A newly established Indigenous Reef Advisory Committee is meeting for two days in Townsville to offer specialist advice to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) on the development and implementation of the organisation's Reef Rescue Indigenous Land and Sea Country Partnerships Program.

 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, General Manager Peter McGinnity said the committee will provide valuable advice to the GBRMPA on activities the Reef Rescue Indigenous Land and Sea Country Partnership Program should support.

 "The membership of the Indigenous Reef Advisory Committee is made up of leaders in the field of Indigenous partnerships and Sea Country management.

 "The primary aim of the committee is to provide advice to the Authority on the implementation of its program to work with Traditional Owners to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

 "The committee will provide advice on application of world's best practice principles to Sea Country planning and implementation and advise on ways to facilitate partnerships, build capacity and engage with Traditional Owners in the management of marine resources in the Great Barrier Reef.

 Melissa George Chairman of the Indigenous Reef Advisory Committee said the Great Barrier Reef is part of the spiritual and cultural heritage of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 "It is a place of profound cultural importance and our ancestors have looked after for countless generations.

 "With a history spanning over 60 000 years, the Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef maintain strong connections to their Sea Country and partnerships with Traditional Owners are becoming an increasingly important aspect of Marine Park management."

 The aim of the programs will be met through the delivery of two activities:

· The enhancement of the Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements program and Sea Country Management initiatives

· The strengthening of communications and partnerships with Traditional Owners, Indigenous communities, reef stakeholders and communities.

 Work on developing and improving Indigenous Partnerships has increased as part of the Reef Rescue Land and Sea Country Indigenous partnerships program which is being funded through Caring for Our Country.