Word on the Reef
Word on the Reef is a podcast that dives into marine science adventures on the Great Barrier Reef and beyond. Hosted by Tanya Murphy, it explores the wonders of underwater ecosystems and the latest research. Listeners can expect engaging stories about marine life and conservation efforts.
Episodes
S3 E22: Fear vs Facts: Australia's Shark Culling Debate
They’ve claimed the lives of thousands of marine animals along Australia’s east coast, including turtles, whales, dolphins, rays and dugongs. No, we’re not talking about sharks. We’re talking about the shark nets and baited drum lines deployed by the Queensland and New South Wales governments.But do these programs actually protect swimmers? Does the evidence support shark culling? And what alterna
S3 E21: Diving Indonesia's Incredible Komodo Islands
Join us aboard the luxury liveaboard boat Mikumba Dua for a journey into one of the world's most incredible destinations! We'll explore local culture with our guide Filan, climb mountains, and enjoy some of the top rated scuba diving in the world. This episode includes an interview with local dive instructor Wili, and along the way we'll answer all your questions:How do I get to Kom
S3 E20: The Last Saw: Saving Sawfish with Dr Barbara Wueringer
Sawfish, the extraordinary relatives of sharks and rays, once roamed tropical and subtropical waters around the globe. Today they've vanished from much of their former range, with Northern Australia remaining one of their last global strongholds. All five sawfish species are now listed as critically endangered, yet most Australians know surprisingly little about these remarkable animals.So, w
S3 E19: Protecting Paradise: The Future of the Coral Sea Marine Park
Beyond the Great Barrier Reef lies one of the world's largest marine protected areas: the Coral Sea Marine Park. Home to spectacular reefs, abundant marine life and some of the planet's best dive sites, it's one of Australia's last great ocean wildernesses.But is it getting the protection it deserves?On today's show, hosts Tanya Murphy and Brett Goodban are joined by Dive
S3 E18: Gone Buggo: Tiny Animals of the Reef and Rainforest with Steven Gill
Reef and Rainforest tour guide Steven Gill is on a mission to bug you... in the best possible way. Armed with a camera, a handful of LEGO bricks and an infectious love for the tiny creatures we usually overlook, he's proving that the smallest critters often have the biggest personalities.Along the way we'll meet Katy Perry, get business advice from a cleaner wrasse, and explore the surpr
S3 E17: CoralWatch: Citizen Science in Full Colour
Fifty shades of coral? Not quite... but those colours tell an incredible story. This week we're diving into CoralWatch, the world's longest-running DIY reef science project. Discover how anyone with a mask, a colour chart and a love of coral can help scientists monitor reef health. Diana Kleine from the University of Queensland (pictured in the episode thumbnail image) joins us to prove
S3 E16: Fish out of their (Usual) Waters: Why Marine Life are Moving Poleward
Scientists have discovered that marine species are migrating away from the equator at a rate of 40 to 70 kilometres per decade to get to cooler waters as climate change heats up our ocean.But far from being a viable escape plan, this mass poleward relocation of marine life is opening up a sea of problems.On this week's episode of Word on the Reef, hosts Tanya Murphy and Brett Goodban are join
S3 E15: Seafood Fishing and Aquarium Harvesting on the Great Barrier Reef: Are they Sustainable?
