
"We're out on the water every day and see firsthand how the Reef is changing. The TRPI program gives us the tools and training to collect meaningful data, assist researchers, and take action where it's needed most.
"The extra funding means we can keep that momentum going - keeping local crews employed, protecting high-value dive sites, and showing visitors from around the world how tourism can directly contribute to Reef conservation."
Fast facts:
Since December 2022, 220 tourism staff through the TRPI have completed 24,781 Reef health monitoring surveys:
- taken and analysed 124,810 benthic images
- conducted 3,765 days of coral predator control, removing
- 367,557 Drupella snails and
- 5,040 crown-of-thorns starfish
- recorded the first ever biodiversity assessments at 26 tourism sites along the Reef
- facilitated 425 On Country visits for Traditional Owners
- led 115 school excursions for 1,592 students
Background:
- Tourism Reef Protection Initiative (TRPI) established in 2022
- 23 participating operators across the Great Barrier Reef
- Site Stewardship Plans implemented at 26 tourism sites
- Operators contribute to Eye on the Reef monitoring, coral research and predator control
For stills and vision, see here: https://brandfolder.com/s/ffwrpn3k492p6w6mhjgqhwb7
