The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and CRC Reef Research Centre will jointly launch a book at 11.30am today presenting the first comprehensive description of the Great Barrier Reef catchment and an estimate of run-off to the Reef based on direct measurements.

This information has not been available previously to the public, and draws on 15 years of original scientific research at AIMS, as well as a range of information sources.

Catchments and Corals is a 334-page book written for accessibility to a range of readers and is intended to be a comprehensive sourcebook for land users and managers, government land, water and reef managers, students, researchers and anyone interested in the Great Barrier Reef. It includes many colour graphs and images.

"The book was produced in-house at AIMS and is a credit to all involved in its production, including researchers and Science Communication staff," said Professor Stephen Hall, AIMS Director.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. Most of the Reef lies within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the largest World Heritage Area and one of the few that meets all five criteria for selection.

"One of the first steps in making sure that degradation of the Great Barrier Reef does not occur is that resource managers and the public understand how our natural systems operate, and how humans can influence the natural world," said Sir Sydney Schubert, Chairman of CRC Reef Research Centre.

The Commonwealth Government recently took joint action with the Queensland Government to safeguard the health of the GBR through a plan to improve land use practices in adjoining catchments and reduce runoff of harmful sediment and nutrients.