Which organisation runs the Great Barrier Reef’s Long-Term Monitoring Program?

The Australian Institute of Marine Science runs the Great Barrier Reef’s Long-Term Monitoring Program. The program surveys reefs repeatedly to track changes in coral cover, crown-of-thorns starfish, and other important indicators.

AIMS is Australia’s national agency for tropical marine science. Its monitoring work provides long-term data rather than relying only on occasional surveys. Scientists use repeated observations from selected reefs to distinguish short-term events, such as cyclones, from broader patterns affecting the ecosystem.

The program is different from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which manages the marine park and its zoning. AIMS supplies scientific research and monitoring, while management decisions involve government agencies, Traditional Owners, researchers, tourism operators, and other stakeholders.