A workshop at tropical Orpheus Island has provided the latest techniques and tips on coral reef restoration and leadership to Great Barrier Reef managers, tourism operators and Traditional Owners. James Cook University and Reef Ecologic hosted the four-day Reef Leadership and Restoration Workshop at Orpheus Island Research Station on November 15-18. The workshop’s 30 participants, including seven Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owners, learned about coral restoration techniques, sustainability actions and reef monitoring techniques from multiple experts including Dr Ian McLeod from James Cook University, who is heading up a review of reef restoration techniques under the Tropical Water Quality Hub. The Tropical Water Quality Hub sponsored five Traditional Owner organisation representatives to attend the workshop. Malik Thaiday, a Yirrganydji man and Ranger working for the Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation, said he came to the workshop to “gain more knowledge about coral reefs” and that it had been a valuable opportunity to establish relationships with other Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owners. “I think I’ll take home friendships I’ve made here and also information about coral reefs,” he said.
