Local marine tourism operators praised for high standards

Thursday 3 November 2005

Seven north Queensland marine tourism operators were last night awarded for high standard practice by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).

The announcement formed part of a gathering of industry leaders and policy makers for the GBRMPA Marine Tourism Leaders Forum in Cairns.

Throughout the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park there are twenty-five certified high standard operators that help protect and present the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to a high standard. High standard operators are independently certified by a recognised accreditation scheme.

The operators who received certificates last night were:

Quicksilver Connections, Cairns and Port Douglas
Fantasea Cruises, Whitsundays
Sunlover Cruises, Cairns
Passions of Paradise, Cairns
Poseidon Outer Reef Cruises, Port Douglas
Undersea Explorer, Port Douglas
Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks, Townsville

GBRMPA Executive Director Andrew Skeat praised the ecologically sustainable work of marine tourism operators.

�We were delighted to formally recognise just some of the marine tourism operators who are committed to best practice and sustainability in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park,� he said.

�The GBRMPA has developed benefits to both reward high standard operators and provide incentives for other operators to improve their performance.

�The major benefit offered by the GBRMPA is an opportunity for an extended permit term of 15 years for tourism program permits.�

The certified high standard operations in the Marine Park range from large-scale pontoon-based experiences to smaller live aboard operations and low-key kayaking adventures.

Tourism operations operating to a high standard in the Marine Park can apply to become certified by contacting Ecotourism Australia.

Operators must demonstrate their operations meet either the Ecotourism or Advanced Ecotourism levels of the EcoCertification Program.