REEF CHAT

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
February 2018

 
   
 
  
 
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News on the Reef

 
 
 
 
 
 

More than 50 Great Barrier Reef boats have taken the pledge to remain straw-free following a campaign by Cairns marine biologist Nicole Nash (left). The founder of the Last Straw on the Great Barrier Reef is showing the world that straws really do suck. "Why use a straw for one minute when it will survive longer than your lifetime. Plastic that will outlive all of us accounts for 75-95% of marine debris found on the Great Barrier Reef which is why we need to reduce the use of single use plastics," she said.

>> Watch the video to find out more

 
 

Spotlight on Stonehenge

 
 

By Divers Den’s AquaQuest

Location: Agincourt Reef, 65 km north-east of Port Douglas.


Highlights:  Giant clams are abundant at Stonehenge with mature clams up to 80 years old measuring one metre across. There is a large population of juvenile clams growing alongside them. White tip reef sharks are frequently spotted on drift dives at the northern end of the reef system.  Snorkellers can easily see anemonefish at the top edge of the reef and the biggest surprise is a community of cuttlefish. Agincourt has walls and sandy gullies which are beautiful to explore. The top of the reef is exposed at low tide revealing large rock structures which gently drop away into 15 metres of water.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Health:  Stonehenge is very healthy with an abundance of coral coverage. There is evidence of bleaching on Agincourt Reef from last year, but most of the coral has recovered and there are signs of rejuvenation after the last coral spawning event.

 
   
   
 

People on the Reef

A diver since the age of 15, Brooke Rigby counts many extraordinary Great Barrier Reef experiences as her favourites. She's had a whale shark cruise past her while diving at Opal Reef, snorkelled with manta rays off Tongue Reef, swum with turtles at Low Isles, encountered humpback whales and seen hundreds of sharks. The course co-ordinator of Far North Training & Consultancy is embarking on her next challenge - to run a 

 
 
 
 
 
 

course combining diving and tourism skills. The training organisation will work with Scuba IQ and  Tropical Journeys to deliver the first course of its kind in the region, a Certificate III Tourism with Open Water Diving designed for experienced hospitality workers keen to gain the skills necessary to work on reef tour boats.  >> Read media release

 
   
   
 

Reef Initiatives on the Land

 
 

Interactive maps and local knowledge has helped farmers, technical experts, industry and community members to "walk" local landscapes and better understand how water catchment systems work earlier. Organised by the Wet Tropics Major Integrated Project (MIP) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Science's Queensland Wetlands Program, the workshops brought together hundreds of years of knowledge of the Tully and Johnstone catchments. Johnstone Basin Coordinator Sandra Henrich said the MIP was a Reef water quality project with a 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Cane farmer Vince Nicotra talking to the MIP’s Fiona George about landscape changes.

 
 

difference. "We've known right from the start that the people who live and work here are the best people to decide what happens in the catchment.”   >> Read more here

 
   
   
 

Marine Science Update

 
 

Australia's leading research organisations will unite to design ways to build resilience and repair the Great Barrier Reef.

 
   
 

The Great Barrier Reef is valued at $56 billion as an Australian economic, social and iconic asset. Image of Green Island courtesy Nicole Nash.

 
   
 

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) will lead a $6 million concept feasibility phase with CSIRO and other partners, including the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority, Great Barrier Reef Foundation, James Cook University, The University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology to develop a new substantive Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program. AIMS CEO Dr Paul Hardisty said they had the brightest scientists and engineers working at the cutting edge of innovation to investigate ways to help reefs adapt to warming temperatures.   >> Read media release here

 
   
   
   
 

📱Getting Social on the Reef

 
 
  
 
   
 

Star power helped show the Great Barrier Reef to the world last month. More than half a million people liked Hollywood superstar Will Smith's Instagram post showing him swimming with a potato cod at Lizard Island. 


willsmith Another one checked off of my Bucket List... Scuba Diving at the Great Barrier Reef! That fish was a whole lot scarier in-person.


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.

 
 
   
 

Reef Management Update

 
   
 

The Great Barrier Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is promoting five actions to encourage everyone to make a pledge to look after the environment. GBRMPA acting Chairman Dr Simon Banks said everyone could get involved in the International Year of the Coral Reef through simple actions at home, work and school.

The actions are:

 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Reduce electricity use - turn off power at the wall when not in use and use energy efficient appliances and LED light fittings.
  • Consider using renewable energy - install solar power and hot water and purchase green power if available.
  • Stop using single-use coffee cups and straws - bring your own reusable coffee cups and say no to single-use straws.
  • Consider leaving your car at home - ride, walk, carpool or use public transport, and consider vehicles with improved fuel efficiency.
  • Reduce use of plastic - do a waste audit to see how much plastic you're using and where you can minimise it, for example take reusable containers for your lunch, reusable shopping bags, or purchase bulk foods.

>> Read media release here

 
   
   
 

Learn more...

 
 

An international team led by a James Cook University scientist has found that contact with plastic waste massively increases the chance of disease in corals.

 
   
   
 


A deep water sensor has been installed off Green Island to monitor water quality and temperature giving real-time data on the Great Barrier Reef's health.

 
   
 


New coral colonies have been accelerated on the Great Barrier Reef using 'baby corals' conceived through a project funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

 
 
   
 
 

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