2022-12-12 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                            12 DECEMBER 2022


Using a globally standardised protocol to survey the nearshore reef habitats of Noosa, RCA
proposes to provide an early warning system for changes in reef health in our region and
increase available data for science and management applications.
Several key objectives drive RCA’s daily operations:
•    To collect and publish important coral reef data that is of value to scientists and marine
     managers.
•    To help communities understand the value of reef ecosystems and how they can help protect
     them through daily actions and sustainable behaviours.
•    To create high-quality educational and public awareness programs, facilitating behavioural
     change and promoting sustainable practices that help protect the environment.
•    To facilitate collaborative partnerships between not-for-profit groups to provide
     comprehensive and meaningful opportunities for community members to engage in coral reef
     conservation.
Components of the program:
1.   Monitoring of 5 key locations
     Reef health surveys will be conducted by trained volunteers at Jew Shoal (2), Noosa ‘The
     Caves’ (1) and Little Halls Reef (2) - total 5 surveys. Survey data, underwater photographs,
     and video will be provided following the surveys.
2.   Algae sampling
     Algae samples will be collected as a part of this ongoing project to better understand changes
     in the benthos of Noosa reefs over time and will be provided to Noosa Council for preparation
     and identification. This will help inform Noosa Council’s broader algae monitoring program
     and early warning system for nuisance blooms which in the past have impacted Noosa Main
     Beach.
3.   Reporting
     Findings will be provided as a part of RCA’s SEQ Regional Report, and delivery of a report
     of findings specific to Noosa monitoring locations, with acknowledgement of Noosa Council
     as a supporter. Reef images will be uploaded to the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s
     ReefCloud digital tool, encouraging Noosa reefs to be ‘on the map’.
4.   Communication activities
     Project images and stories for promotional purposes (minimum 5 social media posts) will be
     provided to assist with Noosa Council’s promotion of the survey. Council will be
     acknowledged on the RCA website as a project supporter, and included in relevant e-
     newsletters, social media and print materials.
Previous Council Consideration
RCA completed surveys on Noosa’s nearshore reefs in 2010 and 2011 for Noosa Council.
There are multiple reasons why RCA should be added to Council’s Specialised Supplier List
including:
•    The unique nature of the services they provide including engagement of citizen scientists.
•    The technical complexity of the work they do in the marine monitoring field.
•    The breadth of experience they have working for other areas.
•    The need for a consistent monitoring methodology to build on baseline data, given they
     undertook monitoring of Noosa’s nearshore reefs previously.




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