Chairman's Report

The CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd's third year of operation has been an important one in the development of our goals.

Major research projects are being completed, such as our study of comparative shipping risks along the inner and outer routes of the Great Barrier Reef, and are being used for better science-based decision making by Reef management agencies and industry groups alike.

While first results from a Centre study seemed to indicate that divers carrying cameras are most likely to inadvertently damage corals, further investigation showed that diver gender is a more important factor (see page 17). Photo: Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

A number of Centre reports, with recommendations for change and improved sustainable use of the Reef's rich natural resources, have been acted upon by various management and user groups. This is a major goal for any Cooperative Research Centre and it's pleasing to see the extent to which government managers, policy makers and private industry leaders are responding positively to the Centre's research findings and recommendations.

Considerable effort goes into publishing and distributing reports, communicating progress and results, transferring scientific data and information, and presenting the implications of our research programs to stakeholders at every opportunity.

This year, particular achievements using the Centre's science to shape new policies have included:

A Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Shipping Study which provided the basis for the Federal Department of Transport's decision to move the current concentrations of bulk shipping away from the inner route.

Studies to measure the effect of scuba divers and underwater amateur photographers on corals has found only minor, localised impact at popular dive sites. With increasing numbers of divers visiting the Reef - currently estimates are one million dives made in the region each year - we now believe the industry can sustain further growth with the right match of diver management and improved buoyancy control.

Studies of commercial Reef fisheries data and a review of recreational line fishing are now being used by the Queensland Fish Management Authority to assist in developing Reef fish management plans.

Just as we are seeing changes and improvements to public policy and industry practices, we are seeing changes to the Centre's research, training and communication programs as they adapt to different needs.

Several new research projects were initiated during the year, including a study into the impact of visitors on seabirds, strategies to reduce dugong deaths from gill-netting, measurement of coastal sediment patterns using mercury and heavy metal tracers, a long-term sea temperature monitoring program and an investigation into methods for allocation of sites for installing commercial moorings. These projects, developed to help meet pressing management needs of our partner organisations, demonstrate the dynamic nature of the Centre's programs. They also show how Australia leads the world in integrating tropical marine science, innovative marine protected area management and coastal zone conservation.

Priority setting is a central issue in our research management - working out how best to support new issues and how to wind others back against our capacity to deliver results - and a team of Reef managers, scientists and tourism operators continually reviews our progress.

Making research results useful in supporting sustainable economic and social development for the Great Barrier Reef is critical for our success. Transferring results to stakeholders through interactive communication, using meetings, publications, the media, conferences, workshops, displays and newsletters are means we have to help achieve this goal. There has been a marked improvement in communication between different stakeholder groups over recent years, much to the credit of this Centre and its partners, and, while there is always room for improvement, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have helped build stronger bridges between marine science and our community. In particular, I would like to offer special thanks to Professor Chris Crossland and his professional and dedicated team.

Sir Sydney Williams
Chairman

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