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News from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Be a Marine Biologist for a Day
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‘Be a Marine Biologist for a Day’ assist teachers, marine tourism operators and reef guides to promote high quality learning and first hand experiences for students visiting the Great Barrier Reef. The package of educational assets includes; customisable teaching, instructional resources and activities that are curriculum-linked and aligned with specific stages of learning from younger students through to Year 12.
“These students are the next generation of Reef custodians, we hope to increase their understanding of the Reef and inspire a love for
environmental science.” Holly Lambert, Assistant Director – Reef Educations.
The initiative brings together a number of Reef Authority programs including Reef Guardian Schools, High Standard Tourism Operators, Master Reef Guides, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s monitoring program ‘Eye on the Reef’ which contributes to the long-term protection of the Reef.
‘Be a Marine Biologist for a Day’ is made up of three parts;
‘Preparing to find out’ phase – students learn at school about Rapid Monitoring techniques and what species they may discover on the Reef.
The ‘finding out’ phase – students get their heads underwater and participate in citizen science activities.
The ‘Final phase’ – back in the classroom where students make connections and expand their experiences on the Reef and connect it to the world around them.
#See the Reef, Loe the Reef, Protect the Reef
Master Reef Guides
The aim of the Master Reef Guides is to be the world’s leading reef guides and interpreters, sharing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. As Reef ambassadors, they are considered the best in their field to convey up-to-date scientific and management information, reef interpretations, and master story telling and delivery.
Most importantly they can explain what anyone can do to make a difference for the Reef.
Master Reef Guide Natalie Lobartolo believes it’s important to be able to explain to anyone what they can do to make a difference for the Reef.
The Master Reef Guide Program is delivered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators and Tourism and Events Queensland. It is the first of its kind for the Reef, with currently 82 Master Reef Guides located across the Marine Park, from the Ribbon Reefs in the far north to Lady Elliot Island in the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Above: Locations of individual Master Reef guides
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Science and Knowledge Needs for Management
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has a long history of working collaboratively with science and knowledge providers and basing our management on the best available science. Every few years we reflect on our knowledge gaps, in particular following on from our five-yearly Outlook Reports, and identify priority needs.
Our Science and Knowledge Needs for management set out the Authority’s priority information needs. It has a focus on elements that will help improve our management and protection strategies over the long term and spans four key themes:
• What is the condition and trend of key values?
• How can we optimise our management impact?
• How is the Reef used?
• How can we improve our management through innovation and technology?
Obtaining robust information that address priority needs; supports evidence-based reporting, enables ecologically sustainable use, increases capability and effectiveness of our management responses and better protects the Reef for future generations.
The Reef is one of the most well researched and monitored ecosystems in the world. The Authority is focused on brokering the exchange of knowledge between science providers and those that will use and act on the findings – including government, Traditional Owners, industry, or the community. Our preferred approach to harnessing science and knowledge for evidence-based policy, programs and decisions is based on co-design, co-production and the sharing of knowledge.
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