Terms of Reference

The Ecosystem Reef Advisory Committee (ERAC) has the following Terms of Reference:

1. To provide advice to the Authority on matters relating to:
   • The implementation of the key findings of the Outlook Report 2009.
   • Maintaining healthy biodiversity and ecological processes.
   • Ensuring extractive use of the Great Barrier Reef is ecologically sustainable.
   • Ensuring heritage values are maintained and heritage obligations are fulfilled.
2. Further to the above, to provide advice to the Authority on matters relating to any of its objectives, including:
   • Policy development and implementation (including priorities for policy development).
   • Priorities for research and monitoring to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem and the industries that rely on that ecosystem by ensuring ecologically sustainable use of marine resources and the application of ecosystem-based management.
   • Practical and policy responses to the implications of climate change for the GBRMPA's responsibilities relating to ecosystem conservation and sustainable use within the scope of the GBR Climate Change Action Plan.
   • Plans and planning documents developed and/or implemented by the Authority including overarching strategies, plans of management, zoning plans and recovery plans.
   • Communication strategies and liaison activities, including effective interaction with Indigenous peoples, stakeholders, community groups and other agencies, bringing forward issues and communicating GBRMPA policy decisions to those groups/organisations.
   • Ensuring heritage values are maintained and heritage obligations are fulfilled.
3. Interact with other Reef Advisory Committees on matters of joint interest towards achieving the GBRMPA’s Corporate objectives.
4. As necessary for the purposes of carrying out the function of providing advice, to undertake specific tasks/projects such as participating in workshops or other means to progress specific issues or projects.
5. To make available, for broad distribution, information about and a record of the ERAC’s activities and outcomes.

Who’s on the Committee

The ERAC is a competency-based committee with members providing a cross-section of stakeholder expertise and interests in areas relevant to the ecologically sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef. There is an independent Chairman. The Committee is appointed for a three-year period. The Committee is supported by the GBRMPA's General Manager, Environment and Sustainability and Director, Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Use (and any other relevant Director), who attend each meeting.