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About the Cleveland Bay ConsortiumThe Cleveland Bay Consortium is an informal industry/research forum for the discussion of the sustainable use of the environments of Cleveland Bay. Industry and regulatory agencies in the Cleveland Bay region have identified a need for comprehensive information about water, sediment, flora and fauna of the Bay for environmental license applications and future planning for sustainable use of the region. Information from past research is often difficult to find, of variable quality, and is sometimes difficult to apply to current problems and applications. Business, industry, regulatory authorities, and research agencies identified a need for a focus or forum to exchange information, priorities, information needs, and expertise. The first Cleveland Bay Consortium workshop was held in January 1998. The founding members of the CBC included, BHP Cannington, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, MIM Copper Refineries, Northern Shipping and Stevedoring, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Sun Metals, Townsville Port Authority, James Cook University, QNI. All participants agreed that, it is often difficult to determine environmental monitoring requirements, licensing and discharge criteria when there appears to be a general lack of baseline data. The fact of the matter however, is that Cleveland Bay has been extensively studied and there is significant data available on the natural resources and processes of the region. The challenge however has been in identifying these research initiatives, where the data is held and coordinating these initiatives to ensure that the data is available in a single location, or at least to initiate this process. It was important from the outset to recognise the benefits to industry, research organisations and regulatory agencies a like ensuring data availability, efficiencies in research initiatives and improved environmental understanding. This Cleveland Bay Status Report is the first step in providing the information and understanding of all the stakeholders of Cleveland Bay. An exercise of this complexity requires the input from a range of groups and individuals. The commitment by the contributors demonstrates a desire to ensure the sustainable use of Cleveland Bay. This report is not intended to pass judgement on the quality of Cleveland Bay nor is it intended to comment on the quality of the available data. Rather, the Report is a compilation of all the available research data relevant to Cleveland Bay and the region. The report itself has been compiled through the voluntary contributions of individuals and organisations representing researchers, industry and regulatory authorities. To minimise the burden on participating agencies the forum has been established electronically, allowing anyone with a relevant interest to contribute and participate. |
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This page was last updated on Tuesday 14 May 2002 |
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