Page 23 - Tropic Magazine Issue 25

TROPIC • ENVIRONMENT

New reef chief

CEO APPOINTMENT
A passionate marine
conservationist has joined
the team at Reef Restoration
Foundation as its new CEO.

Words: Gavin King
An innovative coral nursery foundation
is set to enter a new phase of growth years deploying nurseries and planting with industry leader Cairns Marine. He
with the appointment of new CEO Ryan corals on the Great Barrier Reef. was also a key driver behind industry
Donnelly. Chairperson and interim Ryan’s appointment means the body Pro-vision Reef, linking coral
CEO Rob Giason said Ryan’s experience Foundation can move forward with fishery industry practices to improve
as a coordinator, facilitator and plans for three new outer reef nurseries environmental performance. He’s also
communicator in the marine aquarium in addition to its existing sites at Fitzroy held various roles with the Reef and
trade over the last decade was a perfect fit Island and Hastings Reef. Ryan holds a Rainforest Research Centre, Terrain
for the Reef Restoration Foundation. Bachelor of Coastal Management and Natural Resource Management, Cairns
The organisation has spent the past three a Master of Science and has worked Chamber of Commerce and Wet Tropics
Waterways and helped develop the
Great Barrier Reef International Marine
College.
Fisho’s unite
MORE: reefrestorationfoundation.org
Local recreational anglers are
being called on to take part in a
citizen science project. Aimed Crazy fight
at improving urban waterway
management, the project will It could take 10 years or more
focus on the Saltwater Creek to eradicate yellow crazy
urban catchment north of the ants from parts of Cairns.
That’s the long-term verdict
Cairns’ CBD.
Project manager Dr Geoffrey the year, the objective is to identify from experts working to rid
infestations from six suburbs
Collins said the study will help where fish gather, what conditions
authorities and recreational fishers they need to feed, breed and in the city. Cairns Regional
understand “how, when and why” move and use that information to Council recently voted to
continue supporting the
fish move through urban waters. review and assess current water
“Anglers are the eyes and ears management practices. fight, led by the Wet Tropics
Management Authority.
above and below the water and The project, titled “Saltwater
they know that urban areas hold a Creek Waterway Management
high diversity of fish species,” Dr Plan”, is a collaboration between The highly invasive
and damaging ants are
Collins said. “They also understand Cairns Regional Council, James
that current water management Cook University, Wet Tropics known to exist in
Bentley Park
practices can potentially be Waterways and Australia’s fishing
improved and that positive conservation organisation Edmonton
management changes will have a OzFish Unlimited. Mount Peter
Gordonvale
direct impact on their fishing.
“By conducting a series of baseline Wrights Creek
Bayview Heights
fish surveys at different times of MORE: ozfish.org.au/cairns

23 • tropicnow.com.au