Last week I was involved with covering Project Spawn 2019 on the Great Barrier Reef. The project was a collaboration between Tourism and Events Queensland, the Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, the scientific community and local tourism operators to create media awareness about this year’s coral spawning event and the various research underway to protect and restore the reef. Based at the Reef Magic Pontoon on Moore Reef, visiting media were briefed on Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) research, reef stabilization works and the Larval Restoration Project, using coral larvae from the spawning event to create new areas of coral growth.
The day was about capturing in images this education process, both on board the pontoon and below the surface, as journalists were immersed in the colourful underwater world. Later that day, we headed out for a night dive, with hopes of witnessing the peak action of this year’s coral spawning. Unfortunately, despite the best predictions, our timing was off for the peak, however we were able to see some spawning activity, as well the diverse marine life active at night on the Great Barrier Reef.
A Master Reef Guide pointing out coral species at Moore Reef
One of the many reefs near Cairns that make up the Great Barrier Reef system
Colourful corals and fish life of Moore Reef
Andy Ridley of Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef
A scientist speaking to journalists about crown-of-thorns-starfish research on the GBR
A COTS researcher with water samples used to determine the prevalence of crown of thorns starfish
COTS worker demonstrating the chemical injection process to kill crown of thorns starfish
A COTS researcher collecting water samples used to determine the prevalence of crown of thorns starfish
Scientists looking at a piece of live coral used for reef restoration projects
Master reef guide talking to snorkellers
A Master Reef Guide pointing out coral species to a snorkeller at Moore Reef
Diver watching the coral spawning action
Master Reef Guide Michelle Barry
A Master Reef Guide talking to passengers about the spawning dive
A moral eel hunting amongst the corals at night
A pair of lionfish amongst the corals at night
A white-tip reef shark hunting amongst the corals at night
Male colonies of coral polyps releasing sperm in a smoky-like cloud
A bumphead parrotfish