Every year up to 7,000 tons of seafood is caught on the Great Barrier Reef, while up to 190 tons of coral is collected for the international aquarium trade. But how sustainable are these fisheries? And as consumers, how can we make sure we're making Reef-friendly choices?In this episode of Word on the Reef, Simon Miller from the Australian Marine Conservation Society joins hosts Tanya Murphy
S3 E14: Reef Fish Beneath our City: Restoring Cairns' Urban Waterways and Oyster Reefs with Phil Laycock
Did you know that some Great Barrier Reef fish species are spending part of their life cycle in the middle of our city? That's right, marine fish species could be as close as your nearest concrete storm water drain, swimming among abandoned shopping trolleys and discarded beer bottles. In fact, recent research has found more than 60 species of native fish in these waterways.On todays' ep
S3 E13: The First Scientists: How Indigenous Knowledge can Help Protect our Oceans
For 65,000 years before computers, satellites, and scientific journals, Australia's first peoples were reading tides, stars, seasons, animal behaviour, currents, and ecosystems with extraordinary precision. Yet until recently, their knowledge was not formally considered alongside Western Science.Now, more research and conservation organisations are recognising that in order to protect places
S3 E12: Mud, Blood and Sea Turtles: Caitlin's Quest to Give Turtles a Future
In 2022, a mass stranding of more than 600 sick turtles devastated Hervey Bay in South East Queensland. As volunteers worked tirelessly to rescue them, scientists got to work on solving the puzzle: what caused this disaster?Dr Caitlin Smith is one of the scientists racing to unravel the threats facing our sea turtles before it’s too late.Her work has seen her fearlessly leaning out of helicopters
S3 E11: Project Manta: The Secret Lives of Gentle Giants
Professor Kathy Townsend knew she wanted to be a marine biologist from the age of five, and completed her very first dive in a frozen Canadian lake. But it was the moment a five-metre manta ray draped its tail over her shoulder like an affectionate cat that she knew she had truly found her calling.Since then, Kathy has followed manta rays around the world, appeared in a documentary with Sir David
S3 E10: Dugong Wars: The Fight to Save Mermaids with Professor Helene Marsh
When Professor Helene Marsh first began researching dugongs on the Great Barrier Reef, the only ones she encountered were dead - tangled in fishing nets.Then, in the 1990s, Queensland became the centre of a fierce conservation battle known as the “Dugong Wars”. No torpedoes were fired, but the conflict between marine scientists, industry groups and governments was intense, as researchers like Prof
S3 E9: Meet Gary, the King of Nudibranchs (AKA the Ocean’s Craziest Sea Slugs)
He's broken several world records: largest group skydive, longest scuba dive on a single tank—and the most species of nudibranchs ever found on a single dive (71).He's spent 23 years chasing these tiny creatures, building a global following of more than 60,000 people who are equally obsessed.But what even is a nudibranch—and why are thousands of people going nuts over them?Well, they dre
S3 E8: UNESCO Sounds Alarm on the Great Barrier Reef + Cyclone Narelle’s Fallout
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is concerned about the Great Barrier Reef - warning Australia to do more to protect it or risk an “In Danger” listing. So how serious is this threat, and are governments doing enough to respond?This week we're joined by marine ecologist Dr Lissa Schindler from the Australian Marine Conservation Society to unpack what’s behind UNESCO’s warnings - and what we
S3 E7: The Aeroplane that Flies Underwater: A Game Changer for Marine Science?
Critics said it would never work. But after 30 years of surveying reefs the hard way - diving with a slate and pencil - marine ecologist Brett Kettle knew there had to be a better way. So he built one.In this episode of Word on the Reef, Tanya Murphy sits down with Brett and the team behind Flying Fish Technologies to reveal the Vertigo 3 Glider—an underwater drone that could revolutionise how we
![S3 E6: Starfish vs. The Great Barrier Reef: Can We Stop Them? [EXTENDED VERSION]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/bdthkulswoz1gkgn9cyahewoy3v9?.jpg)
S3 E6: Starfish vs. The Great Barrier Reef: Can We Stop Them? [EXTENDED VERSION]
What has eyes on the tips of its 20 arms, venomous spines, is almost impossible to kill — and is munching the world’s largest reef?Meet the crown-of-thorns starfish.Professor Morgan Pratchett has spent years studying this formidable predator. He’s been on the pointy end of one more than once — and lived to tell the tale.In this episode, he reveals new research that could help tackle this army of m
![S3 E5: Eco-Grief: Why Loving Nature Can Hurt - and What To Do About It [EXTENDED DIVE]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/32f92oc0x58mkmvts3j4j68wy06z?.jpg)
S3 E5: Eco-Grief: Why Loving Nature Can Hurt - and What To Do About It [EXTENDED DIVE]
As climate change, coral bleaching and biodiversity loss dominate the news, many people are experiencing something psychologists now call eco-grief or climate anxiety — the emotional response to witnessing environmental change.To unpack the connection between mental health, climate change and our relationship with nature - this week we're joined by Dr Chloe Watfern, an artist and postdoctoral
S3 E4: Reef Time Capsules: What Coral Cores Reveal About the Reef’s Past
Did you know coral skeletons contain a record of every flood event in Queensland since 1648?We often hear that climate and water pollution conditions on the Great Barrier Reef have changed dramatically since pre-industrial times. But how do we actually know that? After all, weather records only stretch back just over a century, and systematic water quality monitoring only began in the 1980s.The an
S3 E3: Coral 2.0: Can Technology Save the Great Barrier Reef?
