The effectiveness of existing measures to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem was independently assessed for 12 broad management topics, ranging from biodiversity protection to fishing, coastal development and ports and shipping (figure 6.5).

Management effectiveness challenges are evident for those management topics which are broad in scale and complex socially, biophysically and jurisdictionally (for example climate change, coastal development, water quality and fishing). Effectiveness is strongest on issues that are limited in scale, intensity or complexity (for example defence and scientific research).

The outcomes for each of the six Assessment Criteria examining all of the broad management topics combined are summarised in figure 6.5.

Understanding of context

Understanding of values, threats, national and international influences and stakeholders is strong for all management issues assessed. This reflects a solid information and research base and a very mature understanding of the key values of the Great Barrier Reef in both a national and international context and the actual and potential threats to those values. Understanding of stakeholders is consistently strong across all issues (in fact, it shows the strongest performance across the entire range of assessment criteria).

Planning

Planning performance tends to be strongest where there are few organisations or levels of governance involved in the planning process. There are well developed planning systems in place for all issues except for coastal development where the fractured nature of the planning regime causes problems. Lack of consistency across jurisdictions is the weakest aspect of planning.

Financial, staffing and information inputs

Adequacy of inputs is quite variable across the management issues, being particularly strong for defence, climate change and research and weak for coastal development. Adequacy of socioeconomic and access to relevant Traditional Owner knowledge is a problem for most issues and one of the worst performing criteria across the whole assessment.

Management systems and processes

Management processes are particularly strong for defence, tourism and research and weakest for coastal development and water quality. Performance monitoring, addressing cumulative impacts and application of socio-economic and Traditional Owner knowledge are a problem for most issues. The extent to which cumulative impacts are being addressed is the weakest indicator across the entire assessment. Stakeholder engagement and application of biophysical information are amongst the strongest aspects of management across all issues.

Delivery of outputs

Delivery of desired outputs is weakest for coastal development and water quality and strongest in relation to defence, tourism and research. The knowledge base of the management agencies and community has consistently improved. While the majority of management programs are progressing satisfactorily (with the exception of coastal management and water quality), timeframes frequently slip and it is not yet clear that the programs are achieving all their desired objectives.

Achievement of outcomes

Achievement of desired outcomes (values protected, threats reduced, long-term environmental and economic sustainability) is very variable across issues. Objectives in relation to community understanding of issues and development of effective partnerships are being achieved. Overall, greatest concern in relation to achievement of desired outcomes relates to climate change.

• Independent assessment of management effectiveness 

• The Great Barrier Reef is regarded as the best managed coral reef system in the world