Dr Russell Reichelt AO FTSE – Director
Russell has worked in Australian and State agencies in the fields of marine science, fisheries, maritime safety and ocean policy. He has served as Chair of the Fisheries R&D Corporation, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, as a Director of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and as CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science. He is currently Chair of the NSW Marine Estate Management Authority, a board member of the Australian Climate Change Authority and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
His early years were spent sailing, surfing and fishing at Surfers Paradise Qld when the paperbark wetlands were intact, the Nerang River was clear and the annual 1/2 mile long run of migrating mullet was a predictable event.
He respects the rights and culture of indigenous Australians and values their ’traditional knowledge’. He strongly supports the goals of Ozfish because restoration of fish habitats, both salt and fresh water, is important not only for fish production, but for maintaining a healthy natural system for all of us – improving biodiversity, water quality and resilience in the face of climate change. He now lives in the Mudgeeraba Creek valley where freshwater crayfish and platypus are still to be seen. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology Science and Engineering and the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology.