Great Barrier Reef Legacy · 2025–Present
Forever
Reef Project
The world’s first publicly accessible living coral biobank — preserving the genetic biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef for generations to come.
The world’s first publicly accessible living coral biobank — preserving the genetic biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef for generations to come.
Over 50% of the Great Barrier Reef’s coral cover has been lost in recent decades. Bleaching events in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2022 caused catastrophic damage to the northern and central sections. Climate change is accelerating the frequency and severity of these events — and conventional reef restoration, while vital, is too slow to keep pace.
The Forever Reef Project applies a different logic: the same principle that underpins seed banks for terrestrial plants, applied to coral genetics. Collect and preserve living specimens and genetic material from every coral species before they’re permanently lost.
The Forever Reef Project is housed at a purpose-built facility at the Port Douglas Superyacht Marina in North Queensland. Led by Great Barrier Reef Legacy, a not-for-profit built on 35+ years of reef expedition and research experience, the project aims to collect living specimens of all 400 coral species in the Great Barrier Reef and preserve them in a coral ark.
The facility currently houses over one third of the reef’s coral species. Living fragments, tissue samples and DNA are made available for reef research and restoration globally. The project works closely with Traditional Owners — inviting collaboration with all 72 clan groups along the reef — with First Nations Coral Hubs established for Indigenous-led stewardship of Sea Country.
Dr Charlie Veron — the Godfather of Coral, former Chief Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science — has called this “without question, the most important project we can be undertaking for corals and coral reefs.”
I joined the Board of Great Barrier Reef Legacy in 2026, bringing product strategy, digital, and commercial expertise to one of Australia’s most important conservation organisations. Contributing to digital engagement strategy, fundraising capability, and the commercial partnerships needed to sustain and scale the Forever Reef facility.