INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE PARTNERS

Scientists, managers, business and industry are working together to tackle some of the big issues facing the reef.

"The increasing popularity of the reef has forced an era of cooperation," said Dr Russell Reichelt, the Chief Executive Officer of the Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (CRC Reef).

"New improved technology, such as wave-piercing catamarans, means that more tourists can visit the reef and get there faster than ever before," said Dr Reichelt.

"The CRC Reef is providing strategic scientific information to address the engineering, environmental and social challenges faced by the increasing use of the World Heritage Area," said Dr Reichelt.

The CRC Reef is one of about 70 Cooperative Research Centres across Australia which have initiated and developed a template for brokering scientific capability with industry needs.

Executive Director of the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators, David Windsor, said the system is the best of both worlds.

"As partners in the CRC Reef, we can work together to make sure that tourism operators on the reef are world's best practice," said Mr Windsor.

"The partnership will help to protect the reef for future visitors. And for our children," said Mr Windsor.

About 100 scientists, managers, and business and industry representatives from the CRC Reef are meeting at James Cook University on Thursday 28 September and Friday 29 September.

Attention Editors/Chiefs of Staff: Dr Reichelt and Mr Windsor will be available for comment at 10.20 AM Friday 29 September at the School of Nursing on JCU Campus (map reference building number 25). Dr Reichelt 0419 784 120. For further information ring Media Liaison Robert Dark 0417 623 156.