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

This year will mark 20 years of Marine Park Zoning, but did you know that that the history of zoning on the Great Barrier Reef actually dates back to the early 80s?  

Reef Authority CEO Josh Thomas was in the hot seat for Episode 7 of the Reef in Focus Podcast to discuss the modern Marine Park Zoning Plan, from its early origins, inception, to the incredible benefits now being witnessed right across the Reef. 

To hear more, along with the perils of being a New South Welshman living in North Queensland when the other 'Origin' rolls around, check out the latest episode of Reef in Focus. 

More: reefauthority,gov.au/podcast

Summer is a busy time on the Great Barrier Reef, with everyone from international tourists to recreational fishers heading out to enjoy the Marine Park. But how is the Reef looking as we head into its peak visitation period? It turns out there is a variety of real-time monitoring tools and techniques, from cutting-edge temperature sensing satellites to wind models, which help in answering this question.

As well as laying claim to the best chilli mud-crab recipe around, Richard Quincey is General Manager of Marine Park Operations at the Reef Authority. He has been working in hands-on management roles on the Reef since joining Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service in the mid-90s. In this podcast he shares some of the challenges of monitoring Reef health and the power of collaboration with scientific partners.

More: reefauthority.gov.au/podcast