Word on the Reef
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 Hirschfeld, Water Quality Campaign Manager at the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
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Sign a Submission to strengthen Australia's nature laws to prevent deforestation and other threats to our...S2 E34: Coral Spawning Research and Protecting Mangroves on the Great Barrier Reef
Spring has sprung and itâs 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.
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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 â and now heâs sharing his secret spots with us!
From world-famous coral gardens on the Great Barrier Reef to secret, world-class dive spots youâve never heard of, Steve shares insider stories and tips from a lifetime beneath the waves.
Plus â find out how you could win free dive trips by jo...
S2 E32: Top 50 Dive Sites of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef
Think you know Australiaâs 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 â and now heâs revealing the Top 50 Dive Sites in Australia.
From world-famous coral gardens on the Great Barrier Reef to secret, world-class dive spots youâve never heard of, Steve shares insider stories and tips from a lifetime beneath the waves.
Plus â find out how you could win free dive trips by joining Steveâs Top 50 cha...
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 Reefâs past, presentâand possible future.
Our guest this week is Dr. Adam Smithâfreediver, marine biologist, and founder of Reef Ecologic, a Townsville-based social enterprise leading innovative reef conservation through research, education, and community action.
In this episode, we dive into how art, science, and storytelling are being used in powerful ways to protect one of the worldâs most iconic ecosystems. You'll discover how public art installations beneath...
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 South Australian community. She'll also take us inside the Senate Inquiry into the disaster, and let us know which of SA's dive sites are still safe to visit.
Sign the...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 the end of this episode is from Gavin's 2018 TEDx Talk at JCU.
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Dawul Wuru Aboriginal CorporationYirrganydji Land and Sea Ranger Programđ¸ WIN $100! Fill out our...
S2 E28: Corals' Last Stand: The Fight to Save Scott Reef
Scott Reef, Australiaâs 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 whatâs at stake and how we can fight back.
Plus: we unpack Australiaâs new 2035 climate target with AMCS Reef Campaigner Lissa Schindler â and why experts say itâs not enough to protect our oceans.
Thumb...
S2 E27: Stronger Storms, Stronger Solutions: Saving Coral After Cyclones
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 thereâs hope! In this weekâs episode, we dive into an innovative solution thatâs helping damaged reefs bounce back â and discover how you can play a role in bringing them back to life again!
This week's guest: Freda Nicholson, marine biologist and Program Manager for Mars Sustainable Solutions.
Shout-out to our latest Patreon...
S2 E26: Restoring Seagrass on the Great Barrier Reef with Dr Tim Smith
Seagrass meadows are the unsung heroes of the Great Barrier Reef â 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, dugong poo, 2,000 baby seagrass plants â and an army of everyday volunteers.
đ§ In this episode, dive into a world-first tropical seagrass restoration project and discover how you can be part of the solution.
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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 freeâwhile 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 Australiaâs General Manager, Jodi Salmond, shares how you can get involved and play a hands-on role in protecting this natural wonder.
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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!
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S2 E23: Swimming Against the Current: Overcoming Fear, Failure, and Neurodivergence to Become a Global Shark Advocate
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.
Weâll also chat about her journey on Netflixâs All The Sharksâno spoilers, we promise!
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S2 E22: Dammed if you Don't: Saving Fish from Migration Mayhem
Did you know some of our marine fish are living DOUBLE LIVES? Thatâs right, they want the best of both worlds, saltwater and freshwater. So one minute theyâre living the dream on a beautiful coral reef, next minute theyâve decided they need a tree change, and theyâre swimming up into our rivers. What are they doing there? And importantly â what happens when humans build dams, causeways and other watery traffic jams that block these fish from finishing their migration missions?
This week's guest: Sean Georgeson, Fish Ecologist and founder of www.coralition.org | ww...S2 E21: SPOTTED: The Great Barrier Reef's first known Whale Shark Aggregation Site
Whale sharksâharmless, majestic giantsâhave long been mystery visitors on the Great Barrier Reef, their movements shrouded in secrecy... until now. In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified the Reefâs first known whale shark aggregation site. Join us as we uncover where these elusive creatures have been hiding with Ingo Millerâmarine biologist turned shark detective. On a mission to find and protect the worldâs largest fish before itâs too late, Ingo followed the clues to their secret gathering spot. Want to know where it is? Youâll have to tune in to find out.
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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 week!
We also chat with Dave George from the Cairns Nautilus Scuba Club, who shares why joining your local dive c...
S2 E19: Modern Day Castaway: A Gruelling 50 Days Alone on the Reef
Meet Mike Atkinson â 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 â from Townsville to the Torres Strait â using only traditional, handmade fishing and hunting tools. No engine. No GPS. No esky.
Surviving on stingray, dried kangaroo, and sheer determination, Mike faced crocodiles, storms, and solitude â all in a quest to reconnect with nature and spotlight the urgent need to protect the Reef and honour Indigenous knowledge.
This is more than a s...
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 weâre joined by Mike Scotland - marine biologist, underwater photographer, and editor of DiveLog Magazine. With 50 years of diving, thousands of dives, and two books under his weight belt (Marine Biology in the Wild and Diving With Sharks), Mikeâs here to tell us why humans have more...
