Rolex - Coral Nurture Program – Great Barrier Reef expansion

Project Member(s): Camp, E.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Rolex Awards (The Rolex Awards for Enterprise)
Rolex Awards (The Rolex Awards for Enterprise)

Start year: 2023

Summary: Coral reefs are the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world, but they face multiple threats to their survival from overfishing, water pollution and rising sea temperatures caused by climate change. Globally coral reefs have an estimated value of US$36 Billion per year – value this is under threat if they are lost. While addressing climate change and the local stressors corals face is paramount, researchers now fear, without innovative restoration efforts, coral reefs will continue to be lost. This is due to the time it will take the oceans to re-equilibrate once the climate stabilizes. While the task of maintaining and restoring the health of the world’s reefs is a huge challenge requiring concerted effort from governments and industry, our initiative shows what can be achieved when communities work collectively to benefit the reef and the many stakeholders that rely on reef resources.

FOR Codes: Marine systems and management, Ecosystem adaptation to climate change, Climate change impacts and adaptation, Environmental rehabilitation and restoration

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.