| | REEF CHATTROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
October 2017 | |
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| | | News on the ReefCitizen science activities and clean up initiatives are underway this month as part of ReefBlitz, an annual event encouraging everyone to get involved in catchment and reef health.
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| | Spotlight on Mackay Coral Cay
by Sailaway Cape Tribulation | |
| | Location: Mackay Coral Cay. Visibility: 15m Site: Angels Clam Gardens features 26 giant clams in a variety of vibrant colours. More than 80 years old, the clams are around one metre long and each one is different. There is also a huge Porites lutea coral, known as a flat top, which is nearly 6 metres across. These hard corals are normally light cream in colour, but this one is a dark vibrant blue and has a range of fish living around its base. Clownfish including tomato clownfish and the false clown anemone fish can be seen at this site.
Health: Coral bleaching has been minimal, but there is evidence of Crown of Thorns starfish damage from about six years ago. The staghorn coral is regenerating from this which is improving the fish habitat among the giant clams.
Find out more: http://www.sailawaycapetrib.com | |
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| | | | People on the Reef
Lizard Island has been central to the research of Dr Penny Berents for more than 40 years. The Senior Fellow at the Australian Museum Research Institute participated in the first Australian Museum expedition to Lizard Island...
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| | | | | Reef Initiatives on the LandAn elusive vulnerable mouse species has been recorded in Cairns for the first time. Researcher and environmental consultant Andrew Mitchell recently discovered the native water mouse (Xeromys myoides) in the Cairns mangroves, more than 500km from... Read full story | | | |
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Image: Developing eggs (small white spheres) in a cross section of branch of a hard coral, Acropora millepora. Photo courtesy: AIMS Corals affected by bleaching at Fitzroy Island are producing tiny sacs of white eggs, surprising scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). Coral biologist Dr Neal Cantin and project team leader Dr Line Bay assessed 14 reefs between Cairns and Townsville to check the health of coral affected by bleaching earlier this year. “Previous studies have shown a two to three-year delay in reproduction after severe bleaching, but at most of the reefs we are finding colonies of Acropora (branching hard coral) colonies with early signs of egg development in shallow waters, 3m to 6m deep,” Dr Cantin said. Read more
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| | Getting Social on the Reef | | | |
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Nemo looking brighter than bright against this electric blue anemone at @franklandislands Photo by @andrewwatsonphoto
Be a part of the conversation and share your Great Barrier Reef photos with the world. For the chance to be featured use #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland and #seeaustralia on Instagram.
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Divers working on the Crown of Thorns starfish eradication program. Picture: GBRMPA Why is the Great Barrier Reef considered the best managed reef in the world? The policies and actions by the Australian and Queensland government agencies charged with looking after the marine park and the high standards of eco-certified tourism operators contribute to this best practice management. This includes zoning restricting where various activities may take place in the marine park, education, community awareness and research. Read more | |
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| | Become a Citizen of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s free. | | | |
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| | | | WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTRIBUTE CONTENT TO REEF CHAT! Reef Chat is distributed on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Please submit your Great Barrier Reef news to Reef Chat before the 2nd Thursday of every month. | | | |
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