Three passionate representatives from the Capricorn Coast recently took part in the Eye on the Reef Training Days in Airlie Beach — the largest single capacity-building event of its kind in the region to date.
The training brought together tourism operators, Traditional Owners, scientists, educators and community members, all united by a shared commitment to the future of the Great Barrier Reef.
Local participants included Max Allen Jnr and Brenda Cook from Freedom Fast Cats, who completed the Eye on the Reef Guide training, and Jenn Mayes from Keppel Dive and Water Sports, who undertook the advanced Train the Trainer program — qualifying her to train others to become certified Eye on the Reef Guides.
Administered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority), Eye on the Reef is a world-leading monitoring and assessment initiative that enables anyone visiting the Great Barrier Reef to contribute to its protection through science-based data collection.
Tourism operators play a pivotal role in this program, leveraging their frequent reef visits to create the most fine-scale coral monitoring system in existence. The data collected through Eye on the Reef directly informs management decisions, helping to safeguard the reef’s health and resilience for generations to come.
The training days showcased the full suite of Eye on the Reef methods — from rapid community surveys to in-depth reef health and impact assessments — empowering participants with the knowledge and tools to merge science, tourism, and stewardship in action.
Max Allen Jnr from Freedom Fast Cats said…
“The Eye on the Reef Program has given us a deeper understanding of how the reefs in our area are tracking and how we can play a more active role in their protection. The training helped us connect what we observe daily with meaningful science — turning those observations into valuable data that supports Reef Authority’s ongoing reef health monitoring. It’s also been a great way for us to share our passion for reef stewardship with our guests and help them understand the importance of caring for the Great Barrier Reef.”
Brenda Cook from Freedom Fast Cats said…
“The Eye On The Reef Training was incredible – two full days spent in the water, learning to survey reef impacts and identify important animals that tell us how well a reef is doing. We also learned how to involve future guests in these surveys so that we can enhance their understanding of the reef ecosystem and give them a way of actively helping to save our reefs for future generations.”
Jenn Mayes from Keppel Dive and Water Sports said…
“It was a great and informative session; allowing us to share our existing knowledge and contribute valuable data from the surveys we’ve been conducting over the past few years. Now, being able to train others to complete these surveys means we can help collect even more valuable data on reef health.”
Capricorn Enterprise CEO, Mary Carroll, said the participation of local operators in Eye on the Reef demonstrates the region’s commitment to continual improvement and collaboration.
“Our operators continue to raise the bar when it comes to reef stewardship and sustainability,” Mary said.
“By investing in programs like Eye on the Reef, they’re not only improving their own capacity but strengthening our destination as a whole.”
“The Capricorn Coast’s Ecotourism Destination Certification reflects a collective effort to protect what makes our region so special — and this ongoing commitment to learning, sharing, and improving ensures we remain a leader in sustainable tourism on the Great Barrier Reef.”
The Capricorn Coast’s ongoing involvement in programs like Eye on the Reef and the Tourism Reef Protection Initiative reinforces the region’s deep commitment to sustainability and education — core pillars of its Ecotourism Destination Certification.
Through these collaborations, local operators continue to champion the Great Barrier Reef’s story, ensuring its wonders can be experienced responsibly and preserved for the future.