For thousands of years, the Great Barrier Reef has had the power to regenerate itself — so until 2017, coral transplantation was illegal. The rule was simple: let nature recover itself. Then mass bleaching events driven by global warming changed everything.This summer, scientists released tens of thousands of baby corals - attaching them to ceramic stars and dropping them from boats in a bid to bo
S3 E2: Dissolving Coral: Ocean Acidification and the Future of Coral Reefs
Our oceans are 40% more acidic than pre-industrial times, making it harder for corals, molluscs, crustaceans and plankton to build their calcium carbonate skeletons. It's a crucial planetary boundary we've crossed — threatening reefs, fisheries, tourism, food security, and coastal communities. And almost no one is talking about it.So what’s driving it? What does it mean for the Great Bar
S3 E1: Flantastic Discovery: Giant Dessert-Shaped Seamount Teems with Rare Marine Life
CSIRO scientists have discovered a massive underwater mountain, shaped like a half-eaten flan, rising 3,000 metres from the seafloor off the coast of North Queensland. That's taller than Australia’s highest mainland peak, Mount Kosciuszko. And it’s teeming with life.To guide us on a deep dive into this 40-million-year-old extinct volcano and its flantastic inhabitants, our guest on Word on th
S2 E40: Fact or Fiction: Media Misinformation and the Health of the Great Barrier Reef
Have you ever felt confused by conflicting media reports about the health of the Great Barrier Reef? If so, you're not alone. New research shows news coverage has often failed to clearly communicate the risks climate change poses to the reef, sometimes fuelling misinformation and climate denial.So what's really happening on the Great Barrier Reef? To help unpack this, our guest today is
S2 E39: Saving Sea Lions & Albatrosses PLUS Good News about Australia's Nature Laws!
What do the world's largest flying bird, with a wingspan of up to 3.5 metres, and the Australian Sea Lion have in common? Both are endangered due to their high risk of entanglement in fishing nets!Today's guest, Zoologist Alexia Wellbelove gives us a birds-eye view on how changes to fishing practices can help bring Albatrosses and Sea Lions back from the brink. We'll also unpack rec
S2 E38: Before the Flood: How Fossils Built the Great Barrier Reef (and the Pyramids!)
What do the Egyptian Pyramids, the Greek Parthenon, the Notre Dame Cathedral and Melbourne's Parliament House all have in common? They are all built out of fossilised reefs, aka limestone!Today we’re taking a journey through deep lime - I mean time - to answer some of those burning questions like: How old is the Great Barrier Reef? What ancient forces built this coral colossus? Why are there
S2 E37: Pig of a Problem: Saving Baby Sea Turtles from Porky Predators on the Great Barrier Reef
Pigs can't fly, nor can they dive in the ocean. But they are posing a serious threat to endangered sea turtles by pigging out on turtle eggs and hatchlings in Cape York. This is not the good kind of bacon and eggs combo. It's Ham-ageddon for our nesting sea turtles!Cape York Natural Resource Management representatives Dr Manuela Fischer and Scott Morrison (no relation to the former Austr
S2 E36: Disappearing Islands: The Race to Save Turtle Eggs from Rising Seas
As the planet warms, more than 3000 sea turtle eggs have been evacuated from low-lying Raine Island on the Great Barrier Reef to save them from rising sea levels.It's an emergency intervention never attempted before on the Great Barrier Reef. But can the eggs survive the relocation? And what does this egg-sistential crisis mean for the future of our sea turtles and other island-dwelling anima
S2 E35: Muddying the Waters: Deforestation and the Water Pollution Crisis on the Great Barrier Reef
Did you know Australia has one of the highest deforestation rates in the developed world? About 20% of Queensland's vegetation has been bulldozed since colonisation -- one million hectares in the last three years alone -- mainly for cattle farming. What impact is this having on the Great Barrier Reef, and what can we do to fix it? To find out, this week we're chatting with Dr Maximilian
S2 E34: Coral Spawning Research and Protecting Mangroves on the Great Barrier Reef
Spring has sprung and it’s baby-making season on the Great Barrier Reef! In this episode we talk coral spawning with marine scientist Dr Katie Chartrand, plus, we dive into the world of mangrove forests with CAFNEC's Shannon Bredeson.More information:JCU Tropwater Spawning SchoolCAFNEC's Mangrove Watch ProgramSupport the showHelp Keep Word on the Reef Afloat!Please take 2 minutes to fill
