Tourism and science industries join forces to protect precious reef sites
Simone Kealy

BY SARAH ARTURI

Cairns and Port Douglas reef operators and marine biologists have planted more than 38,000 corals along the Great Barrier Reef as part of a long-term careful and responsible management of the marine wonders.

Initiated by a partnership between the tourism and marine science industries, the Coral Nurture Program aims to protect valuable reef sites by capitalising on the knowledge and experience of existing Great Barrier Reef workers. 

The program began in 2018 after back-to-back coral bleaching events in 2016 and 2017 severely damaged two-thirds of the Reef.

Source: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. INFOGRAPHIC: Sarah Arturi

A number of tourism industry partners have joined the program to undertake a range of conservation, research and educational initiatives to improve reef protection.

Coral Nurture Program local coordinator and Wavelength Reef Cruises crew member Lorna Howlett said the program uniquely focused on supporting economically valuable reef sites. 

“Our main goal is to try to help tourism sites recover in the face of climate change in order to keep tourism going as a viable driver of the economy,” Ms Howlett said.

“Our crew members know the reefs like the back of their hands, so they are able to recognise which reefs are impacted the most and help restore them through their work.”

Coral Nurture Program local coordinator Lorna Howlett plants coral nurseries on Opal Reef to utilise the strong currents and good water exchange for reef growth in the area. PHOTO: Facebook

Ms Howlett said she began her career centring her work around educating passengers on the health of the infamous Green Island reefs.

“At Wavelength, we are very mindful about being truthful and the truth is the reef isn’t dead but it is still in danger, so we have a lot of work to do,” she said.

Coral Nurture Program partner Wavelength Reef Cruises gives guided snorkel tours and reef talks as a way to contribute to education on the Great Barrier Reef. PHOTO: Facebook

University of Technology Sydney PhD student and Coral Nurture Program researcher Christine Roper said maintaining a healthy relationship between tourism and reefs is vital in funding reef research and management.

“If we can provide people with solutions or actions to help support the reef, they will go away having the amazing experience of seeing the reef but also feeling optimistic to help support the reef in the future," Ms Roper said.

Coral scientist Christine Roper says although the Coral Nurture Program provides temporary protection on the reef, more pressure needs to be placed on government bodies to prompt new legislation for safeguarding it. PHOTO: Facebook

Despite severe impacts on the reef due to climate change, Ms Roper said she is motivated to educate people without having a “doom and gloom attitude”.  

“It’s really easy to feel helpless but there is a silver lining - if we continue contributing to reef science and research we can help reef recovery for the future.”