Accessing biological resources for biodiscovery purposes

Research activities involving access to biological resources are managed in a manner consistent with Australia’s international obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) manages the environmental impacts of activities that provide access to biological resources. The GBRMPA is not involved in the negotiation of benefit sharing agreements.

This means, before removing resources from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, you should determine whether you require a permit from the GBRMPA to collect biological resources. If you have a permit, you should resolve any benefit sharing agreements with the Australian and/or Queensland Governments.

Permit requirements

Within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, activities that provide access to biological resources are managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983 and associated research policy.

The following decision tree assists you to determine if you need a permit to conduct research that involves access to biological resources in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

For further information about permit requirements within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, contact the Research Permits Assessor on research@gbrmpa.gov.au. Research permits take a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks to process.

For further information about permit requirements under the Queensland Biodiscovery Act 2004, contact the Environmental Protection Agency Ecoaccess Customer Service Unit on 1300 368 326, email: eco.access@epa.qld.gov.au.

Prior to accessing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to collect biological resources, you must have resolved with the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage and/or the Queensland Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation any requirements for a benefit sharing agreement.

biodiscovery_001

Benefit Sharing Agreements

Depending on where you collect within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, benefit sharing agreements may be required with the Australian and/or Queensland Governments.

If you are accessing resources in Commonwealth waters or you are accessing resources on a Commonwealth island, you must negotiate a benefit sharing agreement with the Commonwealth Government.

Contact the Genetic Resources Management Policy Section at the Department of the Environment and Heritage on +61 2 6274 1936 (International) or (02) 6274 1936 (within Australia) or email grm@deh.gov.au.

Accessing resources from Queensland waters, a Queensland coast or a Queensland island requires you to obtain a Collection authority from and to negotiate a benefit sharing agreement with the Queensland Government.

Contact the Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation Principal Policy Officer on +61 7 3228 8711 (International) or (07) 3228 8711 (within Australia).