Marine managers and Queensland seafood industry team up on climate change

Queensland marine managers and the Queensland seafood industry have joined forces to help ensure commercial fishing on the Great Barrier Reef is sustainable in the face of threats like climate change.

The partnership between the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) will be officially launched in Townsville (on Friday 14 August 2009).

Together, the organisations will work on a number of projects that will be economically beneficial for industry and good for the environment.

To assist with kick-starting the partnership, the GBRMPA is providing financial support to assist in the appointment of new climate change and industry liaison officer Eric Perez who will work with industry to develop and implement these projects.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Chairman Russell Reichelt said this was the first time the organisations had formally worked together in this way and it was an important step forward.

"We're delighted to work with the Queensland Seafood Industry Association to help ensure the industry is well-placed to cope with the impacts of climate change," he said.

"We recognise that this industry depends on the Reef for their livelihoods and, for this reason, are concerned about the future of the Reef.

"Commercial fishers and seafood marketers are interested in the long-term health of the Reef and we are keen to work with them to ensure their industry remains sustainable."

New industry liaison officer Eric Perez will work on several projects including a fishing industry emissions calculator that will help commercial operators monitor and reduce their carbon emissions.

He will also work with the GBRMPA, Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries and James Cook University on research into how cyclone Hamish impacted on reefs in the southern Great Barrier Reef and the fishers who rely on the Reef.

QSIA President Michael Gardner said the industry body was actively engaged in working with GBRMPA to develop scientific projects that will assist and provide both environmental and business benefits.

"It's important for us to work with marine managers to future-proof the industry by introducing projects that are beneficial for both businesses and the environment," he said.

"A healthy Reef with good water quality and plenty of marine life means there is a healthy fishing industry.

"To ensure industry is well-placed to cope with economic and environmental changes that may impact on the industry, we're looking at a number of projects that put the commercial fishing industry on the front foot.

"This way they can be the leaders of change with capacity to predict and shape their business rather than simply having to respond to these impacts."