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- Action of the Month: Take a look at something different!
- News from the Field
- Books and Podcasts
- Current Coral Affairs
- Get With the Program
Take a look at something different!
We all know our oceans are fragile and coral reproduction is slow but coral spawning is a fascinating and vital event for marine ecosystems, particularly on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This phenomenon typically occurs around November and December, coinciding with the full moon, when conditions like water temperature and lunar cycles align perfectly.
During coral spawning, many species of coral release eggs and sperm into the water simultaneously, creating a spectacular underwater display. This event is crucial for reproduction and the genetic diversity of coral populations. The fertilized eggs develop into larvae, which eventually settle and form new coral colonies.
The timing of the spawning can vary slightly each year based on environmental factors, but it's a remarkable sight for divers and marine enthusiasts. It's also a critical moment for conservation efforts, as coral reefs face significant threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Understanding and protecting these spawning events is vital for maintaining the health of these ecosystems.
Our teams will be helping out again this year with deployment of coral spawn to degraded sections of reef. If you're planning to witness this event, be sure to check local resources for the best times and locations. It’s an incredible opportunity to appreciate the beauty and complexity of marine life! and then tell everyone about it!.
News from the field
Stories and updates from our teams out & about.
South East Queensland
Plastic Free July
Written by Jessi Medley, a survey Diver in training
Today a collaboration of like minded people shared their passion, earth saving tips and education with the general public for Plastic Free July. This event is held once a year, every year, and hosted by Visionary Ocean Warriors with the support of Sunshine Coast Council and a variety of local community groups and businesses.
This year I was lucky enough to be a part of the Reef Check Australia Team and had the opportunity to raise reef awareness with the event attendees. The collaboration with other like minded groups who are raising awareness of their own unique causes creates a buzz of atmosphere as they all directly march towards the same goal; reduce rubbish, keep our land and oceans clean and protect those organisms, animals and coral that depend on a healthy environment. Today the community came together and swapped stories and educated those who were curious or wanted to know more.
Nearly all the organisations run on volunteers or individuals to keep the awareness alive. It doesn’t matter how little or how much knowledge you have about the ocean or our environment, raising awareness of it’s importance is a key part for its survival.
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 Partnerships Grant.
Next Generation Project Management Community of Practice: Pushing Boundaries and New Frontiers - Jodi Salmond
This week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at the "Next Generation" event, addressing a room full of high-performing individuals from across the Sunshine Coast.
Upon entering, I noticed the lack of women in the room. While this can be common in certain fields, it can also be the opposite. My talk focused on women in leadership and my journey with both Reef Check Australia and Homeward Bound. Speaking to a room full of project managers about not-for-profits and women in leadership was bound to be a bit different and potentially challenge the status quo, which is exactly the conversation I was hoping to start.
It's not every day that you get the chance, as a woman, to address the realities of gender inequality in the workplace—or simply highlight that women were a minority in the room. I cherished this opportunity to connect with a diverse group of individuals I wouldn't normally meet.
During my talk, I shared insights from my experiences with Homeward Bound and Reef Check Australia, along with the leadership lessons I've learned throughout my marine-focused and travel-based career. It was inspiring to hear from other talented speakers about projects far removed from my own, such as large construction projects, the aquarium industry, and the future of smart homes.
The highlights of the day were twofold: first, seeing friendly faces in the audience that were a delightful surprise, and second, having both women and men approach me after the talk. They expressed how inspired they were and shared their hopes for a more inclusive future. It was particularly heartening to hear from women in male-dominated industries eager to see a more inclusive outlook and leadership that values vulnerability as a strength.
I truly enjoyed engaging with a group I don't often interact with and making new connections. I'm excited about sharing our local marine environment with people who may not have known how amazing it is on our doorstep. The potential for collaboration, where both men and women work together for a sustainable and environmentally friendly future, is inspiring. Let's continue to push boundaries and create a world where construction and the environment can coexist harmoniously.
Moreton Bay Research Station Open Day
By volunteer ambassador, Steph King
"In August, Adrienne, Patrick, and I attended the Moreton Bay Research Station open day. We began with an Aboriginal heritage talk that deepened our understanding of the island's cultural significance. We also spoke to visitors about Reef Check's vital work in monitoring coral reefs and engaging the community in conservation. The day included talks on manta rays and koala preservation, as well as hands-on activities like observing marine creatures under a microscope. Connecting with like-minded individuals and promoting Reef Check’s mission was a fantastic way to raise awareness and encourage others to protect our marine ecosystems.
This open day offered a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and get involved in meaningful conservation efforts”.
Our enormous thanks to these amazing volunteers without whom we could not achieve our goals. We acknowledge the Quandamooka people of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country on which these activities took place. We pay our respects to their elders past, present, and future.
Our attendance at this event is supported by the Port of Brisbane.
