In recent years there has been overwhelming scientific and political consensus that climate change has resulted from human activity. It is climate change that is the greatest threats to all reefs world wide. Greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere as a result of human activity are considered by many to be the major contributing factor in climate change. These effects include:

• Rising Frequency of warmer water.
• Rising Sea level.
• Increases in El Nino events
• Changes in rainfall pattern
• Changing ocean circulation / currents.

These climate changes are predicted to have serious effects on the Great Barrier Reef over the next 50 years. These types of climate changes will impact on the whole reef ecosystem. To date much of the scientific research that has been conducted has been centred on studies on corals and the effects of Coral Bleaching.

Research indicates that the rising frequency of warmer water is directly related to corals dying off. It is this cause and effect analogy that scientists refer to as coral bleaching. Additionally the frequency of warmer sea temperatures has increased disease cases among the many varieties of corals.

Corals can take as long as 3-4 years to recover after experiencing warmer summer (31 degrees) sea temperatures and when combined with continued higher seasonal temperatures, coral recovery can take many years. As coral bleaching has a direct impact on coral growth, studies also indicate that with the decline in coral growth comes the decline in the abundance of marine fish life. An ideal sea temperature for coral and marine life to thrive is considered by many to be 26 degrees.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is presently trailing a shading technique to reduce reef exposure to the hot summer sun. Shallow reefs are more vulnerable to warmer sea temperatures and when coupled with low tides these reefs are exposed to very high temperatures. The shading technique is an attempt to cover these reefs and reduce the water temperature around the shallow part of the reef. Scientific research is presently still being conducted to determine the shading techniques success.

Sunlover Reef Cruises conducts its own coral monitoring program to measure our outer Great Barrier Reef destination at Moore Reef. From our ongoing program of measuring the growth, diversity and overall health of corals, we are able to provide valuable data for Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Authority (GBRMPA) to gauge the effects of climate change on this delicate ecosystem. Information supplied by Sunlover Reef Cruises and other tourism operators within the marine park, assists GBRMPA in maintaining an eye on this most fragile natural wonder of the world.

The Great Barrier Reef eco system is approximately 2300km long stretching from Bundaberg in southern Queensland all the way through to the tip of Cape York at the far northern end of Australia. The reef eco system is littered with islands and coral sand cays and more than 3000 individual reefs that cover nearly 350 000 square kilometres.

How are Corals Formed?

Corals are the building blocks that make up the reefs and sand cays that are found throughout the Great Barrier Reef. Reefs and cays are large masses of limestone made from skeletons of thousands of marine animals.

Coral is made up of individual coral polyps, these tiny living creatures about the size of a match head join together by splitting from one to two then from two to four and so on. This process is known as coral budding. These coral polyps are the main marine animals that contribute to the reefs formation. Coral polyps are able to absorb calcium carbonate and then convert it to limestone and with the assistance of plants living inside them, they are able to lay the limestone down below their bodies as a compressed hard form of limestone. These polyps once joined together in colonies create the wonderful array of coloured coral formations.

Varieties of Coral species

These coral formations come in various types such as fan, antler or branching, brain, vase, mushroom and plate type corals. The Ideal environment for coral to grow in is shallow warm water where there is water movement, lots of sun light and where the water is salty. The various types of coral formations also grow at different rates with many taking hundreds of years to form.

However these spectacular coral formations do have natural predators. The Crown of Thorns Starfish is one of those natural predators. Over a 15 year period, Crown of Thorns Starfish outbreaks can go through various stages. Sunlover Reef Cruises has implemented a monitoring and eradication programme to limit the impact that these natural predators have on this beautiful environment.

Marine fish come in a vast variety of different colours, and it is these beautiful colours that we use to distinguish between the various types of fish. Many varieties of marine fish use their colours to act as a warning signal to other marine fish that they are poisonous. Marine fish can also use their colours as camouflage, predators for instance, often use their camouflage to ambush its prey.

We would now like to introduce you to come of the most beautiful marine fish that you are likely to see on your day out with Sunlover Reef Cruises.

Clown Anemonefish

Anemonefish more commonly known as ‘clownfish’ live in close proximity to large sea anemones. Clownfish use the anemones for protection from predators by hiding in amongst the tentacles of its host anemone. The Clownfish in return protects the anemone from butterfly fish which feed off the ends of the anemone’s tentacles. There are about six different species of clownfish and there behaviour varies slightly between the various species.

