In 1999, a
Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State of Queensland,
Australia and the State of South Carolina, United States, through
the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Office of Governor,
respectively. This allows for various agencies in state government
to enter into Sister-State Friendship Agreements to explore and
develop specific collaborative opportunities. Such agreements
have already been developed for tourism students at universities,
the Department of Commerce, and South Carolina Educational Television
(SCETV).
South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Queensland Parks
and
Wildlife Service were in the process of signing such an agreement
when the current budget prevented funding to bring Dr. Colin
Limpus, a sea turtle scientist, to South Carolina for collaborative
research. Until funding becomes available, collaboration will
continue through the internet. Please visit the Queensland
Sea Turtle Program.