Support Local this Christmas

News from the field

Stories and updates from our teams out & about. Check out some of these regional stories on our website!

South East Queensland

Gold Coast - Palm Beach Reef Surveys

A quick window of good weather in August meant an opportunity to conduct a survey at Palm Beach Reef (site 1), so our mighty team of surveyors from all over Southeast Queensland jumped at the chance to get in the water and check in on the health of these local reefs.

Palm Beach reef is an extensive rocky reef made up of numerous ridges and gullies, located 800-1000m off shore. The reef has patchy hard coral cover and hosts a high number of benthic invertebrates such as sponges, ascidians and anemones. It also has a notably high abundance of sea urchins, wobbegongs and nudibranchs.

Reef Check Australia has been monitoring Southeast Queensland reefs since 2007, and Palm Beach Reef since 2007 as funds allow, to gain a better understanding of the subtropical reefs in the Gold Coast subregion.

The site was host to numerous anemones (339 on this site alone!) along with a large number of urchins (Diadema; a long spined sea urchin, collector urchins and pencil urchins; all target species for Reef Check Australia).  The benthic survey shows an increase in the amount of Nutrient Indicator Algae (from 0.6% in October 2022, to over 10% in August 2023), as well as a decrease in the amount of Soft Coral observed, and an increase in rubble. Wobbegongs and reef rays were found along the transect along with a selection of nudibranchs.

Reef Check Acknowledge the people of the Yugambeh language region of the Gold Coast, Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country on which these activities took place and we pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

This project has received funding support from The City of Gold Coasts Catchment and Citizen Science Grants Program.

Wavebreak Island Reef Health Survey, August 2023

A minimal tide, clear calm waters and sunshine meant all systems go for the Reef Check Australia in water research team as they headed out on the early morning to visit Wavebreak Island as a part of their annual reef health surveys for the Gold Coast region.

Reef Check Australia has been monitoring Southeast Queensland reefs since 2007, and Wavebreak Island Reef since 2019, as part of a partnership with City of Gold Coast to monitor the health of reefs in the area.

Wavebreak Island is located within the Gold Coast Broadwater (inshore) and is therefore protected from ocean swells. It provides an ideal environment for introductory diving and snorkelling. It's a perfect dive spot for beginners or for someone seeking calmer conditions. The rocky scree environment allows diver's to navigate in both shallow and deep depths, however divers should take care diving here on anything other than a slack tide, as the water can move quickly around the rock wall. The rock formation to the north of the island is an ideal area to explore as it's home to numerous sponges, and a small number of corals. A huge number of fish are found here, resulting in this site being heavily utilised by fishermen, divers and snorkelers alike.

Plenty of surgeon fish and a few bream were sighted during the survey. As the site is characterised by rocky rubble on a sandy bottom, there was no coral recorded on the substrate transect however several were noted and photographed within the area. Several large stonefish, a wobbegong and a cleaner shrimp, plus several collector urchins and long spined sea urchins were also recorded at the stie.

There was a huge amount of marine debris recorded, including 4 fishing rods, a camp chair, cable ties, glass bottles, tuna cans, drink lids, material, a snorkel and over 60m of fishing line noted, and where possible, removed. Noting how much debris weas recorded here, we will host a clean up specifically for this site in the near future, so stay tuned if you wish to join.

Big thanks to Gold Coast Dive Adventures for getting to the site!

Reef Check Acknowledge the people of the Yugambeh language region of the Gold Coast, Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country on which these activities took place and we pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

This project has received funding support from The City of Gold Coasts Catchment and Citizen Science Grants Program.

Sunshine Coast - Currimundi, Reef Health Survey, September 2023

After several reschedules due to weather, the conditions were stunning for one glorious day, so the Reef Check Australia team jumped at the chance to check out our site at Currimundi. Currimundi Reef is situated on a flat exposed rocky outcrop area, off the Currimundi Coast.

Reef Check Australia has been monitoring this reef for reef health since 2009. Our 2 sites sit at around 9m and are located on the reef flat dominated by leathery soft corals, encrusting hard coral, bryozoans and other benthic invertebrates. Although starting at the same point as Site 1, Site 2 runs west, whilst Site 1 runs east. Whilst similar the 2 sites offer different amounts of coral cover.

Surface conditions and visibility was great, with a bit of surge under the water. The substrate at this site consists of rock with turf algae and scattered hard and soft corals, along with calcareous algae which acts like a cement to hold the reef together. On both sites we encountered a large amount of Asparagopsis algae which is very unusual. Our team recorded 101 counts of this macroalgae during the two point-intercept substrate surveys. Coral bleaching was only recorded on two transects at Site 1 and one transect at Site 2, but at only 1% of the population,  levels were low. Numerous non-target fish were observed, and we recorded 19 butterflyfish and 3 snapper during our fish survey. Despite the popularity of the area for fishing, the only impact recorded was one unknown coral scar.