S2 E33: Top 50 Dive Sites of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef: Part II
Marine biologist and scuba legend Steve Sinclair is back again this week to finish revealing the Top 50 Dive Sites in Australia. Steve has spent over five decades exploring every reef, wreck and cave from Tasmania to the Top End — and now he’s sharing his secret spots with us!From world-famous coral gardens on the Great Barrier Reef to secret, world-class dive spots you’ve never heard of, Steve sh
S2 E32: Top 50 Dive Sites of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef
Think you know Australia’s best dive sites? Think again! Marine biologist and scuba legend Steve Sinclair has spent over five decades exploring every reef, wreck and cave from Tasmania to the Top End — and now he’s revealing the Top 50 Dive Sites in Australia.From world-famous coral gardens on the Great Barrier Reef to secret, world-class dive spots you’ve never heard of, Steve shares insider stor
S2 E31: Art Meets Ocean: How Creativity, Science & Community Are Protecting the Great Barrier Reef
What do underwater art museums, bomb tests, and citizen science have in common? They're all part of the story of the Great Barrier Reef’s past, present—and possible future.Our guest this week is Dr. Adam Smith—freediver, marine biologist, and founder of Reef Ecologic, a Townsville-based social enterprise leading innovative reef conservation through research, education, and community action.In
S2 E30: Seeing Green: Divers Investigate South Australia's Algal Bloom Disaster
Today we're traveling back to South Australia for an update on the devastating toxic algal bloom that's been unfolding there over the last seven months, and what it it's been like for the divers who know and love these waters.Marine Biologist and Divemaster Sarah Franke from Divers for Climate has just returned from a research trip to learn about how the disaster is impacting the So
S2 E29: Caring for Yirrganydji Sea Country on the Great Barrier Reef with Gavin Singleton
First Nations people have been caring for land and sea along the Great Barrier Reef Coast for thousands of years. In this powerful interview, Traditional Owner Gavin Singleton explains the enduring connection First Nations people have with the Reef, what they're doing to help protect it, and how we can all foster a stronger connection with each other and the Reef.The didgeridoo recording at t
S2 E28: Corals' Last Stand: The Fight to Save Scott Reef
Scott Reef, Australia’s largest remote offshore reef, is a breathtaking sanctuary for corals, fish, rare sea snakes, nesting turtles, and pygmy blue whales. But this natural wonder is under threat from a mega gas drilling and carbon dumping proposal. Fossil fuel campaigner Louise Morris from the Australian Marine Conservation Society joins us to explain what’s at stake and how we can fight back.Pl
S2 E27: MARRS Stars: Restoring Reefs from Rubble to Thriving Coral
Cyclones are part of life in the tropics, but climate change is making them stronger and more destructive. On the Great Barrier Reef, their force can pulverise thriving coral gardens into unstable rubble fields where baby corals struggle to grow. But there’s hope! In this week’s episode, we dive into an innovative solution that’s helping damaged reefs bounce back — and discover how you can play a
S2 E26: Restoring Seagrass on the Great Barrier Reef with Dr Tim Smith
Seagrass meadows are the unsung heroes of the Great Barrier Reef – nurseries for fish, food for turtles and dugongs, and a frontline defence against climate change. But after a massive die-off, Dr Tim Smith and the team at JCU TropWATER faced a huge challenge: how do you restore these fragile ecosystems while dealing with crocodiles, stingers, and waist-deep mud?The answer: helicopters, hovercraft
S2 E25: Just Say Yes: Why You Should Volunteer with Reef Check on the Great Barrier Reef
Ever dreamed of exploring the Great Barrier Reef for free—while making a real difference? With Reef Check Australia, volunteers can join survey dives and help clean up marine debris, all while experiencing the Reef up close. But what does it take to become a qualified reef surveyor? In this episode, Reef Check Australia’s General Manager, Jodi Salmond, shares how you can get involved and play a ha
S2 E24: Not Just a Pretty Shell: The Beautiful and Terrifying Molluscs of the Great Barrier Reef
What has no arms, no legs, and no brain, but can flash like a disco light, help control pests and kill you in minutes? Queensland Museum's mollusc expert Darryl Potter has spent three decades fearlessly tracking down these armoured beasts all along the Great Barrier Reef, and he's here to tell us why they're more than just an ornament for your bathroom. It's one shell of a show
