The Great Barrier Reef is important to many coastal communities that depend on the reef for recreation and their livelihoods.The Great Barrier Reef also supports a range of industries and creates jobs for Queenslanders.

The Marine Park is visited and used by residents living within the Great Barrier Reef catchment every year, in addition to other visitors, for recreation purposes.

Communities contribute to reef protection and management in a number of ways, including:

• Participating in Local Marine Advisory Committees
• Providing feedback through consultation processes
• Reporting incidents that occur out on the water
  
• Submitting feedback through our Sightings Network
• Following responsible reef practices out on the water

Sharing Reef stories

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is undertaking a strategic assessment in conjunction with the Queensland Government to identify the biodiversity, heritage and community values of the Reef, the threats to those values and what we need to do to address them. As part of this process the Authority has been speaking with key stakeholders to get their feedback and input.

 

Community interviews

Listen to some reef stakeholders share their views on why the Reef is special, what the threats are, and what we can do to protect it. Share your reef story by posting to our Facebook page.

	Barry Holden CEO Port of Townsville Ltd		Margaret Stevenson Commercial Fishing
	Sue Sargent Marine Biologist		Cheryl Grant Traditional Owner
	Phil Wallis Traditional Owner		Joanne Schmider Traditional Owner
	Russel Bowman Cooktown Fishing Representative		Tony Fontes Dive Instructor