Scientists theorise that these Clownfish protect them selves from the anemone’s by smearing anemone mucus over themselves which is believed to trick the anemone into thinking the fish is part of them. Clownfish are generally found in pairs of adults and several juveniles.

Angelfish

Angelfish are closely related to butterfly fish and share a variety of similar characteristics such as, scales that almost extend onto the median firm that look like teeth. However, they are usually identifiable by the presence of a spine near the corner of their gill. Angelfish can be quite territorial in behaviour and spend most of their day searching for food. They feed on a variety of different items that include algae, sponges and vertebrates.

Research indicates that Angelfish change sex from female to male and that each male Angelfish defends their territory which is believed to contain between 2 to 5 females. Studies on juvenile Angelfish reveal that their colours change dramatically from the juvenile stage through to adulthood.

Lion Fish

The Lion fish in known to be an active predator which stalks its prey during the night and living under ledges. Most Lionfish are well camouflaged and they use their ability to hide to ambush its prey. Lion fish do contain venom in their spines and it is important not to handle or try to touch these fish.

Damselfish

Damselfish are one of the most abundant species of marine fish life that can be found in almost every part of the Great Barrier Reef. Due to the large variety of Damselfish there is quite a diverse range of colouration and marking that can be found on this species. Also quite diverse is the different behavioural and eating habits between the various types of Damselfish.

This specie of fish is also very territorial particularly among algae eating variety of Damselfish. Algae eating Damselfish are generally have drab colour patterns compared with the brightly colours Damselfish who feed on plankton. During the reproduction phase of the Damselfish the female will lay the eggs on a hard coral rock surface and once laid it is the male that returns to protect the eggs from predators until they hatch, which usually takes around 14 days.

Wrasse

The wrasse family of fish are quite diverse and come in many sizes and forms. Wrasse are well known for their special jaw structure which consists of a second set of jaws located beneath their throat called pharyngeal jaw apparatus. They use this special jaw structure for processing their food much like humans use blending machines.

Wrasses are also known for changing sexes from female to male, this change is also usually accompanied by changes in their colouration. This species of marine fish are considered carnivores, feeding on fish or invertebrates. Commonly seen at Sunlover Reef Cruises Outer Great Barrier Reef site is the Giant Maori Wrasse seen here on this page.

Surgeonfish – Tangs

This species of marine fish derives its name from spines located on each side of their tail base. Surgeonfish use these spines as defensive weapons during territorial disputes. This species is commonly found in schools and the more defensive type of Surgeonfish.

Their feeding habits vary between the between the various types of Surgeonfish with some dieting on benthic algae, detritus that falls on algae and some on zooplankton. Recent studies indicate that this species of marine fish have similar systems to termites and use a specialised symbiotic bacteria living within their digestive system to break down the algae.

Together with Sunlover Reef Cruises we can make a difference by looking after the Great Barrier Reef and help preserve and protect the marine life that calls this ecosystem their home.

Listed below are some ways you can contribute to the Great Barrier Reef’s protection and preservation:

• Observe the marine life in its natural environment. Please do not touch or try to handle them whilst diving or snorkelling.
• Avoid touching on standing on the coral while snorkelling or diving.
• When diving secure your dive equipment.
• While snorkelling and diving try to avoid your fins touching or stirring up the sediment on the ocean floor.
• Dispose of all rubbish in the bins provided around the vessel and pontoon.
• When applying sunscreen ensure that your skin has absorbed the liquid,
• Please use the toilets located onboard the vessel.
• When you return home after your Outer Great Barrier Reef cruise tell at least one friend what you learnt about protecting the reef.

Marine tourism operators who operate at high standards are those operators that are ecologically sustainable and are helping to protect and present the Marine Park to a high standard. The GBRMPA relies on independent certifiers to identify these operators.

Ecotourism Australia offers an Ecocertification program that has been recognised by GBRPMA and it is through this program that Ecotourism Australia identifies and monitors high standards in tourism operations.

Sunlover is also proud to support Reef Check Australia in their efforts to monitor the health of the reef and educate the community on how we can help.  Reef Check Australia is an award-winning marine conservation charity responding to the severe threats facing Australia's beautiful coral reefs because there is hope if we take action now.