Tuesday 1 November 2005

Several leading international marine conservation experts are in Townsville this week to share expertise with Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) staff.

The visit follows the first International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC1), which took place last week in Geelong, Victoria.

Two of the experts specifically visiting GBRMPA are:

• Dan Laffoley, the Head of Marine Conservation for English Nature
• Henning Von Nordheim, Head of Marine and Coastal Nature Conservation for the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation.

GBRMPA’s Director for Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships Jon Day said this was a unique opportunity to hear from two experts with vast experience and expertise.

“IMPAC1 was a significant gathering of world leaders in marine management, and this week’s meetings with GBRMPA, AIMS and JCU staff will enhance and expand many themes and issues raised at the conference,” he said.

“The specific aim is sharing expertise and learning more about management and research approaches used in North Queensland.

“We are delighted in the opportunity to further share expertise with these experts first-hand.

“Given GBRMPA’s 30 years experience in managing the world’s biggest marine protected area, they are also very keen to learn what may assist them to protect and sustain the oceans and seas in their regions.”

Mr Day said IMPAC1 generated a considerable amount of interest in GBRMPA’s activities, particularly the re-zoning of the reef.

“GBRMPA staff presented a number of papers at the conference. Given the worldwide awareness of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, there was much interest in our activities and the lessons we’ve learnt,” he said.

“A number of conference delegates were particularly interested in the Representative Areas Programme, with the view to implementing similar marine conservation initiatives in their own region.”

Some 40 delegates, of the 750 international participants from 64 countries who were in Victoria for the IMPAC1 congress, are in North Queensland this week. Most are on a four-day technical tour learning more about the management of the Great Barrier Reef.

Interview/photo opportunities:

GBRMPA’s Jon Day, and Dan Laffoley and Henning Von Nordheim are available at 10.15am – 10.45am today (Wednesday 2 November 2005) at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville. Media enquiries: Lisa Pennisi on (07) 4750 0807 or 0439 754 201.