Andrew Simmonds

Growing up in a family active in nature conservation in tropical North Queensland, Australia, Andrew developed a close interest in the region’s creatures great and small and the natural environment in general.

Since those days Andrew has pursued his own natural and cultural history interests through study, work and travel. His university studies in environmental science focused on aquatic and terrestrial ecology, Australian Aboriginal peoples and the co-management of natural resources.

Andrew has worked as first mate, guide and dive instructor on a long-range charter vessel across northern Australia, a marine park ranger and skipper and is now in management of the 344,000 square kilometer Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This work has not only seen Andrew involved in marine monitoring and research programs and working collaboratively with saltwater Aboriginal peoples on management initiatives, but also providing advice and guiding policy and management arrangements with respect to species and biodiversity conservation in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

His life has blended work, travel and adventure through remote marine and terrestrial parts of Central and South America, Borneo, Namibia and Botswana, parts of Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan and of course extensively throughout Australia, where he has been a keen observer of the natural environment.

Andrew’s interest in the science of conservation and natural resource management is underpinned by his love for the sea and wonders of the natural world. It gives him a great sense of privilege and pleasure to share this passion with fellow adventurers.