Coral reef ecosystems are facing inevitable environmental change and additional management approaches are needed to help them prepare for a climate changed future. Yet, for such approaches to influence long-term reef conservation and management, decision makers must be ready to consider future change and uncertainty throughout the decision-making process. Using the values-rules-knowledge (VRK) perspective, this study examines the decision-making context on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) at a time when new, and potentially riskier, management interventions, such as reef restoration, were being considered and reflects whether the decision context was suited to the challenges facing the GBR at the time. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders involved in managing and protecting the GBR, as well as participant observation at the Great Barrier Reef Restoration Symposium 2018. Qualitative analysis reveals that the decision context was partially aligned to the emerging situation on the GBR but inhibited by interacting social and political factors. This study provides essential baseline data to measure the decision context for future reef restoration activities.
Waters, YL
Establishing a baseline decision context for restoring the Great Barrier Reef - Implications for long-term management
Marine Policy