Coral Reef Research Institue

[James C. Hendee]

The following was forwarded to me from Dr. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg for inclusion  
in the Coral Health and Monitoring list-server. 

====================== 

Dear James, 

We have just formed the Coral Reef Research Institute at the University of 
Sydney.  The aim of this research institute is to link up university and 
allied researchers into a framework that can provide support and direction 
to programs specifically aimed at helping promoting research, education  
andawareness of problems facing coral reefs worldwide.  The primary focus of 
this institute in the beginning will be southern Great Barrier Reef and 
western Pacific coral reef realms but it is hoped that the CRRI will be  
ableto link with international efforts such as yours. 

If you have any questions, please contact me immediately. 

Regards, 

Ove 

 RESEARCH INSTITUTE LAUNCHED TO SECURE FUTURE OF CORAL REEFS 

Sydney, NSW,  Monday July 3, 1995 

University of Sydney, in association with the Central Queensland University, 
will launch the Coral Reef Research Institute (CRRI).   This new institute 
is aimed at  promoting education, research and conservation of coral reefs 
and will be launched during the opening of the annual Australian Marine 
Science Association meetings at University of Technology, Sydney on Monday, 
July 3.  Renown diver, photographer and marine conservationist, Valorie 
Taylor, will offcially launch the new institute.  

The new institute has attracted some major scientists and scholars to its 
advisory council such as Sir David Attenborough, Robyn Williams, Professor 
Frank Talbot and Professor Michael Pitman (Chief Scientist of Australia), 
and is borne of concern for the declining health of the world's coral reefs. 
Increased nutrient levels and sediments in the waters surrounding coral 
reefs have been identified as major contributors to the decline of coral reefs. 

One of the prinicple assets of the new institute is the One Tree Island 
Research Station located at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. 
This research station along with its sister stations on Lizard, Heron and 
Orpheus Islands has played a key role in identifying the problems and 
solutions to the management of coral reefs.  The effective management of the 
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park has been reliant on quantifiable scientific 
evidence. Over the past 30 or so years, much of this valuable research has 
been undertaken on One Tree Island. 

One Tree Island Research Station is the only research facility that is 
wholly located within an exclusive Scientific Research Zone. This means its 
has vital significance as a sentinel of coral reef change occurring as a 
result of reef-associated human activities.  The Coral Reef Research 
Instiute will develop and expand this role and is expected to play a leading 
position in helping to preserve coral reefs, along with GBRMPA, the 
Australian Institute for Marine Scientists and the Cooperative Research 
Centre for Ecological Sustainable Development of the Great Barrier Reef in 
Townsville.  Although the new institute has the key support of people such 
as Sir David Attenborough and Robyn Williams, it is hoping to attract some 
major sponsors to help pursue its important agenda.   

******************** 

For further information please contact: 

The University of Sydney - 

Coral Reef Research Institute Director - Dr. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg - (02) 
351-2389, email oveh at bio.usyd.edu.au 

One Tree Island Deputy Director - Dr. Mike Kingsford - (02) 351 2440 

CRRI administration assistant, Brigid McKay - (02) 351-5636, Fax:  (02) 351-4119 
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Ove Hoegh-Guldberg                              Ph:    (02) 351-2389  
School of Biological Sciences                   Fax:  (02) 351-4119  
Building A08                                           Country code 
Australia = 61 
University of Sydney 
2006 NSW Australia 
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