Local Gordonvale cane farmer Paul Gregory was re-elected chair of the Cairns Local Marine Advisory Committee for the next three year term at the new committee's first meeting last night.

It is one of 12 committees along the coast from Cape York to Bundaberg that provide input to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) on local marine issues.

GBRMPA Chairman Russell Reichelt said committee members would play an essential role in the future management of the Great Barrier Reef.

"We will be looking to these committees for advice on how we achieve a balance between sustainable use and protecting the Reef for the future," he said.

"They will contribute to the strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area that will identify the Reef's values, the threats, and what we need to do to address them."

Mr Gregory, a former Cairns Regional Councillor, welcomed the opportunity for the Cairns region to have a voice on Reef issues.

"I'm confident we will be able to communicate to GBRMPA the range of views held by the Cairns community.

"We have a very strong committee with members with diverse backgrounds and interests. We have experienced members who have returned for another three-year term, and we also have ten new members who will bring fresh perspectives to the table," he said.

Cairns committee members represent a wide range of stakeholders including tourism operators, Traditional Owners, commercial fishers, recreational fishers, farmers, ports and shipping. 

"The meetings are a forum for stakeholders to raise issues and share their views. We learn a lot from other members, as well as from the government agencies which attend the meetings," he said.  

Established in 1999, the committees meet five times a year and undertake regional environmental projects.

Committees operate in the Cape York, Douglas, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook, Townsville, Bowen-Burdekin, Whitsundays, Mackay, Capricorn Coast, Gladstone and Burnett regions.

Earlier this year, there was a call for residents along the coast to nominate for the committees.

Find out more about the Cairns Local Marine Advisory Committee.