S2 E23: The Neurodivergent Shark Advocate: Aliah Banchik's Journey
Growing up with ADHD and Dyslexia, Aliah Banchik never thought she could achieve calm focus, let alone become a successful scientist, artist and Netflix star. Then she discovered sharks.In this inspiring episode, Aliah shares her mission to reshape how we see both sharks and neurodivergence, revealing the beauty in misunderstood animals and people alike.We’ll also chat about her journey on Netflix
S2 E22: Dammed if you Don't: Saving Fish from Migration Mayhem
Did you know some of our marine fish are living DOUBLE LIVES? That’s right, they want the best of both worlds, saltwater and freshwater. So one minute they’re living the dream on a beautiful coral reef, next minute they’ve decided they need a tree change, and they’re swimming up into our rivers. What are they doing there? And importantly – what happens when humans build dams, causeways and other w
S2 E21: SPOTTED: The Great Barrier Reef's first known Whale Shark Aggregation Site
Whale sharks—harmless, majestic giants—have long been mystery visitors on the Great Barrier Reef, their movements shrouded in secrecy... until now. In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified the Reef’s first known whale shark aggregation site. Join us as we uncover where these elusive creatures have been hiding with Ingo Miller—marine biologist turned shark detective. On a mission t
S2 E20 Everything Kirsty Webeck Needs to Say About Sea Creatures
Australian comedian Kirsty Webeck loves sea creatures. She's learned a lot about them through her lifelong passion for snorkelling - and now she's here to share what the sperm whales don't want you to know. She is currently touring with her live standup show called Everything I Need to Say About Sea Creatures and it's a real hoot to have her joining us on Word on the Reef this
S2 E19: Modern Day Castaway: A Gruelling 50 Days Alone on the Reef
Meet Mike Atkinson — former military pilot turned solo adventurer, survival expert, and filmmaker. In one of the boldest voyages ever attempted, Mike hand-carved a dugout canoe and sailed it 1,500 kilometres up the Great Barrier Reef — from Townsville to the Torres Strait — using only traditional, handmade fishing and hunting tools. No engine. No GPS. No esky.Surviving on stingray, dried kangaroo,
S2 E18: Sex Under the Sea: The Weird World of Marine Reproduction
Welcome to the ocean -- where your genitals are on your face, males give birth, and gender is more of a suggestion than a rule. You can snooze in a bubble of your own vomit or switch sexes overnight without anyone batting a fin. What a world!This week we’re joined by Mike Scotland - marine biologist, underwater photographer, and editor of DiveLog Magazine. With 50 years of diving, thousands of div
S2 E17: Trawl Wars: The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park vs. The Fishing Industry
The 1990s was a wild west era for fishing on the Great Barrier Reef. Even after being declared a Marine Park and a World Heritage area, more than 95% of the Great Barrier Reef was still being fished, and things were heading downhill fast. Then came a bombshell report that exposed what was really going on beneath the surface -- and all hell broke loose. What followed was a fierce battle known as th
S2 E16: Shark Tracker: The Wild Life of Richard Fitzpatrick
Ever since he kept a pet shark as a kid, Richard Fitzpatrick has made it his life’s mission to rewrite the story of one of the ocean’s most misunderstood predators. Now an Emmy-winning cinematographer, marine biologist and shark researcher, he’s spent more than 15,000 hours swimming with sharks — filming them, tagging them, and tracking them for science, often using wildly unorthodox (and very han
S2 E15: Save the Reef from your Sofa: Citizen Science with Nicole Senn
Did you know you can help with coral research on the Great Barrier Reef without even leaving your couch? On this week's episode of Word on the Reef, get ready to swipe right on high-value corals as we dive into the incredible world of citizen science.Our guest is Nicole Senn, Head of Engagement at Citizens of the Reef and passionate ocean advocate, who reveals how everyday people all over the
S2 E14: Tree-mendous Impacts: How Forests Help Save Coral Reefs
