Policy Number: 4.20.3
Contact Officer: Director, Research and Research Training Division
Date Approved by Senate: 25/11/2004
Date for Next Review: 25/11/2007
Related Policies:
The following Code of Conduct has been developed to ensure the highest standards are followed in relation to research activities carried out in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP), and that all activities are in line with University policy, GBRMPA and state government regulations and relevant legislation.
The University of Queensland is committed to ensuring the protection of the GBRMP environment by keeping environmental impacts of its research activities to a minimum.
Conduct of Staff and Students
While carrying out research in the GBRMP, staff must ensure their activities and behaviour are in accordance with the Code of Conduct , Research Ethics Policy , Procedures for the Conduct of Research, and other relevant policies. Students' conduct should be in line with the Student Charter or the Postgraduate Research Students Charter .
Authorisation for Research Activities
Prior to the commencement of any research work in GBRMP, researchers must familiarise themselves with the requirements of the University of Queensland/Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Memorandum of Understanding (Appendix 1), the Great Barrier Reef Zoning Plan (http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/management/zoning/index.html), the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1983, relevant Plans of Management, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983 as relevant to the researcher's program.
For Limited Impact Research (Extractive) and Limited Impact Research (Non-extractive) researchers must gain authorisation from the University of Queensland ("Letter of Authorisation" Appendix 2). For all other research, a permit must be obtained from the relevant authority (GBRMPA).
A copy of the Letter of Authorisation or Permits (as required) should be carried at all times when conducting activities in the marine park. If a letter of authorisation is not able to be produced when required, the research work must cease until authorisation is clarified. Researcher or other personnel are liable to prosecution for contravention of the Zoning Plan.
All researchers must abide by relevant laws and regulations. All research activities must be designed in such a way as to minimise negative impacts on the environment and the local community within the GBRMP. If unexpected excessive damage occurs, the activity must cease immediately and be reassessed.
Relevant local authorities (eg Rangers, Research Station Staff, Coast Guard) should be informed of any activity prior to commencement.
Risk assessments must be completed and followed in accordance with University of Queensland policies to ensure safe and environmentally sound practices are upheld at all times.
Activities within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
In recognition of the environmental significance and World Heritage status of the Marine Park, a summary of the Legal Requirements and Best Environmental Practices has been developed by GBRMPA on the following areas and should be followed at all times unless a more prohibitive University policy exists:
• Anchoring
• Bird Watching
• Boating
• Camping
• Collecting
• Diving and Snorkelling
• Dugong Watching
• Island Visits
• Fishing
• Moorings
• Motorised Water Sports
• Reef Walking
• Spear Fishing
• Turtle Watching
• Waste Disposal
• Whale and Dolphin Watching
• Yachting
The University will advise researchers who hold existing authorisation of changes, updates or extensions to these practices and standards.
All Snorkelling and Diving Activities must be in accordance with the University's Diving Safety Policy and Manual.
Researchers must comply with the following:
• Possession of a current relevant ethical clearance as necessary in accordance with University policy
• Recognise that the Marine Park is a multiple use marine park, that all researchers and other personnel are aware of other users (eg tourists, traditional owners, commercial fishers etc) in any area where research is being conducted and that they minimise the potential for negative interactions whenever possible
• Researchers are encouraged to learn more about the tradition, culture and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to respect the values and many special cultural and heritage sites of traditional owners throughout the Marine Park
• All researchers should lodge in an appropriate curated museum collection within Australia, a portion of any new taxonomic material (including all holotypes and at least half the number of paratypes of new species) collected as part of a research project in the Marine Park.
• All vessels used in connection with research must be clearly marked "Research Vessel" while being used for those activities in the Marine Park.
• All equipment, including minor research aids, placed in the Marine park in connection with a research project must be clearly marked with the name, institution and research project duration or, in the event that this information cannot be placed on the equipment, the researcher must record a dGPS or GPS location for the equipment. The GPS location should be lodged with the Director, Environmental Impact Management, GBRMPA on placement of the apparatus.
• All research activities must be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the laws in force from time to time in the State of Queensland.
• Within 30 days of concluding a research project in the Marine Park, all equipment and material used in connection with the project must be removed from the Marine Park. If for any unforeseen circumstances this is not possible, GBRMPA must be notified, in writing, within the 30 day period providing reasons for the delay and providing a timetable for removal of the equipment and material.
• When undertaking research in a part of the Scientific Research Zone in the vicinity of the locations listed below, the researcher must discuss the study sites with the appropriate person (as specified), and comply with any approved Environmental Management Plan for conducting research in that area:
|
Location
|
Appropriate Person
|
|
Day Reef SR-14-2001
|
Co-Directors,
Lizard
Island Research Station
|
|
Yonge Reef SR-14-2002
|
Co-Directors,
Lizard
Island Research Station
|
|
MacGillivray Reef SR-14-2003
|
Co-Directors,
Lizard
Island Research Station
|
|
Lizard
Island Reef SR-14-2004
|
Co-Directors,
Lizard
Island Research Station
|
|
North Direction Reef SR-14-2005
|
Co-Directors,
Lizard
Island Research Station
|
|
Green
Island Reef SR-16-2006
|
Manager, Monkman Research Station
|
|
Orpheus
Island north SR-18-2007
|
Manager,
Orpheus
Island Research Station
|
|
AIMS SR-19-2008
|
Director, Australian Institute of Marine Science
|
|
Heron Island Reef east SR-23-2009
|
Station Manager,
Heron
Island Research Station
|
|
One
Tree
Island reef SR-23-2010
|
Resident Officer,
One
Tree
Island Research Station
|
• Any illegal or disturbing activity observed within marine parks to the appropriate authorities
Appendices
Appendix 1: Memorandum of Understanding GBRMPA/UQ
Appendix 2: Letter of Authorisation
Appendix 3: Application for Authorisation (to be developed)
Appendix 4: List of appropriate websites and authorities
Appendix 1
Memorandum of Understanding GBRMPA/UQ
Appendix 2
Letter of Authorisation
(to be printed on University of Queensland letterhead)
This letter authorises ……………… to conduct research within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for the period ……… to ……………under the University of Queensland's institutional permit. The research to be carried out will be: (insert description of the nature of the research to be conducted).
Signed:
……………………………………
On behalf of the University of Queensland
Appendix 3
Application for Authorisation
Appendix 4
List of Appropriate web sites and authorities
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au
GBR Zoning Plan http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/management/zoning/index.html
Science Faculty Great Barrier Reef Research Permits http://www.science.uq.edu.au//?page=104839