Lyle Squire Jnr has been CEO and director of Cairns Marine for nearly 30 years.
Cairns Marine is one of the world’s leading suppliers of sustainably sourced marine life for aquaria. The firm is dedicated to excellence in marine species collection and has set the global benchmark for best practices in the field.
The firm supplies an extraordinary range of marine life, from sharks, sawfish and rays to smaller fishes and invertebrates. It serves domestic retail outlets, wholesalers and public venues from its location in northern Australia, which is well placed for the well-managed and sustainable environments of the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria. Cairns Marine works directly with its fisheries to develop their management arrangements, is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Marine Aquarium Council certified, and is a GBRMPA Reef Guardian.
One person who nominated Squire said: “Lyle’s unmatched hands-on experience comprises over five thousand dives in diverse marine habitats worldwide, yielding profound insights into ecosystems and inhabitants. This expertise extends to species acquisition, husbandry, sustainable fisheries practices, and environmental stewardship.
“His commitment to responsible practices led to transforming a small marine collection business into a global leader, innovating ethical transportation methods for marine and freshwater species worldwide.
“Lyle’s contributions extend beyond business success. Advocating for sustainable fishing practices through international conferences underscores his dedication to preserving marine ecosystems. Representing Queensland’s Marine Aquarium Fish and Coral fishery at global forums highlights his commitment to responsible collection and environmental stewardship.”
Squire is an adjunct research fellow with James Cook University on the Northern Australian Freshwater Turtle Project and is the president of Pro-Vision Reef, a representative body for the marine aquarium industry on the Great Barrier Reef committed to the stewardship of the marine environment. The organisation’s voluntary schemes outline how the marine aquarium industry will respond to climate change, including a groundbreaking Stewardship Action Plan.