Reef in Focus

Reef in Focus

por Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Ciencias NaturalesNaturaleza
Temporada 3
New beginnings: Reflecting on half a century of Reef management ft. Rod Williams
In this this episode of Reef in Focus, we’re stepping back in time to the earliest days of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for an episode that’s been 50 years in the making! Special guest Rod Williams, the Reef Authority’s very first employee, served as Executive Officer from 1976 through to 1981. He sat down with host Lincoln Bertoli to reflect on the highlights and challenges of protecting the world’s largest coral reef during a pivotal moment in Australia’s environmental history… initially with no staff, no office, and no boats!
T3 · E1
28 may 2026
20:07
Temporada 2
Sea Country connections: The Girringun TUMRA story ft. Jade Pryor
Caring for the Great Barrier Reef is strongest when marine science and Indigenous knowledge work side by side. For 20 years, Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements (TUMRAs) have shown how Traditional Owners, scientists and managers can come together to respect culture, protect Sea Country and build a healthier future for the Reef. At its heart, this is a story about connection — to place, to people and to the wisdom passed down through generations. In this episode of Reef in Focus, host Lincoln Bertoli speaks with Jade Pryor, a Bandjin and Girramay Traditional Owner and coordinator of the Girringun TUMRA, whose lifelong ties to her community and Country have shaped her work and her identity. Jade reflects on her early memories of listening to Elders, her first childhood experience on the Reef, and the responsibility she now carries in supporting the six saltwater groups of the Girringun region. She explains how the TUMRA has evolved to include seagrass, dugong, mangrove, fish and blue carbon monitoring, and describes the essential role of Girringun Rangers and Elders in both traditional practices and modern marine management. She also shares the deeply moving experience of returning to her Sea Country with her daughter and seeing healthy coral and marine life through the lens of culture and ancestry. Jade highlights the importance of respectful collaboration, the strength that comes from combining Indigenous knowledge with contemporary science, and the need for Traditional Owners to have a stronger voice in caring for the Reef.
T2 · E8
21 nov 2025
24:01
Smooth operators: How tourism is turning the tide on Reef protection ft. Justin Bovery-Spencer
In this episode, we sit down with Justin Bovery-Spencer to explore how tourism is playing a powerful role in protecting the Great Barrier Reef. Justin explains how responsible travel practices and strong partnerships with operators are making a real difference, showing that visitors aren’t just experiencing the Reef, they’re helping to save it. Justin shares stories about how tourism supports reef monitoring and research, highlights operators leading conservation efforts, and explains why every visitor’s choices matter for reef health. We also hear how communities and travellers are working together to secure the Reef’s future.
T2 · E7
26 sept 2025
20:14
The marine turtle's journey of prehistoric proportions ft. Dr Mark Read
We take a closer look at one of the ocean’s most iconic creatures - the green turtle. Join us as we explore the Great Barrier Reef Green Turtle Research Program’s Foraging Ground Population Monitoring Project. We’ll dive into the challenges sea turtles face, including climate change and habitat loss, and highlight the collaborative efforts between scientists and Traditional Owners to ensure the survival of these ancient marine reptiles for generations to come.
T2 · E6
22 sept 2025
40:21
Hooked on sustainability ft. Rob Paxevanos
Join us for a conversation with Rob Paxevanos, author of Australian Fishing Basics and host of Fishing Australia, as we dive into what it means to fish smarter, not harder, on the Great Barrier Reef. Rob shares practical, easy-to-use tips for recreational fishers on gear choice, bait, and fishing techniques that help protect the Reef’s delicate ecosystems. We also explore how small changes in behaviour can make a big difference for fish stocks, why knowing your target species matters, and how to enjoy a successful day on the water while leaving the Reef in great shape for future generations.
T2 · E5
15 ago 2025
40:04
Great Barrier Reef Aquarium redevelopment ft. Fred Nucifora
Since opening in 1987, the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium (formerly Reef HQ) has provided millions of people a chance to experience the magic and wonder of the Reef without getting wet. It’s home to the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium and has inspired curiosity, learning, and love for the Reef across generations. After closing to the public for major upgrades, questions have been raised. Will it reopen? Is there funding to finish the job? What does the future hold for this iconic tourism and education facility in Townsville? In this episode, we speak with Fred Nucifora, the Reef Authority’s General Manager of Major Projects, to get the facts on the redevelopment and the vital role the Aquarium continues to play in Reef education, science, and storytelling.
T2 · E4
21 jul 2025
29:40
From protection to partnership: the Reef management journey ft. Dr Ian Poiner
In this special 50th anniversary episode, we take a look back, and forward at how the Great Barrier Reef has been cared for over the past five decades. Joining us is Dr Ian Poiner, long-time marine scientist and Chair of the Reef Authority board. Often described as the best-managed reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef’s story is one of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, drawing on the latest science, Traditional Knowledge, and decades of dedicated management. A lot has changed since the Marine Park was first established, and that journey is far from over. In this episode, we explore how Reef management has evolved, what it looks like today, and the hopeful path we’re on for the next 50 years.
T2 · E3
25 jun 2025
24:53
Saving the Great Barrier Reef: How a movement became a Marine Park ft. Rohan Lloyd
Protecting the Reef isn’t just about science. It’s about people, passion, and persistence. The fight to save the Reef started with everyday Australians who cared enough to act, and 50 years later, that same spirit is just as important. The Reef’s story is our story, and it’s still being written. We're diving into a truly special episode, marking 50 years since the establishment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act, a milestone in environmental protection that helped shape how we care for this natural wonder. To help us explore the deep history and human story behind one of Australia’s greatest environmental achievements, we're joined by Dr Rohan Lloyd, historian and author of Saving the Reef. From protest movements to policy breakthroughs, Rohan brings the past to life and helps us understand how far we've come in protecting the Reef.
T2 · E2
19 jun 2025
37:55
State of the Reef: Between two scientists ft. Dr David Wachenfeld and Dr Roger Beeden
The Great Barrier Reef has faced its share of challenges recently, from tropical cyclones to flood plumes and coral bleaching. In the season opener of Reef in Focus season two, we bring together two leading experts: Dr Roger Beeden, Chief Scientist at the Reef Authority, and Dr David Wachenfeld, Research Program Director at the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Join us as we go beyond the headlines to discuss everything from monitoring to management, unpack the impact of recent events on the Reef, and discuss what lies ahead for the summer. It's a must-listen for anyone passionate about the science behind protecting one of the world’s most iconic ecosystems. More: reefauthority.gov.au/podcast
T2 · E1
20 ene 2025
40:33
Temporada 1
Scratching the surface on the Great Southern Plan ft. Ian Walker
Together with the Traditional Owner groups of the southern Great Barrier Reef, we have embarked on a new chapter in Marine Park management by developing a Southern Plan of Management for the area south of approximately Midge Point to the southern boundary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Reef Authority General Manager Ian Walker joined us to talk about the Southern Plan of Management, including what a plan of management means, how it will safeguard the Reef, who's involved, and what it means for Reef users. More: reefauthority,gov.au/podcast
T1 · E8
12 jun 2024
24:57
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