Mr Thomas has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority since 2019. Mr Thomas has over 20 years’ experience in the public and private sector, in Australia and overseas. He has helped shape and lead environmental policy and programs for the Great Barrier Reef and in terrestrial natural resource management.

Mr Thomas has worked in a number of senior public sector roles and across the environment, agriculture and finance portfolios, as well as in federal Ministerial offices. Mr Thomas’ policy experience in the marine environment extends across the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments, migratory and endangered species, whaling matters, marine parks and Antarctica. He is committed to enhancing Australia’s natural environment and has been a strong advocate for incorporating both contemporary science and Indigenous traditional knowledge into environmental management throughout his career.

Mr Thomas lives in Townsville and holds a Master of Business Administration, Master of International Affairs, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts (Honours), and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Roger is the Reef Authority’s Chief Scientist. He has held several senior management roles since he joined the Reef Authority in 2008 including positions in Climate Change, Reef Knowledge, Reef Interventions and Tourism and Stewardship. His current role is the culmination of more than two decades working to protect the Reef, and focuses on communicating the Reef Authority’s key management initiatives to the community and developing science collaborations with national and international research teams to better protect the Reef for future generations.

In recent years Roger has focused on the expansion and delivery of the Crown-of-thorns starfish control work and coordination with the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program. These initiatives are delivered in partnership with government, not-for-profit, industry, community and Traditional Owners, serving as front-line response actions that can be taken to protect the Reef for future generations. The demonstrated coral protection outcomes delivered by the COTS control program aid the implementation of the Reef 2050 plan, inform the five-yearly Outlook report, and underpin resilience-based management of the Great Barrier Reef as the climate changes.

Originally from the UK, Roger moved to Townsville in 2004 to complete an MSc degree in Marine Biology at James Cook University. Since then, he has combined this knowledge with 12 years of commercial marketing experience from the pharmaceutical industry to identify strategies to support the future of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem under a changing climate.  In partnership with a range of scientific, government and non-government organisations Roger has focused on improving Reef stewardship and building knowledge about the resilience of coral reef ecosystems to climate change. Roger completed a PhD in 2014 that examined how individuals, industry and managers can jointly assess reef health to inform actions to support the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef.

Roger provides expert advice that informs decision-making and policy and is a highly experienced science communicator.

Carolyn originally joined the Reef Authority in 2002 as the Education Officer for the (then called) Reef HQ. She manages the Local Marine Advisory Committee Program at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, working with industry, community members, Traditional Owners, state and local government and stakeholders who provide advice on Marine Park issues and management and promote the exchange of information between Reef stakeholders, the reef Authority and management partners.

She has extensive experience working across the environment, health and education portfolios in strategic policy and regulatory roles.  She has advised Commonwealth and State Ministers, worked as an epidemiologist for the NSW government and in executive roles for the not-for-profit sector.  She has an Executive Master of Public Administration, Master of International Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours 1st Class).

David is a marine scientist with over 30 years of experience in coral reef ecology, fisheries, conservation management, marine operations, project planning and management. He attained a PhD in 2009 and spent the next decade working on research and consultancy projects in Australia and throughout the Indo-Pacific. Since 2020, David has worked with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, where he oversees the Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program. He has authored over 80 scientific papers and delivered presentations at numerous Australian and international conferences.

Cr Alison Jones is currently serving her fourth term as a councillor with Mackay Regional Council, demonstrating a longstanding dedication to the community. Her leadership is evident through her roles as co-chair of the Sustainability Strategic Advisory Committee and as the council’s representative on the Reef Guardian Council program, she has championed sustainability, the natural environment and coastal management in the Mackay Region.

Master Reef Guide Paul is a legend in the Great Barrier Reef dive industry, as the owner of Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive for over 20 years. The Townsville based dive training and marine tourism operator offers diving trips to various reefs and the SS Yongala Wreck.

Paul has a wealth of knowledge and stories to share on the Great Barrier Reef. Whether he is talking about diving many of the uncharted and rarely explored wrecks in the area, or the history of the local Reef sites off Townsville, Paul will keep you interested. Paul maintains a commitment to environmental sustainability and the education of his guests, as a recognised Eco Tourism Australia ‘Green Travel Leader’.

Professor Mia Hoogenboom builds new knowledge of how the environment controls the population growth and habitat distributions of reef organisms, and the processes that determine how species assemble into communities. She has worked across marine and freshwater systems, and on many different organisms, but her work in coral reef science has focused on fundamental ecophysiology and ecotoxicology research to support management and conservation decisions. Her research combines aquarium experiments, water quality sampling, field observations, remote sensing, and ecological modelling to understand the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on coral reef resilience. Mia received her PhD in marine ecology from James Cook University, followed by research fellowships at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco and the University of Glasgow. She is Academic Head for Marine Biology and Aquaculture, after returning to JCU College of Science and Engineering to take-up a research and teaching position in 2012. She has been a Program Leader in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, and coordinates the Master of Marine Biology degree at JCU.

Gareth Phillips is the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO), the peak industry body for marine tourism in Australia, specialising in the Great Barrier Reef marine tourism industry. He is also the director of Marine Discoveries, a Great Barrier Reef research and education company. With a master’s degree in science, Gareth has dedicated close to two decades to exploring and educating others about the Great Barrier Reef. During this time, he has spent more than 3000 days on the Reef, completed over 8000 dives, and delivered over 350 lectures, presentations, and speeches, guiding thousands of people through this natural wonder. 

