Reef Joint Field Management Program Business Strategy 2025–2030

Abstract

The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is of global environmental, cultural, and economic significance. It faces increasing pressures from climate change, poor water quality, coastal development and direct human activities. Given the Reef’s sheer size, complexity and cross-jurisdictional nature, a collaborative management approach is needed. The Australian and Queensland governments manage and safeguard Great Barrier Reef marine parks and protected islands through the Reef Joint Field Management Program—delivering strategic, hands-on actions to protect and enhance Reef health and resilience. Jointly run by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (part of the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation), the field management program’s success depends on strong partnerships with Traditional Owners, who play a central role in caring for Land and Sea Country. The Program also work closely with other government agencies, researchers, industry and communities. The Reef Joint Field Management Program Business Strategy 2025–2030 sets out high-level outcomes and strategic actions under five themes to address the Reef’s critical needs, supported by dedicated action plans. It also fulfills the requirement under the Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement 2024 to establish a five-year business strategy for the field management program.