Collaboration is at the core of Cairns Marine’s Collection | Education | Research® philosophical foundation. It is through our collaborative relationships that we have been able to add substantial intrinsic value to our otherwise commercial activities. An advocative approach to our relationship with other operators in our industry; and the fishery and protected areas management agencies has additionally enabled us to establish a position of leadership in our industry. Some of our key collaborative relationships are described below.
Go to Research Partnerships to learn more about our extensive history of collaboration with research institutions and documentary film makers.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Cairns Marine has been involved with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) for many years. Lyle snr, in collaboration with Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (QDAFF) researchers instigated a monitoring program for reef fish spawning aggregations in 1992 that remains in operation today. As a harvest fisheries participant in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Cairns Marine is a permit holder and works collaboratively with the GBRMPA on all matters pertaining to the aquarium fish and coral fisheries.
In addition, Lyle jnr is a member of the Ecosystem Reef Advisory Committee and is the point of contact for liaison between our fisheries and GBRMPA in the event of legislative and management changes; and in the event the reef is affected by mishap or damage from natural disasters. Ryan Donnelly has been a member of the Cairns Local Marine Advisory Committee since 2004; and is a participant in the development of the Reef Guardian fishers program across the entire Great Barrier Reef.
Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry
Cairns Marine has a long association with the QDAFF. Bev and Lyle snr are former long standing employees and the relationship has been built upon since the Squire family purchased Cairns Marine in 1994. Lyle snr has done many dive surveys for the QDAFF assessing pylons and other infrastructure among the crocodiles in Trinity Inlet for colonisation by Asian Green Mussels and other introduced species.
In recent years, our sawfish collection from the Gulf of Carpentaria has formed the basis for an ongoing relationship with a sawfish researcher from the department. That research could not be carried out to the same degree of effectiveness without capitalising on Cairns Marine’s existing activities. In addition, Cairns Marine directors periodically attend meetings that address local issues, including unexplained mortality of Queensland grouper in our local region.
Pro-vision Reef
Cairns Marine is a long standing member and supporter of our industry association. Lyle snr is a former president, a position now held by Lyle jnr. Lyle jnr has overseen the generation of wider industry inclusion in the association and its rebirth as Pro-vision Reef in 2007 reflecting the professional and far sighted nature of the association’s activities.
Pro-vision Reef now has an operational Stewardship Action Plan, which establishes a uniform collection standard that minimises the effects of collecting specimens and includes a response plan for collection following events linked to climate change that works in collaboration with response plans developed by GBRMPA and QDAFF.
Ryan Donnelly developed a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment on behalf of Pro-vision Reef as a first step in assisting industry to adapt to anticipated biophysical changes linked to climate change and the concomitant changes to resource management. That assessment includes strengthening the existing Ecological Risk Assessment process for our fisheries and a critical appraisal of the integrated climate change response as it applies to our fisheries.
Pro-vision Reef is also the point of contact for all matters relating to aquarium fisheries for government agencies and the media.