28 May 2010

A landmark meeting of more than 70 Traditional Owners from the Great Barrier Reef region begins in Cairns today  (Friday 28 May 2010).

Coordinated by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the two and a half day Sea Country Partnerships Forum will discuss the future of the Great Barrier Reef.

Queensland Senator Jan McLucas officially opens the forum that brings together Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owners to discuss the sustainable use and future protection of the Reef.

"This is a landmark event demonstrating the importance of marine managers and Traditional Owners working together to ensure the protection of Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef," Senator McLucas said.

"The close connection with the Great Barrier Reef region makes Traditional Owners important stakeholders in the protection and management of the area."

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority General Manager Peter McGinnity said the gathering was a great collective opportunity to discuss sea country management.

"We're delighted to meet with such a large group of Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owners to discuss how we can work together to protect the Reef for the future," he said.

"The forum provides an opportunity for Traditional Owners to hear from marine managers on the current health of the Reef, best practice sea country management, and how they can be involved on the ground.

"Importantly, it also provides an opportunity for Traditional Owners to share their own experiences about what's happening in the Marine Park and provide feedback to marine managers."

The forum is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's implementation of the Caring for Our Country Reef Rescue Indigenous Land and Sea Country Partnerships Program.

The program aims to strengthen communication between local communities, managers and reef stakeholders and build a better understanding of Traditional Owner issues about the management of the Marine Park.

It also aims to foster the expansion of the Traditional Use of Marine Resources Program across the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

The program is part of the Australian Government's $10 million commitment over five years towards Caring for our Country.