Management of the Great Barrier Reef relies on good knowledge and information. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) uses the best available research, scientific data and information to underpin the management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This information is collected by a large number of experts, researchers and organisations, and covers hundreds of topics from the detailed biology and ecology of particular animals and plants, to the types of interactions and experiences people are having with the Reef, and the economic benefits the Reef brings to our community. 

Find out about issues on the Great Barrier Reef

What do we know about the Great Barrier Reef? What is the potential outlook for the Great Barrier Reef?

Find out about places on the Great Barrier Reef

Where does research occur on the Great Barrier Reef? What spatial information is available?

Major research and information programs 

Find out about major research programs currently being done in the Marine Park.

For researchers

Information for scientists interested in conducting research in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority - Science and Research

The GBRMPA Science Coordination Group links research and information about the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to decision-making processes and policy. This ensures that the GBRMPA’s management is based on the best available scientific information. The GBRMPA also encourages researchers to work on projects that address information needed to manage the Marine Park.

Science and research are constantly revealing new information about the Great Barrier Reef. The GBRMPA works closely with a number of external scientists and research providers to deliver research that helps the role of managing the Marine Park. These research providers include:

• Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility  (managed by the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre)
• Australian Institute of Marine Science
  
• ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
  
• James Cook University
  
• Centre for Marine Studies, at the University of Queensland.

The GBRMPA is also committed to sharing the latest knowledge about the Great Barrier Reef with the community through the Outlook Report, newsletters and information sheets, the Eye on the Reef program, ReefED and public discussions and forums. 

Related information

• Science and information at GBRMPA.