eReefs Research Project
e-Reefs – Transforming the Science and Management of the Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is a national treasure bringing significant economic, cultural and social benefits to our nation. The recent announcement by the Australian Institute of Marine Science declared that coral cover has declined by 50% in just 27 years illustrating just how fragile cumulative pressures are on the Great Barrier Reef.
The eReefs project has been formed as the first step in building comprehensive coastal information systems for Australia and aims to contribute to the protection and preservation of the iconic Great Barrier Reef.
The eReefs project will capitalise on the power of public-private collaborations to protect our Reef. It will combine government commitment to Reef protection, world class science innovation and operation, with contribution from leading Australian business.
Using the latest technologies to collate data, and new and integrated modelling, eReefs will produce powerful visualisation, communication and reporting tools. It will provide for the Reef information akin to that provided by the Bureau of Meteorology for weather. This information will benefit government agencies, Reef managers, policy makers, researchers, industry and local communities.
Sequim Bay State Park (Photo: Great Barrier Reef Foundation)
Participants in the Foundations ZooX Ambassador Program conduct a Coral Watch transect on Heron Island, QLD. Photo: Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
eReefs is a collaboration between:
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Great Barrier Reef Foundation
- CSIRO
- Australian Institute of Marine Science
- Queensland Government.
eReefs is supported by funding from:
- BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)
- Queensland Government
- Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country initiative
- SIEF.
For further information please contact:
Dr Greg Stuart; eReefs Project Director g.stuart@bom.gov.au
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