The efforts of Reef Guardian fishers, farmers, graziers, schools and councils to help create a better future for the Great Barrier Reef are celebrated in an advertising program airing throughout the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is running a suite of television advertisements to raise awareness about threats to the Reef's outlook and the value of the community and industry pulling together to make it stronger and healthier.

Participants in GBRMPA's Reef Guardian program feature in the advertisements, telling their own stories of why the Reef is important to them, and why they're passionate about helping to keep it healthy.

GBRMPA Chairman Russell Reichelt said that as the pressures on the Reef mounted it was more important than ever to encourage and celebrate the efforts to care for it.

"The Reef Guardians are an inspiration to the community," Dr Reichelt said. "They show us what can be done to make a real difference to the health and resilience of the Reef.

"Initiatives include rehabilitating wetlands, using the right boat refuelling practices and fishing hooks, improving farming and grazing practices to reduce run-off, and improved Council planning.

"In the 2012-13 Budget, the Australian Government committed to expanding the Reef Guardian Fisher, Farmer and Grazier programs that were launched last year and continuing to support Reef Guardian Schools and Councils."  

"As the Reef Guardian Program celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, it now involves more 100,000 school students, every council in the Region and a growing number of fishers, farmers and graziers. The response from these industries has been fantastic."  

Dr Reichelt said the Reef Guardians are joined by many others in the region who are also committed to the Reef's health, including High Standard Tourism Operators, Traditional Owners, researchers, conservation volunteers and others.

The 2012 Reef Guardian television advertisements will run in the Great Barrier Reef Region during May and June.

The advertisements were filmed on location in the catchment including Cairns, Innisfail, Mackay, Townsville, Gladstone, Charters Towers, and the Burdekin.

Community members who are interested in getting involved to help protect the Great Barrier Reef can visit www.gbrmpa.gov.au/getinvolved.