We were also lucky enough to spot several species of nudibranch and the largest sea hare we have ever seen!

Thank you to Blue Tortuga Adventures for getting us to site and a big thank you to all of our surveyors! These vital reef health surveys are not possible without our amazing volunteers, so thankyou for all that you do!

Reef Check Acknowledge the Kabi Kabi people of the Sunshine Coast, Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country on which these activities took place, and we pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

This project is supported by the Sunshine Coast Council’s Environmental Levy Partnerships Grant.

Gold Coast Whale Festival

Reef Check Australia was thrilled to host a stall the amazing Whale Festival on August the 12th at Burleigh Heads' Justin Park, right by the surf club and overlooking the beach and majestic whales passing by. This day marked an inspiring blend of community passion and environmental action. Collaborating with a line-up of NGOs and organisations such as Sea Shepherd, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Sea World Foundation, Ocean Connect, The Griffith Marine Megafauna Lab, Sharks and Rays Australia, Gold Coast City Council, Ocean Connect and many more we united under the banner of marine conservation.

The event embraced diverse initiatives - from a simultaneous beach cleanup to captivating scientific talks by marine megafauna experts. The heart of the event resonated with sharing knowledge and inspiring real change. Talks focused on various marine topics and engaging discussions, which encouraged and empowered Gold Coast locals to integrate conservation practices into their daily lives.

Our combined efforts resulted in an unforgettable day- sunny skies, happy hearts, and a cleaner shoreline. The event saw hundreds of enthusiastic participants engaging in beach cleanup activities that removed litter deposited by beachgoers and marine debris washed up! Every piece of trash collected added valuable data to the Australian Marine Debris Initiative, contributing to vital research on marine pollution.

We thank Humpbacks and Highrises for orchestrating the fantastic event that seamlessly blended education, inspiration, and fun. With captivating scientific talks, practical conservation tips, and a touch of sun, this event was a perfect recipe for a meaningful weekend. Let's continue to make waves of change and protect our oceans for generations to come.

Remember, every little bit counts.  If you see rubbish on the beach; pick it up.  Together, we can and will make an ocean of difference.

Reef Check Acknowledge the Kombumerri & Yugambeh people of the Gold Coast, Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country on which these activities took place and we pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

This project has received funding support from The City of Gold Coasts Catchment and Citizen Science Grants Program.

Sunshine Coast - Plastic Free Sea Festival 

On a windy September day dotted with patchy rain and bursts of sunshine, a crowd of committed volunteers gathered across Happy Valley in Caloundra, the old dry river mouth of Pumicestone Passage, and parts of North Bribie Island. This impressive gathering was orchestrated by Visionary Ocean Warriors, in collaboration with multiple organisations including the Envoy Foundation, Sunshine Coast Council, TurtleCare, and Take Action for Pumicestone Passage & EnviroComm. Each group offered educational stalls with informative material on local conservation initiatives. The collective purpose of the event was not just to clean up but also to educate the community on the vital role they play in safeguarding their local marine environment.

Despite the challenging weather, the event drew in 73 volunteers who together collected over 60kg of marine debris. All collected waste was meticulously categorised, weighed, and the data uploaded into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative database for future research. The river mouths in the cleanup areas were identified as hotspots for marine debris, owing to their flat terrains that facilitate the transportation of waste by oceanic currents and winds. A significant amount of the rubbish also came from the high numbers of tourists visiting the region, highlighting the pressing need for frequent clean-up efforts in these areas.

The event concluded with a unique twist—each volunteer had the opportunity to go 'thrifting' through a donated assortment of clothes, books, and miscellaneous items as a token of appreciation for their hard work. In the end, it wasn't just about cleaning the beaches; it was about fostering a community spirit centred around conservation. Remember, every individual contribution counts in the larger battle against marine pollution. By being conscientious about our habits and involving ourselves in community-driven projects like this, we are not just cleaning up; we're also laying down a foundation for a cleaner, healthier future for our oceans and marine life.

Remember, every little bit counts.  If you see rubbish on the beach; pick it up.  Together, we can and will make an ocean of difference.

Reef Check Acknowledge the Kabi Kabi people of the Sunshine Coast, Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country on which these activities took place and we pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

This project is supported by the Sunshine Coast Councils Environment Levy Partnership Grant.

