About
About ReefTO
The Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owner Taskforce (ReefTO) is a Traditional Owner-led, grassroots initiative that honours the decades of work by Elders to assert their cultural authority and rights to sea country, and to drive genuine partnerships across the Reef. In doing so, ReefTO aims to achieve Traditional Owners’ aspirations for the health, management and protection of the Reef and interconnecting Country.
The ReefTO Taskforce
Establishment of the ReefTO Taskforce was a key recommendation in the TO Implementation Plan. Operational since July 2024, the ReefTO Taskforce is responsible for overseeing delivery of the TO Implementation Plan.
ReefTO has three key objectives over the next 2-3 years:
1. Engaging with Traditional Owners on options for a Sea Country Alliance (Reef-wide and regionally) and implementing the preferred option.
2. Overseeing the delivery of strategic policy and capacity building actions in the TO Implementation Plan
while a Sea Country Alliance is being established.
3. Monitoring and reporting on the delivery of Traditional Owner actions in the TO Implementation Plan,
including actions delivered by ReefTO and by other agencies.
In carrying out its functions, the ReefTO Taskforce will always be guided by, and act in the best interests of, Traditional Owners across the Great Barrier Reef.
ReefTO is supported by a Coordination Unit.
ReefTO is hosted by Pollination Foundation until a Sea Country Alliance is set up. This means they provide a range of corporate services like entering into contracts, employing staff and paying service providers.
All cultural authority and strategic responsibility for achieving the goals set remains with the ReefTO Taskforce.