PROFILE

The Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS) is a world leading coral reef research facility collaboratively working with its partners to enable excellence in scientific research on the Great Barrier Reef. LIRS has an enviable international reputation among coral reef researchers: it provides great research facilities and support in a diverse and well-managed environment and it operates under safe and sensible procedures. Developed for sustainable operations, LIRS has a very low carbon footprint including 95% of electricity produced from the sun. LIRS would not exist without the support of private funding through the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation (LIRRF). 

OUR WORK

Scientists from 40 institutions in 12 countries conducted 87 research projects in 2019 (the last pre-COVID year).

LIRS researchers produce about 100 peer-reviewed publications each year, similar to the output of a medium-sized university school. 

Educational groups spent 1,318 person-days at LIRS in 2019.

LIRRF provided fellowships with a total value of $1,137,000 to 64 PhD students and early-career researchers over the past 10 years. 

LIRRF provided 29 grants with a total value of $575,000 for research in priority areas including plastic pollution and Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) control in the past 10 years.

LIRS is a venue of choice for blue-chip natural history documentary filming.  

SAPPHIRE IMPACT

Sapphire’s funds will support the continuation of the Fellowships, Research Grants and Education Programs, which aids the development of the next generation of marine scientists and managers. It will also help fund the continuation of Crown of Thorns (COTS) control research to handle outbreaks more effectively and save coral by early detection and control. Research equipment and infrastructure is also important. The funds will help support an ongoing annual program to maintain and/or replace boats and other vital infrastructure, which are critical for researchers to work safely and efficiently.