CRC Reef has a strong interest in working internationally on research problems related to coral reef conservation and sustainable use. Although CRC Reef was established to provide a sound scientific basis for the wise use and protection of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, our scientific projects and expertise have applications world-wide.

The members of CRC Reef have collaborations in many countries, and the laboratories of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), James Cook University (JCU) and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QDPI&F) attract overseas specialists to participate in collaborative projects. CRC Reef supports these international links and encourages cooperation wherever it is possible and practical. CRC Reef researchers have worked in marine environmental projects in Tonga, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Tanzania, Thailand, Philippines and Papua New Guinea.

The CEO of CRC Reef, Professor Russell Reichelt, has assisted in establishing the Arafura and Timor Seas Expert Forum (ATSEF). ATSEF is a cooperative forum that includes Australia, Indonesia, East Timor, and soon, Papua New Guinea. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in August 2003 in Darwin and a 'State of the Seas' conference is in the planning stages. The National Oceans Office has been a the key supporting agency within the Australian Government. This conference will bring together key researchers from all member countries to review the issues affecting the use of living marine resources in the Arafura and Timor Seas.

CRC Reef staff and partners are leaders in reef research and highly experienced members of key international bodies.

Professor Russell Reichelt is Vice-Chair of the Scientific Committee for the Institutional Dimensions of Global Environmental Change project (an International Council of Science Unions project) and Co-Chair of the Arafura and Timor Seas Expert Forum. Professor Reichelt is also Chairman of the National Oceans Advisory Group; the Great Barrier Reef Consultative Committee; the International Scientific Advisory Committee of the Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation; the Torres Strait Fisheries Management Advisory Committee; the Queensland EPA Scientific Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee of the CSIRO Wealth from Oceans Flagship. He is also a member of the Queensland Biotechnology Advisory Council and of Australia’s State of the Environment Committee.

Professor Helene Marsh is chair of the Sirenia specialist group for the International Union of Conservation of Nature and winner of a prestigious Pew Charitable Trust Fellowship for work in marine conservation.

Dr Terry Done is a past President of the International Society for Reef Studies and a member of the International Union of Biological Sciences.