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Protecting Representative Areas of Biodiversity in the Biggest Coral Reef Ecosystem in the World

Leanne Fernandes, Jon Day, A Lewis, S Slegers, D Lowe and Trevor Ward

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA

Theme: TH2

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) is bigger than the UK, Holland and Switzerland combined. Besides coral reefs, this ecosystem contains a huge diversity of seabed communities from sponge gardens to seagrass beds to muddy and sandy sediment habitats. Current zoning does not adequately protect this range of biodiversity. The aim of the Representative Areas Program (RAP) at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is to enhance the level of protection of the region's biodiversity. The outcome will be a comprehensive and adequate network of “no-take” areas which represent the diversity of habitats and communities within the GBRMP. The RAP is being implemented in several phases: classification - 70 bioregions were mapped in the GBRMP; review - with the existing zoning, 14 bioregions contained zero no-take areas; identification - identify networks of potential no-take areas which will achieve the biological objectives of RAP; first formal Community Participation - gather input on social, economic and cultural uses and values; selection - select from amongst the options of candidate areas considering social, economic and cultural implications; second formal Community Participation - present a draft zoning plan for comment; seek Ministerial and Parliamentary approval - present recommended final zoning plan which has taken account of community input. The focus of this contribution is the lessons learned in the identification phase and in the first formal Community Participation phase. The most up-to-date report will be provided on the status of the program as at August 2002.