Management and legislature

The GBR is the largest reef in the world both according to area and length (348,000 km² and 2,500 km, respectively).²⁵⁹ In recognition of the value of its resources and the need to preserve them, the Australian government implemented a wide range of plans, policies, regulations and legislation intended to sustain, protect and manage the Reef.

The first legislation relating to the preservation of the GBR was officially enacted in 1975 under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act (‘Act) resulting in the establishment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (‘Authority’) to act as the primary regulator of the Act’s objectives and mission. The dominant focus of the Act is to ensure long-term protection and conservation of the coastal area, calling for an ‘ecologically sustainable use of the GBR Region’ for such purposes like (i) public enjoyment and appreciation; (ii) public education about and understanding of the Region; (iii) recreational, economic and cultural activities; as well as (iv) research in relation to the natural, social, economic and cultural systems and value of the GBR Region.²⁶⁰ The Australian government’s long-term plan attempts to address the issue of balancing environmental protection with the realities of human activity from the onset. Subsequent management policies set forth by the Authority have henceforth sought to act in a way that is consistent with the objectives of the 1975 Act.

The Act is Australian Commonwealth legislation and provides for a substantial engagement of the Queensland Government in its management. This intergovernmental agreement was initially formalized by the Emerald Agreement signed in 1979, and reaffirmed in the Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement signed in 2009.²⁶¹ It is funded 50-50 by the Commonwealth and Queensland, with quotidian management conducted by agencies of the latter.²⁶² Indeed, since its inception, a close working relationship has developed between the two, resulting in joint management and communications on various issues within the protected coastal areas. This show of initiative and collaboration on both a national and local scale went a long way towards

259 Amanda Briney, 2017. ‘The World’s Largest Coral Reefs,’ ThoughtCo. Accessed 5 March 2017.

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-worlds-largest-coral-reefs-1435124

260 ‘Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.’ Accessed 14 January 2017.

https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2015C00168

261 “Great Barrier Reef Region Strategic Assessment: Program report.” Accessed 12 January 2017.

http://hdl.handle.net/11017/2860

262 Kenchington 2012:104.

ensuring an accountable, responsible strategy for the long-term protection and conservation of the environment and biodiversity of the GBR ecosystem “in good condition to future generations.”²⁶³

From the onset, the development of a credible, adaptive process of public engagement was a crucial component of the GBR marine park. Other stakeholders, including organizations, industry groups, community groups, schools, and individuals all directly contribute to the protection and management of the GBR. Beyond local input and participation, the Authority further obtains advice from 12 Local Marine Advisory Committees and issues-based Reef Advisory Committees, as well as from a range of consultation and engagement mechanisms such as fisheries Management Advisory Committees and the State-wide Tourism Industry Forum.²⁶⁴

Indeed, in terms of implementation, the Authority shows that in order to meet the dynamic and complex nature of the GBR, as well as the pace of change in factors affecting it, it is crucial to practice an ongoing flexible and adaptive approach in its management. As such, a thorough monitoring and reporting program is in place in order to keep the Authority up to date on changing circumstances, permitting it to respond quickly and in an informed manner. The operational structure of the Authority has led to the emergence of various key areas of management focus (as of 2014, 14 broad management topics), each involving different social and regulatory governance contexts. There also currently exist a wide range of management tools employed to protect and manage the GBR, from legislation, permits and licenses, zoning plans, to site management, policy, research, partnerships, as well as education and community awareness.²⁶⁵ As can be observed, the implementation of the Act reflects an ongoing cycle of adaptive, collaborative management reviewed in the light of local, national, and international data, with a complex, thorough framework for assessing management effectiveness of protected areas conducted by independent assessors [Figure 10].

263 “Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.” Accessed 14 January 2017.

264 Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2014, 2014, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority:

Townsville, Australia, p. 197. Accessed 20 June 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11017/2855

265 Ibid.

Figure 10: Framework for assessing management effectiveness of protected areas: management cycle in which management is continuously evaluated and refined.

The Authority continues to be a prominent example of the development of an adaptive system of science-based coastal management. Publications such as the five-yearly GBR Outlook Report and consistent, comprehensive strategic assessments for the GBR have amalgamated knowledge relevant to the Region and made it more widely available (i.e. public access online). Relevant data make it possible to address deficiencies in management approaches and set the basis for re-evaluation. What is more, continuous scientific research, consistent monitoring, and adaptive learning have permitted the identification of key knowledge gaps, stimulating programs and projects to fill them. Finally, the development of an integrated monitoring framework, such as the Eye on the Reef program, consolidates monitoring and reporting by various stakeholders (managing authorities, Reef users, local communities), adding to the large set of data across a wide geographic area and facilitating communication between these actors.²⁶⁶ Reporting and evaluation also impacts funding schemes and plans; the Authority is funded primarily through government appropriations, determined through annual budgeting and forward estimates cycle. ²⁶⁷ The Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan will see the Australian and Queensland governments invest more than two billion Australian dollars over the coming decade; this includes circa $250 million for water quality improvement.²⁶⁸ Engagement with a wide range of

266 Ibid, p. 215.

267 Ibid.

268 ‘What is Australia doing to manage the Great Barrier Reef.’ June 2015. Accessed 27 December 2016. www.environment.gov.au/gbr

stakeholders also opens up the possibility for other financial sources, including funds from the operation of the Reef HQ Aquarium, research programs, and donations from private sources and philanthropic investment.

The GBR and its resources have and continue to be used for a variety of purposes. In order to provide protection and enforce sustainable usage, the Region has been managed as a multiple-use marine protected area (MPA). The MPAs cover 31,650 km² out of 42,310 km² of the total reef area;²⁶⁹ its management takes into consideration the environmental, economic, and social aspects of the Region in order to achieve the best outcomes for all stakeholders involved. Continuous connections and communication efforts with local communities are also crucial managerial strategies to ensuring the interests of all stakeholders align. Through numerous agreements between the government and local groups, the local indigenous communities are key actors in the day-to-day as well as future commitments to the GBR.