Did you know that deforestation up to 1,000 kilometres inland can harm coral reefs and potentially fuel outbreaks of coral-eating starfish? This week we explore one of the lesser-known but critical threats to the Great Barrier Reef: declining water quality due to land clearing.Our guest this week is Sarah Sims, a conservation and land management expert, dive instructor, and underwater photographer
S2 E13: Undercover Investigation: The Supermarket Plastics Trashing our Oceans
Did you know Aussies are among the worst plastic polluters on the planet - second only to Singapore for our use of single-use plastic packaging? Every year, 145,000 tonnes of plastic waste leak into our environment, and most of it comes from our supermarkets.Many of these plastics are not recyclable, and even when binned “correctly," they escape - blown by wind, swept by rain - ending up in r
S2 E12: Toxic Tide: South Australia's Deadly Algal Bloom Disaster
In South Australia, a toxic algal bloom has resulted in more than 12,000 marine animals from nearly 450 different species washing up dead on local beaches, turning once-thriving ecosystems into underwater graveyards and leaving locals traumatised... But what's causing this disaster, and what can we do about it?This week's guest: Stefan Andrews, marine biologist, filmmaker, educator, and
S2 E11: How to Save the Ocean: Taking Meaningful Action on Climate Change
Climate Change is the biggest threat to coral reefs worldwide, causing unprecedented coral bleaching events. But there are things we can all do to help - and you don't need to be a marine biologist or even live anywhere near the ocean to make a difference! Here's your guide to powerful, practical climate action to help save the Great Barrier Reef - and the best part? You can do it from a
S2 E10: Trash Talk: Inside the Marine Debris Crisis on the Great Barrier Reef – and What You Can Do
This week we head to the remote beaches of the Great Barrier Reef—where plastic pollution is piling up faster than we can clean it. But is picking up rubbish really the solution? Or just the beginning?Join us as we play trash detective with marine debris expert Heidi Tait, founder of Tangaroa Blue and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative. From her early days as a dive instructor to shaping glob
S2 E9: Catching Air, Calling for Action: A Tour Operator's Plea to Save the Great Barrier Reef
Brett Wright has spent the past 30 years taking visitors to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas with his tour company Windswell Adventures—and he's seen the changes up close. From worsening coral bleaching to the devastation of extreme weather events, climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a reality affecting his livelihood and the Reef he loves. Brett shares a heartfelt call
S2 E8: Hot Water and Hot Air: Which Political Parties Have the Best Policies to Protect the Great Barrier Reef?
In this special Election Edition of Word on the Reef, Tanya Murphy and Brett Goodban dive into one of the most critical questions facing Australians ahead of the Federal Election: Who has the best plan to save the Great Barrier Reef?To find out, we’re joined by Maria Poulos Conklin, Head of Government Relations at the Australian Conservation Foundation, who breaks down ACF's powerful Election
S2 E7: Coral in Crisis: The Great Barrier Reef's Sixth Mass Bleaching Event in 9 Years
The federal election is just two weeks away — and it turns out some politicians are still floundering when it comes to climate change. While the Reef suffers, some parties are busy serving up red herrings instead of real solutions. This week Tanya Murphy and Brett Goodban dive into the national emergency that should be making front-page news: the GBR's sixth mass coral bleaching in nine years
S2 E6: Wilderness Under Threat: Western Australia's Incredible Reefs
This week, our guest is West Australian coral ecologist Associate Professor Zoe Richards, who's had some extraordinary dives - with crocodiles, on nuclear bomb sites, and discovering new coral species!We'll journey to Micronesia to uncover an ancient civilisation that built mysterious structures from coral, and to Western Australia's World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef, the world’s
S2 E5: Paradise in Peril: Lizard Island's Reefs on the Brink
This week we're heading back to spectacular Lizard Island to uncover what’s changed since last year’s record-breaking coral bleaching event. New research station co-director Dr David Abrego takes us a vivid tour of this world-renowned reef science hub and shares the sobering reality of back-to-back bleaching events that are pushing corals to the brink. From flying over glittering turquoise wa
S2 E4: Diving for Climate: Can Tourism Help Protect the Great Barrier Reef?