Moreton Bay, Mud Island - Winter Reef Health Surveys
Written by Team Leader. Jodi Salmond
🌿🌊 Mud Island, Coral Galore Reef Health Survey - August 2024 ❄️✨
Our recent survey took us to Coral Galore at Mud Island, one of my personal favourite sites. Nestled in shallow waters of just 3 to 4 metres, this site stands out for its remarkable coral coverage, boasting what might be the highest density of coral among our Port of Brisbane monitoring locations.
Despite the impressive coral presence, we observed some notable changes from summer to winter. The amount of silt decreased significantly, which is a positive development for the reef's health. However, there was an increase in nutrient indicator algae, and we recorded a small amount of coral bleaching. Specifically, individual coral colonies showed bleaching ranging from 20% to 73%, though only 2% of the overall coral population was affected.
Unfortunately, like our other winter survey sites, no target fish species were recorded. We did, however, find eight Drupella snails and a variety of nudibranchs, adding a splash of colour to our survey.
These observations highlight both the resilience and the challenges faced by Coral Galore. Our ongoing monitoring, supported by the Port of Brisbane, is essential in understanding these dynamic changes and guiding our conservation efforts.
A big thank you to Wet Boat Hire for their support in getting us to our survey sites and to our dedicated team of volunteers who continue to contribute their time and expertise.
We acknowledge the Quandamooka people of Bangamba (Mud Island), Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country on which these activities took place. We pay our respects to their elders past, present, and future.
By Team Leader, Jodi Salmond
🌿🌊 Mud Island, Rubble Patch - Winter Survey 2024 ❄️✨
In early August, our Reef Check Australia team visited Rubble Patch off Mud Island for our winter survey. We were greeted with clear skies and calm conditions, though the chilly water reminded us that winter was still in full swing.
The site lived up to its name with plenty of rubble on the seafloor. We noted an increase in nutrient indicator algae compared to summer, while the amount of silt had significantly decreased, providing a clearer view of the underwater environment. Among our findings, we recorded a small amount of soft coral and observed a discarded crab pot complete with entangled netting, highlighting the ongoing issue of marine debris in our waters.
Despite these improvements, we continued to find no target fish species, which is a trend we’re keeping an eye on. A few Drupella snails were the only target invertebrate recorded. This highlights the importance of our ongoing surveys to detect and understand these changes over time.
Our work is supported by the Port of Brisbane as part of their environmental monitoring program. We extend our thanks to Wet Boat Hire for their assistance in getting us to the site, and to our dedicated volunteers who braved the cooler waters to contribute to our research.
We acknowledge the Quandamooka people of Bangamba (Mud Island), Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country on which these activities took place. We pay our respects to their elders past, present, and future.
Mudjimba Island - The Wall - Reef Health Survey
Our Reef Check Australia team returned to the middle site on the southern side of Mudjimba Island, known as "The Wall S3," for our annual reef health monitoring of the site. This site, sitting at 6m on the reef slope, has been monitored for over a decade. Dominated by encrusting hard corals, soft corals, anemones, and various invertebrates, the reef remains a dynamic environment.
This is our first reef health survey at this site since the installation of the no anchor markers. During our survey, we noted several examples of coral bleaching, including both hard and soft corals. We also found a bleached anemone; unusual for this site. We recorded a few pieces of fishing line and general trash, drupella snails (a coral eating snail) and 2 examples of recently broken coral. We were lucky enough to record a wobbegong, a curious octopus, and numerous nudibranchs and sea stars. For the first time since diving this site we did not come across any turtles.
A special thanks to Blue Tortuga Adventures for their continued support and to all our incredible volunteers—your contributions make this essential work possible!
We acknowledge the Kabi Kabi people of the Sunshine Coast, Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country, 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.
Donation from Huskee
Huskee is pleased to announce it raised $1,500 for the Reef Check Australia Foundation as part of its Plastic Free July campaign. The Huskee team chose to raise funds for the Reef Check Australia Foundation as they align with our mission to reduce single-use plastic waste and protect our oceans.
We would like to thank Huskee for their kind donation.
Books and podcasts
Have you read or listened to something lately that you would like to share? Let us know and we can feature it here
Sing Like Fish by Amorina Kingdon
If you think the ocean is silent you are in for a surprise. In this book Amorina looks at historical and current research to enlighten the reader on sounds of the ocean.
Current Coral Affairs
Check out some of the latest news and research about our ocean
Three types of Great White Shark?
Apparently there are three distinct types of great white shark.
Read now in: Dive Magazine
Manta Rays!
Find out what Project Manta has been up to.
Read now in: Australian Geographic
Get with the Program
Here's what we've got coming up in the next few weeks, keep checking the website for more updates.
Mon 11 Nov | Online surveyor training begins - see website for more details.
Plus there will be lots more coming up soon so remember to follow us on socials.
Whilst things have taken a back seat on the Coast to Corals talks, remember you can always watch past episodes by taking a look at our YouTube Channel here
and don't forget our annual reports by region are available on our website!
Thanks for reading! If you want to help our work to empower more people to protect Australian reefs, please consider making a monthly tax-deductible donation.
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