THE Great Barrier Reef and adjacent coastal communities have received a massive boost with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull travelling to the Australian Institute of Marine Science near Townsville today to announce a $60 million suite of protection measures.I welcome the move, which will not only safeguard the 64,000 jobs that are supported through reef tourism and infrastructure, but also provide more jobs and investment in the region during implementation.A number of practical measures to protect the Great Barrier Reef have been announced, including a boost to the number of vessels targeting crown-of-thorns starfish, as well as more field officers on the water for monitoring and improved compliance and island management.There is also funding for incentives for our farmers to continue the great work they have been doing in reducing soil erosion, improving nutrient management and restoring vegetation in reef catchment areas.The $60m boost for the Great Barrier Reef will also set in motion a major research and development program for coral reef restoration, and it complements further funding announced by the Environment Minister.There is an additional $4.5m in funding for a number of research projects which will study such things as resilient coral varieties, best coral recovery techniques, and evaluation of wetland conversions to name a few.Minister for the Environment Josh Frydenberg announced these projects under the National Environmental Science Program, and I welcome the immediate economic activity which will be generated by this boost for the Reef, as well as the ongoing protection of its viability.