Meet the Authority
Independent chair
Dr Russell Reichelt AO
Dr Reichelt was appointed an Officer (AO) in the 2021 Order of Australia awards for distinguished service to marine conservation, to ecosystem management of the Great Barrier Reef, and to climate change research.
Dr Reichelt is highly respected and has extensive experience in marine science, policy and ocean management, particularly in marine parks, tourism and fisheries.
During his 11 years as Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority he built partnerships with numerous government departments, tourism, fisheries, farming, local government, traditional owners, scientific agencies and the not-for-profit sector. During his tenure, the Authority designed and produced the Reef Outlook Report in 2009
Dr Reichelt is currently the Australian Prime Minister’s representative on the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy – a 14 country consortium committed to both a healthy ocean and sustainable ocean economy.
He is a board member of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and the Climate Change Authority.
He has served on the board of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and chaired Australia’s Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the National Oceans Advisory Group that advised a panel of five Australian cabinet ministers on establishing the world’s first oceans policy in 1998.
He chaired CSIRO's Wealth from Oceans Flagship Advisory Committee.
Dr Reichelt’ s technical background is marine science, fisheries management, ocean policy and management for conservation and sustainable use. He is a keen recreational diver, sailor and fisherman.
Authority members
- Anthea Tinney - Chair Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel
Exofficio members
There are four NSW government agencies that have key responsibilities for managing the marine estate and providing advice to the NSW Government. These four agencies are members of the Marine Estate Management Authority.