Page 78 - Port Douglas Magazine 37

to make energy from sunlight) for their energy.
However, the corals are not able to photosynthesise
themselves. Instead, microscopic algae known as Planting Coral
zooxanthellae live within the coral’s protective
exoskeleton. In return for protection from grazing
marine species, the algae share the products of their
photosynthesis with the coral, providing it with the HOW LOCAL COMPANIES IN PORT to start with was the idea of the U-shaped cable
energy it needs to survive. It’s these algae in the coral DOUGLAS ARE SPEARHEADING THE clips that keep cables neat in houses.
that gives it their vibrant colours - without the algae RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN After various design improvements and a
CORAL RESEARCH, RESTORATION AND
coral is white. collaboration with Unitec Institute of Technology
INNOVATION:
in Sydney, where they managed to secure grant
What’s the difference between soft and hard Innovation to lead the world
corals? money, the final model was developed in 2018
The saying goes “Necessity is the mother of (though tweaks are continually being made now).
Hard corals are literally ‘hard’ and have a rigid invention” and the most effective designs are The patented product consists of a nail type body
calcium carbonate skeleton and resemble rocks the simplest. The Coralclip ticks both these. with a spring-loaded arm. To plant the coral, one
and boulders (there is even a coral called ‘boulder John Edmondson, who operates Port Douglas- just hammers the nail into place in the substrate
coral’). Soft corals look more like blancmange, based snorkelling tour company, Wavelength and then places the coral under the spring loaded
or trees and bushes, and tend to wave around in Reef Cruises with his wife Jenny, developed arm. The arm will gently bear down on the coral
the currents. It’s hard to believe that both these the Coralclip that has changed the face of coral fragment holding it in place until the coral is able
structures, whether hard or soft are all made up of planting - worldwide. to grow and fuse with the surface.
colonies of tiny polyps.
Wavelength worked closely with the Great Barrier This makes it so much more accessible for tour
How does coral contribute to sandy white Reef Foundation and University of Technology in operators to help maintain and secure the future
beaches? Sydney (UTS) along with other tour operators to of their sites by giving them simple tools for reef
plant healthy corals on reefs in Cairns and Port custodianship. If a diver has some time whilst on
As parrotfish poo! Highly prized white tropical Douglas. a tour, they can grab some clips and replant any
sand (which is ground down skeletons of the hard Traditionally, coral fragments were attached broken corals they find at the dive sites or on their Lyle Squire, Cairns Marine and Dr. Charlie Vernon and Dr. Dean Miller, GBR Legacy
coral) is actually made by parrotfish. to the rock/coral substrate using pre-mixed local reefs.
These colourful fish have some of the strongest teeth cement/epoxy. This was then squeezed from the This little invention has made planting times ten Leaving a Legacy - A World’s First Growth by electrolysis - a first in Australia
in the world which they use to great effectiveness as waterproof bag like an icing bag to make a dollop to 20 times faster and so much more accessible.
on the reef where the coral could then be affixed.
they chomp their way through the reefs eating coral One person applied the cement (the bag required The Coral Clip is run as a not for profit business The Great Barrier Reef Legacy was formed in Port Douglas and is going from Electrical currents might very well make people’s hair stand on end, but for
to dine on the polyps. It is estimated that one large two hands) and another person then planted. and they are manufactured in Australia. To keep strength to strength in spearheading research, science and projects on the Great marine life low-voltage direct current trickle charges have been found to
Barrier Reef. Certainly, their Mission Statement “To be a global leader in marine
parrotfish can produce 450 kg of sand per year - costs viable, they are producing 200,000 per expeditions, delivering innovative science, education and public engagement to stimulate corals. Even under conditions of severe stress corals can grow 3-5
times. The first results of tests in 1976 in Louisiana were initially targeted at
that’s a lot of bi-product. John saw the need to develop a device that was production run. The Coral Clip is now used by accelerate actions vital to the future survival of coral reefs” is proving true.
quick, cheap, easy to use and could facilitate 19 different countries and is becoming the ‘go to’ oysters, with great results.
What is Coral Bleaching? planting by only one person. His first inspiration method of coral fragment planting. In 2017 they organised a ground-breaking expedition taking scientists on board As testing was expanded to other marine organisms it was found that coral
an expedition vessel to the Great Barrier Reef’s furthest corners. The aim was responded well.
to study the effects of ocean warming and to study corals that might be able to
withstand rising temperatures. Subsequent trips throughout the following years Local tour company Quicksilver (and Reef Ecologic) with approval from
to study coral bleaching and biodiversity have proved highly successful. GBRMPA (Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Authority) spearheaded the
this gigantic Not only did they discover a new coral species (first one in 30 years,) but they exciting Coral Restoration Project at their Agincourt Reef 3 Platform.
found a ‘super coral’ that was surviving well despite living on a site suffering the Steel meshes of 1.5 x 3 metres grow the coral ‘recruits’ and these meshes are
structure that impacts of coral bleaching and biodiversity. connected to the power source. The meshes are also ideal to grow coral on
They even discovered the most diverse branching coral site ever found on the as they provide a sturdy substrate. This allows corals to be grown on unstable
stretches for Great Barrier Reef. The need to preserve the biodiversity of the world’s hard substrate, which they would be unable to do naturally, so more coral cover can
be achieved.
corals has started the massive “Living Coral Biobank Project” - a ‘Noah’s Ark’
2000 km is ‘built’ of coral. With each bleaching event more vulnerable corals are disappearing. Started in 2018 this is the first time that this technology has been used in
The aim is to safeguard the biodiversity of corals by collecting, housing, and
Australia and has proved a great success in increasing coral coverage and helping
by miniscule maintaining live fragments in the world’s first Coral Biosphere. the survival of relocated colonies.
The plan is to house all 800 hard coral species from around the world for their
A final note:
ultimate conservation and to make live samples, tissue and genetic material
organisms that
Source - NOAA: National Ocean Service are less than Progress is well underway. The project now boasts three dedicated holding it and the work of those who live and breathe this natural wonder of the world
available for reef research and restoration efforts.
The Great Barrier Reef – A spectacular underwater world ... visit it, appreciate
every day. After all it is these scientists and marine biologists coupled with their
facilities, one of which is at Cairns Aquarium, with a combined capacity of
innovation and dedication that help ensure the living coral and this world icon
24,000 live fragments. It has already collected 181 of the 400 Great Barrier Reef
3mm in diameter
remains alive and vibrant, well into to the future, for generations to appreciate
species, with the aim of collecting all 400 by the end of 2024.
over and over again.
In 2022 the Living Coral Biobank Project won the prestigious Xtreme Tech
Challenge for Australia, and the Energy Global Award for sustainability.
We salute you.
coralnurtureprogram.org/coralclip | coralbiobank.org | quicksilver-cruises.com/information/reef-restoration