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After half a decade of eager anticipation, right here in our own corner of
the world, a ground-breaking achievement took place as the world’s first
living coral biobank opened its doors at the Cairns Aquarium.
The coral ark Its profound purpose? Safeguarding the invaluable coral biodiversity of
the Great Barrier Reef.
safeguarding the WORLD’S The aptly named, The Forever Reef Project, found its champion in the
non-profit organisation Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Legacy and Dr Dean
Miller, at the helm, has been the driving force behind this initiative.
MOST PRECIOUS COLLECTION Founded in 2016 in Port Douglas, GBR Legacy has a clear mission to be
a global pioneer in marine expeditions, using science and education to
help coral reefs survive in the future.
In 2019, Dr Dean came up with the idea to create the world’s largest live
WORDS by Jamie Jansen
coral biobank to create an insurance policy for the coral reef community
Imagine a spectacle that defies imagination: with a living, thriving environment that guarantees its survival.
a gathering of precious, living jewels. With From the moment the idea was born to the facility’s grand opening,
colours, structures, and sizes as diverse Dr Dean and his team have already collected an astonishing half of the
as the sea itself, they shed a hypnotising Great Barrier Reef’s coral species.
radiance under the azure glow. These living The project aims to encompass the entire 415 coral species of the Great
beings are sure to enchant you, as if they Barrier Reef by 2026, housing 12,000 live coral fragments. Then moving
forward, to gather all 1000 or so worldwide coral species, ensuring
were nature’s hidden treasures revealed. comprehensive understanding and conservation.
118 Port Douglas Magazine & Travel Planner
