FROM THE CEO'S DESK
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Russell
Reichelt.
Photo by Rob Parsons. |
CRC Reef unsuccessfully bid
for further funding in the 2004 CRC Application Round. While
it was very disappointing to learn the results of our application,
there has been considerable public comment about the valuable
role CRC Reef has played in coordinating and promoting research
and development in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.
The strong show of public support is a credit to the outstanding
research and education results achieved by the participants
in CRC Reef.
The wide range of research conducted by CRC Reef researchers
is evident in the newsletter contents. Fisheries assessment,
Catchment-to-Reef research, links with Traditional Owners,
seabed biodiversity, crown-of-thorns starfish and Irukandji
all feature. They represent work on the highest priority areas
for our members: government reef managers, tourism and fishing
industries and the general community.
The highlights of CRC Reef’s work over the last year
include research into the impacts of terrestrial run-off on
inshore reefs, which contributed significantly to the formulation
of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan - a joint initiative
of the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments which aims
to halt and reverse the decline in water quality entering
the Reef within 10 years. The Catchment-to-Reef Project, a
joint venture with Rainforest CRC, will provide the tools
needed to reach this target.
CRC Reef’s Marine Modelling Unit, based at James Cook
University, is providing vital information on cyclones and
storm surge to both industry and government. They are providing
Woodside Petroleum with crucial wave information to ensure
the safety of offshore oil production platforms in Arafura
and Timor Seas. They are also modelling storm surges in Northern
Territory and in Townsville to provide local councils with
information that could save lives and property during the
cyclone season.
The Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Project is a collaboration
of unprecedented size involving two partners from CRC Reef
(Australian Institute of Marine Science, Queensland Department
of Primary Industries and Fisheries), CSIRO and the Queensland
Museum. These agencies have provided $4 million of resources,
attracting $2 million co-funding from CRC Reef, Fisheries
Research and Development Corporation and National Oceans Office.
This project will help managers to protect the biodiversity
of the seabed and will also help ensure sustainable fisheries
in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Both CRC Reef and CRC Torres Strait are working to enable
better Indigenous involvement in marine resource management.
CRC Reef researchers have developed a framework for co management
of marine resources between Indigenous groups and management
agencies. In Torres Strait, CRC Torres Strait researchers
are assessing cultural value of marine resources and developing
a framework for Indigenous aquaculture.
I hope that I will be able to outline our future directions
in the next newsletter and that this cooperative venture will
be continued in a way that captures the strengths of the current
research and education programs.
Russell Reichelt
Chief Executive Officer
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