20 February 2008

Decades of memories dating back to the beginning of last century were unfurled and shared last night at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef Recollections community workshop held at Gladstone State High School.

Karen Vohland, Communication and Education Director for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority  and  Gladstone Local Marine Advisory Committee participant, said that the information revealed at the meeting was invaluable and important for painting a historical picture of what things used to be like in the Gladstone area and on that part of the Great Barrier Reef.

“The Reef Recollections event was a wonderful opportunity to bring a diverse group of community members together," she said.

"There were commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, young people, older people, teachers, charter boat operators, hospitality workers and even local scientists.

“The information shared at the meeting was as diverse as the participants who attended.

“We heard people talk of their memories dating as far back as the early 1930s and stories of fishing from the wharves which were often lined with people and covered with fish from the days fishing efforts.

"We heard stories about mud crabs in unprecedented numbers, extending as far as the eye could see drifting out of local mangroves.

“Many also commented on how some things had dramatically changed - people's approaches to fishing and the techniques they use, how different Heron Island looks and how colourful the coral used to be.

“The event was the perfect forum to learn about the history of the region from locals by listening to both their first hand accounts as well as stories that had been passed on to them from their parents."

One resounding reflection from the participants was the recognition that the Great Barrier Reef is a beautiful resource that needs to be protected for the enjoyment of future generations.