Great Barrier Reef

Nelly Bay Underwater Clean Up

In late September we finally caught a break from the strong winds and were able to head to Magnetic Island to conduct our biannual underwater marine debris clean-up at Nelly Bay. Being a mid-week event planned last-minute to take advantage of the conditions, we were only able to gather together a small but mighty team of two volunteer divers – one Reef Check surveyor and one ambassador, along with our amazing team leader Aimee. This was our new ambassadors first time diving our local reefs on Magnetic Island, and she was pleasantly surprised to see how clean they were, with not one piece of debris found during their 40 minute scuba dive! Given this location is a fairly popular snorkel site with a snorkel trail leading through the coral reef, and around a dozen snorkellers there at the time of our clean up, it was great to see how pristine this reef is.

We would like to say a massive thank you our volunteers Rachelle and Marika for squeezing in this clean up during their busy schedules to help keep our reefs clean! This project is supported by Tangaroa Blue through ReefClean; a project funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust. ReefClean is a project to remove and reduce marine debris impacting the Great Barrier Reef.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on where these activities take place, the Wulgurukaba people. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in our community today.

Rowes Bay Sustainability Stall

On September 17th Reef Check Australia was invited to hold a stall at the Rowes Bay Sustainability Centre Open Day, an event for locals to learn how to be more sustainable and resilient in order to help our environment. This was a great opportunity for new ambassador Nadja to complete her training and attend her first event! Nadja got to put all she learnt about RCA into action while chatting to people of all ages visiting our stall, educating them about who we are, what we do, and small measures people can take to help protect our local reefs. It was great to see a diverse range of locals interested in taking measures to live a more sustainable life!

Thank you to Townsville City Council for organising this event. Our attendance at this event was made possible by funding support from Townsville City Council through the Creek to Coral program.

We acknowledge the Bindal and Wulgurukaba People, the traditional custodians of the land on which this event took place, and their elders past, present and emerging.

Black Island Reef Health Survey

After weeks and weeks of strong winds our team was able to get out to Black Island Reef (Whitsundays) in beautiful conditions. Our aim was to conduct our annual Reef Check Australia, Reef Health Surveys, along with Eye of the Reef Rapid Surveys and CoralWatch. This site was set up in 2021 as a site of interest linked to the Boats 4 Coral project and is an area of coral reseeding.

Our team of divers and snorkeller completed these activities and are happy to report the corals appeared healthy with minimal damage observed. Although some bleaching was observed it affected less than 1% of the population and was only recorded on 2 of the 4 transects. Butterflyfish were the most sighted fish with clams being the dominant invertebrate.

Thanks to Aimee, Terry and Deb for helping out, John at Whitsunday Paradise Explorer for getting us to site and Aquadive for supplying the tanks. These surveys were conducted on the traditional lands and sea country of the Ngaro People of the Whitsundays. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Elders past, present and emerging.

This project is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government's Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Hayman Island Blue Pearl Bay Reef Survey 

Taking advantage of the nice weather our team also headed out to Hayman Island, Blue Pearl Bay in beautiful conditions. Our aim once again was to conduct our annual Reef Check Australia, Reef Health Surveys, along with Eye of the Reef Rapid Surveys and CoralWatch. Site 1 was set up as one of Reef Check Australia’s initial survey sites in 2001. Site 3 was added in 2003. Both sites have been monitored since then as funds allow.

Hard coral cover at site 1 has remained reasonably consistent over the last 3 years however has still not recovered to levels observed in 2016, prior to cyclone Debbie. Hard coral cover at site 3 has increased  since 2022, but again has not returned to pre-cyclone levels. Bleaching was observed on all transects at both sites but at less than 1% of the population.  Other coral damage was very low and disease was not recorded. Parrotfish were the most observed target fish at both sites, with butterflyfish and coral trout also observed.

Thanks to John at Whitsunday Paradise Explorer for getting us to site and Aquadive for supplying the tanks. These surveys were conducted on the traditional lands and sea country of the Ngaro People of the Whitsundays. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Elders past, present and emerging.

This project is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government's Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Brain Food

Reviews and details on books, documentaries, and podcasts that we have come across, & wanted to share.

Current Coral Affairs

Check out some of the latest news and research about our ocean

Organisms without brains CAN think
Researchers have found that organisms without a brain can learn.

Read now in: Australian Geographic

A spoonful of sugar makes a better battery

Australian researchers have discovers that simply adding a dash of sugar could improve the life of your electric car's battery.

Read more: Anthropocene Magazine

Get with the Program

Here's what we've got coming up in the next few weeks, keep checking the website for more updates.