22/03/2006 - Traditional knowledge
and the latest scientific research are joining forces
to monitor the impacts of coral bleaching on one
of Australia's icons, the Great Barrier Reef.
Four Indigenous trainees are spending the next couple
of months working alongside Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority (GBRMPA) research scientists aboard
the Pelican 1, a 63ft sailing catamaran designed
for marine research, environmental, social, and
educational projects.
The project, which supports on-going reef monitoring
work undertaken by GBRMPA, has been made possible
with more than $85,000 funding from the Australian
Government's Natural Heritage Trust.
Details were announced today by the Minister for
the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell,
the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
Peter McGauran, and the Minister for Families, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough MP.
"This innovative project gives the Indigenous
communities in the Great Barrier Reef region the
opportunity to use their traditional knowledge of
their sea country and to share it with scientists,"
Senator Campbell said.
"It will expose Indigenous people to the latest
scientific research and help them develop greater
strengths in managing their natural resources, especially
in coming to grips with new threats like coral bleaching."
Mr McGauran said the boat would become a virtual
classroom.
"Indigenous and non-Indigenous students will
be able to communicate with the trainees and scientists
via the internet while they are undertaking their
monitoring work," Mr McGauran said.
Mr Brough said the project was part of a pilot Shared
Responsibility Agreement being developed between
the Indigenous community and the Australian Government.
Four trainees have been selected from communities
within the Great Barrier Reef region. As part of
their monitoring work, they will be diving, taking
underwater photographs, recording results, using
and maintaining scientific equipment, and crewing
the boat, Pelican 1, operated by Pelican Expeditions,
a company which promotes environmental awareness.
Access to this boat and assistance from the trainees
will enable GBRMPA to undertake bleaching surveys
at the peak bleaching period around March and April.
