THE STORYTELLERS OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

More than 100 dedicated Master Reef Guides are sharing the GBR's most important stories with visitors in a bid to inspire its greater protection.

- NARELLE BOUVENG

SCIENTISTS SAY THE future of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park will depend on whether it can adapt to climate change, but admit their message can be misinterpreted as a death knell rather than an alarm bell (see page 96). That's where storytelling comes in.

"We're scientists, not storytellers," says Dr David Wachenfeld, Research Program Director of the Australian Institute of Marine Science and former chief scientist for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) for more than 25 years. David says that storytelling plays a pivotal role in reef protection.

"Learning is an important part of the visitor reef experience," he says. "When science is explained in a relatable, relevant and honest context by local guides trained to understand, manage and protect the reef, it can lead to a deeper connection that can inspire a commitment to do more to protect it." Storytelling was the catalyst for science, tourism and government to partner in 2019 and launch the first-of-itskind Master Reef Guides (MRG) program, says Fiona Merida, GBRMPA's Director of Reef Education and Engagement.

Working in tourism as a marine biologist and guide before joining GBRMPA in 2003, Fiona recognised that local guides were the bellwethers of reef education, but found limited training and professional development opportunities were available to them.

Initially taking reference from the highly successful Savannah Guides program-launched in Queensland in 1988 to inspire visitor interpretation of the natural and cultural histories of Gulf Savannah Country - Fiona says the MRG program was adapted to suit the GBR's unique environments and is evolving in readiness for what scientists say will be the biggest challenge facing the reef: climate change.