Bob Muir is a Woppaburra elder and Traditional Owner of the Keppel Islands, southern Great Barrier Reef.  He is currently employed at Australian Institute of Marine Science, (AIMS) as an Indigenous Partnership Coordinator with involvement in the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP) and the Woppaburra Coral research a major project in the Keppel Islands. Chair of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation (GBRF) COTS Reef Restoration Adapt Science Technical Working Group, Working between AIMS, CSIRO, RRAP and the GBRF. Chair of the Capricorn Coast Local Marine Advisory Committee, member of Science Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP), member of the Indigenous People of Australia (IPOA) and member of the Woppaburra TUMRA.  He doesn’t plan to retire just doesn’t see it happening.

Karen is a marine scientist with expertise in ecosystem processes and resilience, particularly in coral reefs. As a data analyst, she is passionate about making data and research outputs accessible and interpretable for decision-makers.

Jameelie Fletchett

Richard Quincey is the General Manager of Marine Park Operations at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. He has a strong background in managing both marine and terrestrial protected areas. Richard is dedicated to collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure that natural and cultural resources are utilised wisely for the benefit of all. In his role at the Reef Authority, Richard collaborates with Traditional Owners to effectively manage their Sea Country. He also oversees initiatives such as the Reef Joint Field Management Program and environmental assessments and permissions. One of his key responsibilities is managing the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Control Program, an active and progressive management action. Additionally, Richard collaborates with scientists and the community to develop feasible methods for implementing rehabilitation and remediation techniques in the reef environment.

Fred has served with the Reef Authority since 2001, bringing over two decades of national and international experience in engagement and education. He is part of the senior executive team leading the redevelopment of Australia’s national education centre for the Reef — the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium — a flagship initiative to increase public understanding of the Reef and its management.

Fred’s Major Projects Branch fosters science partnerships that produce evidence-based communication and decision support tools. These collaborations enhance access to socio-ecological knowledge and deepen understanding of the Reef’s complex human interactions, supporting adaptive management across the Marine Park.

The Branch also develops future-focused Reef management policies and spatial planning frameworks to protect the Reef’s outstanding universal value and promote ecologically sustainable use, ensuring its long-term resilience.

Fiona Merida is the Director of Reef Education and Engagement at the Reef Authority and holds a degree in Marine Biology, specialising in the Great Barrier Reef.

Fiona has 20 years’ experience in tourism management and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protection.

Her particular focus is on providing targeted tools to build the capacity of individuals to contribute to Reef protection and awareness through programs such as Eye on the Reef and Master Reef Guides.

Fiona is a highly experienced science communicator, and her portfolio includes oversight of the Reef Authority’s Tourism Reef Advisory Committee and flagship programs such as the High Standard Tourism Operators Program, Master Reef Guides, Reef Guardian Councils and Reef Guardian Schools.

Mark works as part of the Reef Joint Field Management Program (RJFMP), the joint Australian and Queensland government program responsible for the delivery of field operations in the Commonwealth and State marine parks (including Commonwealth Islands Zones) and on island protected areas within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Mark’s role is to provide oversight of Program governance, business planning and budget management, plus coordination of Reef health and maritime incident response and the delivery of conservation projects to support resilience-based management of key marine and island habitats and the species they support. 

Duane Fraser is a Wulgurukaba and Bidjara Traditional Owner, and has extensive experience advising Commonwealth and State Governments on matters relating to Indigenous Affairs and Environmental Policy.

Duane uses his profile to create positive change and impact to ensure Traditional Owners are given the opportunity for full and effective participation and leadership roles at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

Duane has presented at numerous international fora on the advancement of Indigenous peoples of the world and their empowerment in the protection and safeguarding of their delicate biocultural land and seascapes, heritage and cultural expressions.

Currently serving as Chair of the Federal Minister of the Environment’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, Duane has also served on senior government and non-government boards including The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, CRC for Northern Australia and Tourism and Events Queensland.

Duane is Co-Chair of the ReefTO Taskforce alongside Manuwuri Forester.

Dr Beth Fulton is a Chief Research Scientist with CSIRO where she helps lead work on integrated oceans stewardship and the blue economy. In shaping the strategic direction for CSIRO’s research in this area, she is building off nearly 30 years of work developing various system modelling tools and scenario-based methods for looking at marine ecosystems, sustainability, climate adaptation, management interventions and possible futures. Beth is also an Adjunct Professor and Deputy Director at the Centre of Marine Socioecology, a centre focuses on working collaboratively to find transdisciplinary, equitable and sustainable solutions to the problems facing coasts and oceans. 

Julia Playford, Research Director, Queensland Government

John Foster

Cr Jeff Baines

Dr Poiner has extensive experience in the strategic development, planning and leading science, both as a practising scientist and at the organisational level.

He chairs the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority) and is a former CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science and CSIRO research scientist. His science background is research into tropical marine systems especially understanding how marine systems are influenced by human activities.

The enduring focus of his research and research leadership career is facilitating and fostering science impact through end-user uptake of science outputs to support policy, natural resource management, First Nations people and the sustainable development of marine industries guided by a clear understanding of environmental and stakeholder needs.

Dr Poiner has extensive experience as the Chair or a Director on company, incorporated and non-incorporated joint ventures and CRC boards. He has worked widely with industry on projects spanning the fishing and offshore oil and gas industries, and the Port sector. He also has experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

From 2002, he was a member of the International Scientific Steering Committee of the Census of Marine Life (CoML) and from 2007 to 2013 the Chair of the Committee. The COML was a successful US$650 million 10-year international effort involving 2,700 scientists undertaken to assess the diversity, distribution, and abundance of global marine life. In 2011, Japan’s Expo’90 Foundation awarded the Committee the International Cosmos Prize.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by James Cook University in 2013 and by The University of Queensland in 2022.

He is the patron of the Australian Marine Science Association (AMSA), Australia's peak professional body for marine scientists.