The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) will host a guest lecture on March 21 in memory of our late colleague Richard Kenchington. The event is being held in recognition of Richard's incredible legacy in ocean and coastal governance. It aims to recognise and celebrate the many achievements in marine conservation and management that Richard contributed to.

The evening will include light refreshments and presentations from Emeritus Professor Martin Tsamenyi, PhD candidate Constance Rambourg and a keynote address from Dr Jon Day, previously one of the Directors of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and now Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at James Cook University, Townsville. See below for details of his presentation.

The Great Barrier Reef – why it remains a global benchmark for the management of marine protected areas (and some of the legacies of the late Richard Kenchington that continue to contribute)

Today the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is under pressure, compounded by various environmental, political, social and cultural complexities. However, the GBR still provides a global benchmark for many aspects of marine park management. This presentation will outline some innovative management approaches developed over many decades that have contributed to the GBR Marine Park being widely regarded as an international leader. For example, the comprehensive multiple-use zoning scheme, first advocated by the late Richard Kenchington back in the 1980s, remains a key foundational tool today. Richard was also an enthusiastic champion for public participation in planning, another fundamental aspect of the current management approach.

The existing GBR zoning plan provides a critical foundation for the overall management approach. The current plan has remained in place since its development during a highly controversial rezoning program between 1998-2004. Four significant and interrelated factors contributed to the successful outcome of that rezoning; - a sound scientific basis, effective public engagement, invaluable leadership at many levels, and political support and commitment. These same four factors remain relevant today when major environmental challenges are being addressed elsewhere.

Dr Jon Day PSM

Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, James Cook University

Jon’s professional career commenced in terrestrial national parks. However, the 28 years that Jon was involved with the Great Barrier Reef provided the highlights of his career. Jon first joined the GBR Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) in 1986. In 1990, he moved to the Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service, coordinating island management and Marine Park management for a sizeable part of the GBR. In 1998, Jon returned to GBRMPA when appointed as one of the Directors. For the next 16 years, Jon was variously responsible for biodiversity conservation, park planning, heritage (particularly World Heritage), Indigenous Partnerships, the GBR rezoning and commencing the first GBR Outlook Report. Between 2007-2011, he was one of the three-person Australian delegation formally appointed on the World Heritage Committee. After retiring from GBRMPA in 2014, Jon undertook a post-career PhD, analysing the reasons behind the success of the GBR rezoning. Today Jon still publishes widely, primarily in marine management, climate change and World Heritage matters.