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 the âTrawl Wars,' and unfortunately, it did not happen in a galaxy far, far away.
In this episode, weâre joined by legendary conservationist Im...
S2 E16: Shark Tracker: The Wild Life of Richard Fitzpatrick
Richard Fitzpatrick wants to change the way you think about sharks.
Ever since he kept a pet shark as a kid, Richard has made it his lifeâs mission to rewrite the story of one of the oceanâs most misunderstood predators. Now an Emmy-winning cinematographer, marine biologist and shark researcher, heâs spent more than 15,000 hours swimming with sharks â filming them, tagging them, and tracking them for science, often using wildly unorthodox (and very hands-on) methods.
In this episode of Word on the Reef, learn how to rope and tame a wild shark, w...
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 world are helping monitor coral health - no snorkel or flippers required! Nicole shares how the data you analyse on your phone or laptop...
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 based in Cairns. Sarah's love of the Reef has inspired her to trace water pollution back to its roots: literally. Sarah is the powerhouse behind two not-for-profit reforestation initiatives - TreeForce Cairns...
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 âcorrectly," they escape - blown by wind, swept by rain - ending up in rivers, oceans, and inside marine life. From turtles mistaking bags for jellyfish to seabirds literally crunching from the plastic in their guts, our throwaway culture is devastating wildlife⌠and itâs...
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 Co-Founder of the Great Southern Reef Foundation,
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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 anywhere!
Joining us this week is marine scientist and climate campaigner Dr Yolanda Waters, founder and CEO of Divers for Climate, to share real...
S2 E10: Trash Talk: Inside the Marine Debris Crisis on the Great Barrier Reef â and What You Can Do
This week we head to the remote beaches of the Great Barrier Reefâwhere 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 global plastic policies, Heidi shares her extraordinary storyâand the innovative ways sheâs turning data into action.
Discover where this plastic really comes...
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 Adventuresâand 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 for stronger climate leadership, while reminding us that the Reef is still alive, breathtaking, and worth fighting for.
Also in this episode: How do we talk to others ab...
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, weâre joined by Maria Poulos Conklin, Head of Government Relations at the Australian Conservation Foundation, who breaks down ACF's powerful Election Scorecard, comparing how each major party stacks up on climate and environmental policies... and let's just say it's a little confronting!
PLUS, all th...
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 â 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.
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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. Thatâs right â the Reefâs in hot water, and some leaders are still dodging the science like slippery eels.
Weâre joined by special guest Simon Miller from the Austral...
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 worldâs largest fringing reef, now sadly in the grips of a mass bleaching event.
From emus on the beach to seals frolicking with corals, this is both a love letter to WAâs reefs and a powerful wake...
S2 E5: Paradise in Peril: Lizard Island's Reefs on the Brink
This week we're heading back to spectacular Lizard Island to uncover whatâs changed since last yearâs 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 waters to diving deep into marine heatwaves, coral adaptation, and reef restoration, this episode is a rollercoaster of awe, hope, and heartbreak. Discover why Lizard Island has been visited by the likes of Dav...
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 Reefâs current coral bleaching crisis with marine social scientist and CEO of Divers for Climate, Dr. Yolanda Waters.
đŹ Whatâs causing this widespread bleaching event?
 đ How does reef tourism play a crucial role in protecting our oceans?
 𤿠What can divers, snorkelers, and everyday citizens do to take action?
Join us as we explore Yolandaâs groundbreaking research on how climate conversations in tourism can inspire real change. From the power of education on the reef to the actions we can take beyond the w...
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 â from swimming alongside the planetâs largest animal, to eavesdropping on a humpback whale krill hunt. Along the way, weâll dodge jaguars and flesh-eating ants in the Amazon, and learn why you canât hide anything from a whale (spoiler: they can literally see through you). Strap in â itâs a wild ride.Â
It's our third week broadcasting the show live on CairnsFM 89.1 and it's a cracker! Catch us live every Friday at cairnsfm891.org.au for your weekly deep dive into the...
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 neighbourhood (spoiler: they are messy!)
It's our second week broadcasting the show live on CairnsFM 89.1 and it's a cracker! Catch us live every Friday at cairnsfm891.org.au...
S2 E1: Heartbreak and Healing on the Great Barrier Reef: How the Ocean Gave Me A Second Chance At Life
Word on the Reef is back â and now broadcasting live on CairnsFM 89.1 every Friday at 10am (Queensland Time)! Tune in on your radio or stream online at cairnsfm891.org.au for your weekly deep dive into marine science on the Great Barrier ReEef and beyond!
In our Season Two premiere, host Tanya Murphy opens up about how the underwater world transformed her life â and we welcome a brand new co-host, Brett Goodban.
Brett had racked up over 16,000 dives and was living his dream life as an underwater photographer on the Reef when heartbreak stru...
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 youâre 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 Great Barrier Reef â and Where to Find Them", which began back in Season 1, Episode 13. If you havenât heard the first two episod...
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!
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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' listing. To explain what that means and what we need to do about it, our guest this week is Reef and World Heritage Expert Dr Jon Day.
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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).
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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.
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