The Project

Title: Whitsunday Reef Islands Initiative

Duration: 2020 – 2026

Project Partners: Central Queensland University (CQU),  Coral Sea Marina 

Funding: Great Barrier Reef Foundation

Summary: The Whitsunday Reef Islands Initiative (WRII) launched in the Whitsundays in 2020, and wrapped up in early 2026. Since 2020, the Initiative has tested innovative coral and seagrass restoration methods under real-world conditions in the Whitsundays; combining science, tourism and local stewardship to strengthen reef resilience.

Objective

The WRII Project had three core objectives:

1. Position the Whitsundays as a recognised global hub for inshore fringing reef stewardship, undertaking a program of activities that is underpinned by an exemplary evidence base to support adaptive management decisions.
2. Ignite a movement for reef restoration and stewardship by piloting new approaches to reef restoration driven and led by local tourism, community and Traditional Owner partners.
3. Support the local tourism industry to pave the way towards a carbon neutral Reef industry – in the Whitsundays, and beyond.

Impact

Over five years, the Initiative has successfully demonstrated what is possible when research, industry, Traditional Owners and natural resource managers work together.

• Regional baseline mapping and environmental modelling were conducted to guide on-ground action
• Novel coral restoration techniques were tested and proven in real-world settings:
  • Coral IVF was shown to be a safe and scalable method of coral restoration that can be carried out by the tourism industry
  • Coral propagation and outplanting delivered promising increases in coral cover at intervention sites
• A seagrass nursery was established to support long-term research and on-ground action, with early reseeding trials significantly increasing seagrass density
• 46 businesses came together to measure reduce their carbon footprint, strengthening the region’s commitment to sustainability.

To find out more about the key achievements, click on the completed projects below.

Legacy

These achievements have laid the foundation for continued, locally-led reef stewardship in the region, ensuring the momentum built through the Initiative will continue well beyond the life of the program. See the (Sea)Grassroots and Inshore Resilience project pages for more information.