Conduct for CRC Reef Researchers

CRC Reef research tasks involve collaboration between scientists, reef-based industries, and managers of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The success of these tasks depends on the continued goodwill and trust of all of the parties involved. While working in a CRC Reef research team, you are representing at least one of the participatory research organisations (JCU, AIMS, GBRMPA or QDPI) and therefore, have an obligation to conduct yourself in a manner that is responsible and consistent with the cooperative nature of this research. By not doing so, you may put at risk many of the research programs.

Principal researchers for each task are responsible for ensuring that staff under their supervision behave in a professional manner. Make sure that you consult them first, if you are unsure about what rules, regulations, protocols, procedures and by-laws you must adhere to. If you are still unsure, the wisest course of action is to adopt the precautionary principle and don't do it.

Professional Conduct

Observe the regulations that apply to the marine park zone in which the research is being done.
Unless it is specifically included as part of the research task (and specified in a research permit held by the principal researcher), activities such as fishing, spearfishing or the collection of any living or dead material are prohibited.
Observe any requirements or conditions of the research permit.
Comply with any restrictions or rules that the industry places on its staff or the research team.

Work Safety

If you are involved in research that requires you to SCUBA dive, you must have a recent medical certificate, be registered with an appropriate dive officer (eg James Cook University Divers Register) and work in accordance with Australian Standards AS 2299-1992.
Any equipment you use should be handled and applied safely so that you don't endanger your own health, the health of others or that of the equipment.
You should behave in a safe and professional manner at all times.

Public Appearance

Your clothing should be appropriate to the situation. This does not mean that you have to wear your "Sunday best" while dissecting fish guts, but that your attire is commensurate with the type of work you will be doing and the expected level of contact with the public. Clothing with rude or suggestive words, slogans or logos, for example, is not acceptable.
Similarly, you should make an effort to use language that is suitable for use in a service industry. It should not include obscenities, innuendo, be excessively loud or be disrespectful of the industry hosting the research.

November 2000