The many great things about working on the Great Barrier Reef
Issued: 9 Dec

‘Being a part of looking after and conserving one of the most iconic places on Earth—that’s pretty cool! And the amazing partners and different agencies we work with is great, our strong partnerships with First Nations peoples and the Reef Authority, through the Reef Joint Field Management Program  (the Program).’

Starting off his career with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) as a Vessel Master, driving both small and large vessels in the Marine Parks fleet, Callum has been a Senior Ranger in compliance for the Northern Great Barrier Reef for the last 4 years.

Knowing the place will be left in good hands with the next generation is a big motivator for Ranger Callum when working within and outside of QPWS.

‘I really love empowering and upskilling others, both internal Rangers and Indigenous Ranger groups with our Traditional Owner partners,’ he said.

Ranger Callum said that for the most part, everyone who visits the national parks and marine parks in his patch has the right intent.

‘Most people are out there to enjoy and conserve the area, which is great.’

But when out on the water, he said his main focus is about trying to effect behaviour change, helping people understand the impacts of their noncompliant activities as opposed to deterrence alone.

‘It’s a long-term goal to get people to be voluntarily compliant with the rules within the marine parks and national park islands. It is challenging, it’s a slow burn, but it’s a good challenge. We are noticing some positive trends in voluntary compliance, which is the result of a lot of effort from the Program and its partners.’

‘There are various marine parks and island national parks rules which can be a challenge to wrap your head around.

‘My top tip for people would be to familiarise yourself with the rules before you go. Relatively few of the people we speak to for noncompliance are intentionally doing the wrong thing. A lot of it is just ignorance,’ he said.

‘Check out the zoning maps and know where you can go and what you can do within those areas. Double, triple check before you wet a line to make sure you’re in the right place,’ he said.

One of Ranger Callum’s big concerns is the cumulative impact of noncompliant recreational fishing.

‘One person may think that taking one fish from an area they shouldn’t isn’t a big deal, but when you look at the bigger picture, with around 1.5 million individual recreational fishing trips out on the Great Barrier Reef each year, the cumulative impact is huge.’

‘Two great apps I recommend to all reef visitors are the Eye on the Reef app for all you need to know about zoning, and QLD Fishing 2.0 app for fishing rules at your fingertips.

‘Before you visit an island, check the national parks pages on our website and look at the conditions around the camping permit. Some island national parks might be closed due to seasonal closures, for example to protect nesting seabirds. Some places you can’t have fires, some have facilities like toilets and barbeques, and some don’t. Do your research before you go so you can have the most enjoyable time when you’re there.’

When it comes to what he recommends you see, having explored a lot of the World Heritage area, Callum struggles to have a favourite.

‘Choosing a favourite place or ecosystem is hard. There are so many different ecosystems within this one World Hertiage area. As far as island national parks goes, it’s hard for me to beat the Flinders Group National Park (CYPAL) off the coast of Cape Melville. It’s stunning, and both its natural and cultural values are extraordinary. I love diving on a healthy reef, it’s just amazing, and I’ve always had a soft spot for Opal Reef off Port Douglas, but there’s just so many good ones all the way up and down. And as much as I love diving, if we’re not looking after the estuaries, mangrove systems, inner reef areas from inshore to the mid-shelf, there’s not going to be a Great Barrier Reef. So, there’s no favourite, it’s recognition of all the amazing and unique different ecosystems in this World Heritage Area.’

Our Rangers are passionate for protection and conservation, wanting everyone to enjoy our beautiful natural spaces as much as they do, and Ranger Callum is no exception.

‘I’m really proud to wear the Herbie badge. There’s something really special about being on the ground, as a Ranger, delivering direct conservation actions and doing what we can to limit impacts. Being able to have those direct conversations with our visitors.’

‘People on the water see you rocking up in your Ranger shirt, they see that Herbie badge, and even if we’re having to hand out a fine because they’re doing the wrong thing, they’re generally so respectful and receptive. I think that’s because of the relationship we have with have with our visitors, it’s something to be pretty proud of. You don’t get many other regulatory agencies that have that rapport with the people they’re engaging with.’

‘We’ve got such a legacy of being in it not just for the conservation of the protected area, but also for the enjoyment for our visitors.

‘I think it’s really important to remember.

‘We’re managing protected areas for conservation, but we’re also ensuring that they’re there for people’s enjoyment, both now and into the future.’