This week, we dive deep into the heart of the Great Barrier Reef’s current coral bleaching crisis with marine social scientist and CEO of Divers for Climate, Dr. Yolanda Waters.🔬 What’s causing this widespread bleaching event? 🌍 How does reef tourism play a crucial role in protecting our oceans? 🤿 What can divers, snorkelers, and everyday citizens do to take action?Join us as we explore Yolanda’s
S2 E3: It Snot What You Think: How Whale Mucus can help us Protect Whales
This week, conservationist, photographer and filmmaker Christian Miller takes us on an unforgettable journey — from swimming alongside the planet’s largest animal, to eavesdropping on a humpback whale krill hunt. Along the way, we’ll dodge jaguars and flesh-eating ants in the Amazon, and learn why you can’t hide anything from a whale (spoiler: they can literally see through you). Strap in — it’s a
S2 E2: Magnificent Magnetic Island: The Great Barrier Reef's Best Kept Secret
This week, marine biologist and underwater photographer Lawrence Scheele takes us beneath the surface at Magnetic Island for a wild and wonderful tour of its marine life.Discover how jellyfish can detect and dodge humans (despite having no brains), why attempting sign language with a cuttlefish is a big mistake, and how to spot the telltale signs that an octopus might be living in your neighbourho
S2 E1: All about Your Hosts, Tanya and Brett!
In our Season Two premiere, WOTR is now a live radio show! Host Tanya Murphy opens up about how the underwater world transformed her life - and we welcome a brand new co-host, Brett Goodban.After 16,000 dives on the Great Barrier Reef, a mystery illness nearly ended Brett's life. Doctors said "You'll never dive again." Stripped of his identity and purpose, Brett spiralled into
S1 E16: Top 8 Animals to See at the Great Barrier Reef: Part III
In this jam-packed finale to our three-part series, Master Reef Guide Tahn Miller joins host Tanya Murphy to finally reveal the top three most iconic animals to see on the Reef - and our insider secrets on where, when, and how to find them. If you’re planning a Reef adventure, you won't want to miss this episode!This is Part 3 of our fan-favourite series, "Top 8 Animals to See on the Gre
S1 E15: Top 8 Animals to See At the Great Barrier Reef: Part II
Today we're continuing our countdown of the Top 8 Fantastic Beasts of the Great Barrier Reef and Where to Find Them, with Master Reef Guide Tahn Miller. You won't believe some of the encounters he's had with today's animals!Follow Tahn on InstagramSupport the showHelp Keep Word on the Reef Afloat!Please take 2 minutes to fill out our Word on the Reef Listener Survey to help us
S1 E14: Is the Great Barrier Reef in Danger?
The Great Barrier Reef has just experienced its worst summer on record, with cyclones, severe rainfall, flooding, and its most extreme coral bleaching event ever. The World Heritage Committee has expressed concerns that the Australian Government isn't doing enough to protect the Reef, particularly regarding its climate policies, and advised the Reef may face a possible 'In Danger' l
S1 E13: Top 8 Animals to See at the Great Barrier Reef (and Where to Find Them)
Tahn Miller is a Master Reef Guide who has spent 14 years observing and teaching people about magical creatures on the Great Barrier Reef. Join us as we swap crazy stories about close encounters with these incredible animals, while counting down the Top 8 Fantastic Beasts of the Great Barrier Reef and Where to Find Them! (JK Rowling reference, for the Muggles out there).Follow @TahnMiller on Insta
S1 E12: Whale Season on the Great Barrier Reef with Dr Olaf Meynecke
Winter is an incredible time to see, hear, and even swim with whales on the Great Barrier Reef! But they also get up to some pretty weird things, and today we'll learn all about the secrets of whales from someone who has dedicated his life to studying them.Sign the petition to stop whale entanglements in shark nets Learn more about "Humpbacks and High Rises"Help whales with the Aust
S1 E11: Breaking: Global Coral Bleaching Event with Dr Derek Manzello
It's official - we are in the midst of the world’s worst coral bleaching event on record, affecting two thirds of corals globally, spanning some 64 countries and territories. We've already explored some of the impacts on the Great Barrier Reef - this week we'll head overseas to find out about the impacts in other countries.To see the map discussed in this episode: https://www.noaa.g
S1 E10: Drills and Spills: How The Great Barrier Reef Was Saved from Big Oil
