Tourism Partnerships Supporting Conservation. Presented by Karen Vohland, Director, Tourism and Stewardship Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

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1 Tourism Partnerships Supporting Conservation Presented by Karen Vohland, Director, Tourism and Stewardship Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

2 The Great Barrier Reef is an amazing place

3 and its worth looking after! Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority: Long-term protection and conservation of the environment, biodiversity and heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef Region An adequate protection and management system to safeguard its Outstanding Universal Value Management approach seeks to maintain the area s natural and cultural integrity while allowing sustainable use

4 Great Barrier Reef tourism Offers a range of fabulous nature-based experiences About 1.9 million visits a year to seven per cent of the Reef Contributes about $5.2 billion to national economy Employs about 64,000 full time positions.

5 Tourism partnerships Key partners in the reefs protection and management based around the cornerstone of a healthy relationship Presenting the attributes of the Marine Park and educating visitors with regard to its Outstanding Universal Value Collecting environmental management charges from tourists on behalf of the Authority Participation in the Authority s Tourism Reef Advisory Committee Participating in High Standard Tourism program Participating in Climate action Assisting in the management of Crown-of-thorns starfish Supporting the Eye on the Reef program

6 High standard tourism partnership Certified tourism operators Marine Tourism Operators The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Great Barrier Reef Marine This will be a graphic of Park Authority relationship Protecting the Great Protecting Barrier the Reef Great through Barrier Reef high through standards high standards Ecotourism Australia Ecotourism Australia independent certification scheme

7 What are high standards? Protection - Environmental planning - Minimal impact activities - Climate change action Presentation - Accurate information - Education - Effective delivery - Client services Partnerships - Train staff - Deliver conservation initiatives - Support communities - Respect culture

8 Tourism operators leading the way Taking action on climate action High standard operators taking climate action as part of their Eco Certification process Measuring their footprint with the online Tourism Operators Emissions Calculator Response plans to climate change Great Barrier Reef Marine Tourism Climate Change Action Strategy Marine Tourism Coordination Framework for Environmental Incidents Marine Tourism Contingency Plan

9 Climate action I believe that environmental investment through sustainable forestry and carbon offsetting is the smart way forward which will also benefit our children s future. Steve Edmondson, Low Isles Sailaway

10 Managing crown-of-thorns starfish Native animal Eat coral Prefer plate and branching corals In natural numbers they don t harm ecosystem Too many (>15/ha) can harm coral = outbreak Enormous reproductive potential

11 Managing crown-of-thorns starfish Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators Two dedicated control vessels 50 voyages every year Up to 24 crew 300,000 starfish culled Total reef protected 3,400ha $9.55million (since 2012) Assisted by other marine operators through 27 COTS control permits New one-shot injection launched

12 The Eye on the Reef Integrated Monitoring Program - partnership with GBRMPA s Field Management Program (rangers), tourism operators and the community. Focus on Tourism 84 tourism operators and over 150 staff have been involved Over 500 in water hours a year dedicated to monitoring some 75 sites along the Great Barrier Reef Combined they have provided 6900 surveys Sighting observations

13 Smart Phone App itunes, Google Play (android and iphone)

14 Sightings and Experiences Sightings received since 2007

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17 c/o Spirit of Freedom

18 Great Barrier Reef tourism operators working in partnership for a healthy Great Barrier Reef for future generations

19 Karen Vohland, Director, Tourism and Stewardship Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Phone karen.vohland@gbrmpa.gov.au Address 2-68 Flinders St (PO Box 1379) Townsville QLD 4810