As the recent passing of John Rumney, all who know him recall his pioneering approach to ecotourism and conservation on the Great Barrier Reef. JR’s life dedication reminds us that we are all responsible for bequeathing our natural heritage to future generations.
Anyone who cares about the Great Barrier Reef and its well-being and protection knows who John Rumney is. His name is synonymous with reef ecotourism and conservation as he dedicated his life to explore and safeguard the Great Barrier Reef.
JR created the earliest ecotourism ventures on the GBR before ecotourism has become an accepted practice. His model combined scientific research, tourism, and adventure. For many years he gave tourists and scientists the opportunity to explore the reef and he witnessed firsthand the decline of the world’s most renowned coral reef.
“The more fish I saw disappearing, the more moved I felt to do something about it.”
John Rumney
His leading-edge approach to tourism on the Great Barrier Reef made him understand that well-managed and sustainable tourism activities have much more to gain than to lose: responsible tourists visiting a place can actually making a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy.
Ecotourism is the economic driver to safe the reef.
Sustainable tourism occurs when like-minded people are coming from around the world to visit the GBR and are interested in a more honest look into the place. Responsible tourists are motivated to contribute to protecting precious natural resources and are more conscious of their choices. They are encouraged to experience ethical interaction with animals with a lower ecological impact, allowing wildlife to stay wild.
John Rumney offered ecotourism experiences to many people from all over the world who had the opportunity to swim with the ocean’s most magnificent wild creatures and help them thrive. He facilitated reef research through ecotourism by establishing Eye to Eye Marine Encounters, a research and tourism operation.
He supported numerous reef research projects by allowing researchers access to remote places across the GBR on board the vessel Undersea Explorer. His cost-effective method of operating a research vessel was an excellent way to share the benefits among all stakeholders. Besides tourism’s financial support, this activity fostered awareness about the GBR ecosystem and wildlife and the vital actions to ensure coral reefs’ future survival worldwide.
JR valued the relationship between science and tourism through scientific interpretation that delivers quality content for tourism consumption while making the public more engaged and informed.
He treasured the importance of education and the related social benefits that ultimately foster environmental conservation and advocacy activities.
Environmental education facilitates connections between research findings and everyday conservation practices that trigger actions required to solve concretely global ecological issues.
Moreover, well-informed people adopt more environmentally sensitive attitudes and actions, such as cleaning up marine debris, planting coral reefs, donations, etc.
Great Barrier Reef advocate and ambassador for life
John’s advocacy efforts paved the way to improve the standards under which tourism operates on the Great Barrier Reef. The improvements aim to ensure the reef’s protection and resilience of the Australian Far Northern Region’s coastal communities.
With his kind charisma, JR made decision-makers aware of the risks the reefs were going through and encouraged them to take positive actions to develop more sustainability.
He knew the importance of providing information and evidence to support his argument. By supporting several research projects, consulting councils for climate change panels, working alongside and being featured in many television programs and documentaries, sitting on countless boards and committees, John relentlessly tried everything to influence positive change among those in a position of power.
John’s passion and enthusiasm for the natural world were contagious. Those who met him and experienced the Great Barrier Reef under his guidance inevitably became a reef advocate and ambassador for life.
In an interview, John refers to the loss of biodiversity, coral bleaching, and issues related to climate change: “It is not a political party issue; this is a human issue. When you don’t know, you don’t know, but once you know, you become responsible because you are aware of the issue. And we now know about carbon emission issues, and it’s time that all together we address this problem.”
Team up with good people and bring together professionals in marine science, tourism, education, and multimedia were all part of John’s vision to create positive and lasting outcomes for the environment.
https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/podcast/john-rumney-tourism-vs-great-barrier-reef/
“Only together, ther are no Barriers too Great to save our Reef”.
JR’s commitment to the Great Barrier Reef conservation led toward the foundation of Great Barrier Reef Legacy, an organization of enthusiastic and motivated professionals and volunteers that work for the long-term survival of the precious and exceptional ecosystem through research.
By providing access and support for the reef science, John’s initiative aims to offer solutions for researchers, educators, and the worldwide community to act on climate-related issues rapidly affecting the reefs.
Of great significance is John Rumney’s vision of saving our world natural heritage through informed, impact-driven ecotourism activities and research projects that enable broad-scale biodiversity awareness towards conservation and nature advocacy.
The benefits of an ecotourism model that engage with volunteers, researchers, and tourists make responsible choices when traveling go beyond the only economic return of a few. Ultimately a safe, natural environment provides wealth to an entire community.
For those looking to dedicate both their time and funds towards something meaningful, responsible tourism is a great opportunity that shows tangible positive aspects. However, it is essential to thoroughly investigate when choosing companies and organizations claiming to offer genuine ecotourism experiences, especially within the nature and wildlife conservation sector.
The model of responsible ecotourism that includes volunteer support in conservation projects should embrace the following aspects:
- An organization involved in wildlife and nature conservation should be recognized for their conservation work, focus in a specific region and, be committed in the long run.
- Small group of volunteers allow direct involvement with essential conservation tasks and will enable volunteers to work with experienced people involved in the conservation project. Additionally, a small group of volunteers doesn’t detract from local employment.
- Wildlife conservation should ensure that wild animals live in their natural habitats and, interactions with wild animals are limited. Breeding wild animals in “sanctuaries” is not conservation and, in many cases, fuels trophy hunting or trades of animals and animal parts. An authentic conservation experience is not a glorified holiday.
Supporting conservation work in the Great Barrier Reef by people like John to save a threatened environment and its wildlife is remarkable. Anyone can contribute by getting involved in some critical work carried out on the ground…and underwater by the professionals.
John Rumney proved that it is possible to make positive changes while having fun and dreaming of a better world for everyone. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him all people involved in conservation tourism.