Following the Port Douglas and District Probus May monthly meeting at The Tin Shed, more than 30 members ventured to The Marina for a Forever Reef tour. Dr Dean Miller delivered an interesting and informative presentation on the Great Barrier Reef Project, outlining both the challenges facing the reef and the innovative solutions being developed to help protect it.
The Forever Reef Project aims to house at least one of every local coral species in its reef tanks, which replicate natural ocean reef conditions to create a living ark. The tanks currently hold more than 200 different coral species, representing over half of the known corals found on the local reef. This world-leading project is crucial in helping ensure corals do not become extinct, much like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway preserves plant biodiversity. In the event of a catastrophic bleaching event and widespread coral loss, the reef could be restored using corals grown in these tanks.
The Probus group was the largest audience the project had hosted since its inception, and members spent more than an hour admiring the remarkable collection of corals. They also learned about two recently discovered coral species—one named in honour of John Rumney for his tireless work on the reef, and the other after David Attenborough in recognition of his lifelong contribution to environmental conservation.
The visit provided members with an encouraging and positive perspective on the future of the Great Barrier Reef. Its survival remains vital both locally and globally, and the experience reinforced the importance of supporting initiatives such as Forever Reef and playing an active role in educating others and protecting the reef’s unique biodiversity.
