Whitsundays Reef Resilience Project
Research
Welcome to the Whitsundays Reef Resilience Project
This project is designed to support and develop the active reef restoration community in the Whitsundays region centred around Reef Ecologic’s active project at Blue Pearl and Manta Ray Bay. This page is currently a work in progress and will be updated regularly. Please check back as the project evolves. For further information or to inquire how to get involved please contact nathan.cook@reefecologic.org.
Welcome to the Whitsundays Reef Resilience Project
This page is specifically designed for people who have signed up to participate in Reef Ecologic’s restoration project in the Whitsundays.
Before you get started I highly recommend, watching the video to the left and either now, or at regular intervals. heading to our website and familiarising yourself with the history of the project. Background information and associated videos and reports can be viewed or downloaded from our website.
Download the latest report HERE
Over the last 2-3 years Reef Ecologic have been undertaking a reef restoration research project in the Whitsundays region. Restoration activities have been undertaken in Blue Pearl and Manta Ray Bay. During this time we have set up coral nurseries and used these to replenish degraded reef areas of these two bays, outplanting over 1300 coral colonies in both locations.
Conducting Restoration Monitoring
Initial monitoring trips will likely revolve around familiarising yourself with the site (see images below)
- 1 – Pre-trip: Check in with Reef Ecologic on required tasks. Easiest way is by email or phone. If you are just planning on taking photos and making some observations feel free to skip step 1.
- 2 – Ensure you have enough information to conduct activities (camera, maps of locations etc)
- 3 – On site – conduct required monitoring – check on nurseries, frames, ropes, corals. Check on outplanted corals: growing well, attaching to the reef, note disturbances.
- 4 – Post trip: Check in with Reef Ecologic to report observations. Use Whatsapp, email or phone.
As you gain more experience and knowledge the available tasks will become more detailed and complex.
Map of our two research locations
Overview of locations at Blue Pearl Bay
Map of Research Locations – Blue Pearl Bay
Overview Image of Research Locations
Map of Research Locations – Manta Ray Bay
Map of Research Locations – Manta Ray Bay
Overview Image of Research Locations
Reef Restoration Monitoring and Maintenance Resources and Images
Resources
Priority areas for cleaning nurseries
Outplanted rope corals and research tags (which can be hard to see)
Outplanted rope corals and yellow float as marker for outplant locations
Outplanted coral using CoralClip with research tag
FAQ’s
What is the aim of the project?
How to I register my interest to be involved?
Do I need to SCUBA dive to be involved?
I don’t have my own boat? What is the best way to get involved?
Do I need to undertake any formal training?
“A thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding weekend out with Reef Ecologic team at Blue Pearl Bay with a great collection of local industry representatives. The work that they are doing is inspirational on many levels and to be a part of the community wanting to make positive changes is so personally rewarding. I look forward to the next opportunity to participate in this project.”