In the 1960s, the future of the Great Barrier Reef was in jeopardy when a covert deal to drill for oil threatened its survival. A brave group of volunteers took on powerful forces and won, saving the Reef for future generations. Today we're talking with two of those heroes - Eddie Hegerl and Di Tarte. This episode reveals their inspiring fight and why their battle still matters today.Support
S1 E9: Coral or Concrete: How the Great Barrier Reef was Saved from Coral Mining
In the late 1960s, the Great Barrier Reef faced destruction from coral mining to supply materials for fertilizer and concrete. Few knew or cared about it, until a group of passionate volunteers stepped in to stop the devastation. In this episode, we meet Eddie Hegerl and Di Tarte, two of the original trailblazers who fought to protect the Reef. Hear their powerful story and explore the hidden hist
S1 E8: Sea Turtles of the Great Barrier Reef with Richard Fitzpatrick
🐢 Sea turtles can grow to the size of a table, navigate using magnets in their brain, and fight off gangs of sharks. 🦈 But after 100 million years in our oceans, their existence is now under threat. This week we visit Raine Island with Marine Biologist and Emmy-winning cinematographer Richard Fitzpatrick to find out why.Support the showHelp Keep Word on the Reef Afloat!Please take 2 minutes to f
S1 E7: Coral restoration on the Great Barrier Reef with Dr Lorna Howlett
This week we visit a coral nursery near Port Douglas, to see how tourism operators are teaming up with scientists to care for their patches of reef. The Coral Nurture Program is showing promising results - but what are its limitations, and what role does it play in protecting our Reef? 🪸Support the showHelp Keep Word on the Reef Afloat!Please take 2 minutes to fill out our Word on the Reef Listene
S1 E6: Coral Bleaching at Lizard Island with Dr Anne Hoggett
The Marine Park Authority has confirmed the Great Barrier Reef is experiencing its seventh mass coral bleaching event - the fifth in just eight years, driven by global warming 🫠 This week we head to stunning Lizard Island to find out what's causing this disaster and what we can all do to help 🏝️ Note: At the end of the episode I mentioned a petition you can sign to help protect the Reef; I&ap
S1 E5: First Peoples of the Great Barrier Reef with Malachi Johnson
“The Reef is our nervous system. It’s made up of land, sea , sky, animals, and people… Once we destroy that nervous system, it’s critical damage for our body. Because we are all one." 🙌🏽 🌏 This week, Gooreng Gooreng man Malachi Johnson talks about how Indigenous ways of viewing the world can help us heal our relationship with the Reef, heal our relationship with each other, and ultimately, he
S1 E4: Breaking: Coral bleaching at Heron Island with Dr Stuart Kininmonth
The Marine Park Authority has confirmed severe coral bleaching is unfolding on the southern section of the Great Barrier Reef 🪸 So this week, we head to Heron Island to meet the island's chief scientist and see first-hand what's happening 🏝️.Support the showHelp Keep Word on the Reef Afloat!Please take 2 minutes to fill out our Word on the Reef Listener Survey to help us apply for fundin
S1 E3: Can Corals Survive Climate Change? With Dr Kate Quigley
What is the limit of coral resilience? To help us unpack this question, this week we're joined by Dr Kate Quigley, a molecular ecologist who has spent years studying corals up close 🪸. Lately, Kate has been selectively breeding corals to try and increase their heat tolerance 🫠 - a race against time as the Reef starts to show the first signs of coral bleaching for 2024.Together, we break down
S1 E2: A Snorkel Tour on the Great Barrier Reef
This week we're off on a snorkelling adventure to meet the curious creatures who built the Great Barrier Reef. 🪸 On this fun and immersive tour, learn which types of coral grow on the Reef, what it's made from, how it grows, what it eats, how it reproduces, what poses the biggest threat to its existence, and what we can all do to protect it!Support the showHelp Keep Word on the Reef Aflo
S1 E1: A Scenic Flight over the Great Barrier Reef!
Meet our host and tour guide Tanya for a scenic flight over the world's largest Reef. ✈️ We'll spot some marine life 🐳 and learn about how the Reef was formed, its history, and some of the threats it is facing. You won’t believe what we’ll see along the way!Support the showHelp Keep Word on the Reef Afloat!Please take 2 minutes to fill out our Word on the Reef Listener Survey to help us
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