Monitoring and protecting the reef is no longer a task reserved for scientists, it is now a big part of the job for many people working in the local tourism industry.
Government incentives have assisted with funding to enable operators to engage with environmental projects and a rising trend in tourists seeking eco and educational tours has heightened the demand for meaningful experiences.
Ocean Rafting’s Environmental Manager, James Unsworth encounters this every day with the huge variety of reef protection projects that he is tasked to oversee.
In November during the annual coral spawning event, he was part of a team that conducted the Boats 4 Corals initiative.
Coral spawn was captured and left to culture in large nets before it developed into larvae and was out-planted into the reef.
“Only one in one billion eggs survive to being an adult,” said James.
“And the coral takes three to five years to grow so we have not seen results yet.
“But larvae has settled on the tiles which suggests it is settling on the reef so it is looking positive.”
James is also involved with the Coral Restoration Project through the Coral Nurture Program.
Branching coral that has broken off the reef is collected and “given a second chance” when it is replanted using a coal clip that connects it to the reef bed.
Ocean Rafting has a coral garden at Luncheon Bay where coral is planted and monitored.
“With all the methods we use we try and have as little human impact as possible,” said James.
“We don’t want to play God, the reef is able to recover on its own, we are just giving it a little helping hand.”
Another initiative close to James’ heart is the Rapid Monitoring excursions where he hosts school groups and shows them how to collect data, count sea cucumbers and other marine life while providing educational talks to inspire the next generation.
Moving forward, he is excited about the Reef Protection Initiative which is a government funded project that will allow Ocean Rafting teams to spend 150 days over 18 months conducting reef surveys.
Through Reef Health and Impact Surveys, Ocean Rafting can collect data and report back to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Authority (GBRMPA) who manage the reef and decide on the location of moorings, zones and reef protection markers.
A total of 80 per cent of the Ocean Rafting staff are trained in reef monitoring and James is proud to be part of the team.
Environmental Manager, Master Reef Guide, Skipper and all-round good guy, James Unsworth, moved to Australia from the UK five years ago. Photo credit: Rachael Smith
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