Australian researchers and tourism operators join Coralpalooza event for first time

Queensland Tourism operators - Kiana Sail & Dive, Red Cat Adventures and Ocean Rafting operating out of Whitsundays, Cairns and Port Douglas marinas – joined Coral Nurture Program researchers and volunteers for a day of intensive coral planting on the Reef on 10th June as part of Coralpalooza™ - a global day of collaborative action to help restore key reef sites and build resilience to climate change.  

This year, Coralpalooza™was the biggest event yet as Australia joined the global effort for the first time, alongside 11 other countries.

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation notes “on the Great Barrier Reef, nine operator vessels took 56 divers to 13 different sites across the Whitsundays, Cairns and Port Douglas and collectively they achieved a phenomenal 6,726 coral fragments planted, smashing the initial goal of 4,000.

“These amazing results could only be achieved because of the infectious passion shared above and below the surface. This was a team in its element, from different backgrounds, skillsets and organisations but with one collective intent – to make a positive impact on the Reef. Each coral fragment was planted using the innovative CoralClip® – a Queensland invention that allows corals to be planted quickly and with good survival rates.

“There is an opportunity now for researchers to learn from this event – the first coordinated, intensive community effort to plant corals across multiple sites – to support ongoing capacity-building activities and research. Coral Nurture Program researchers from the University of Technology Sydney will continue to monitor these sites to better understand the impact coral planting has on reefs and their marine life. This will help determine where and how to target our efforts to assist recovery at high-value reef locations in the future.”

Coralpalooza™ began in 2014 when the Coral Restoration Foundation™ first enlisted recreational divers for a day of large-scale coral restoration in honour of World Oceans Day in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Australia’s participation in Coralpalooza™ 2023 is thanks to the dedicated support of thousands of school children around Australia who have participated in colour runs to raise money for the Great Barrier Reef through Australian School and Club Fundraising (ASCF).

Images from top: Australian researchers, tourism operators and volunteers join Coralpalooza event for first time. Credit: Great Barrier Reef Foundation;  Kiana Sail & Dive, Red Cat Adventures and Ocean Rafting at Coralpalooza in the Whitsundays; Credit: Great Barrier Reef Foundation; researchers planting coral fragments in Cairns. Credit: Christine Roper; researchers on Sailaway in Port Douglas using the Coralclip®. Credit: Pablo Cogollos.