Search For Solutions – Great Barrier Reef Legacy
On 16 November 2018, the ‘Search For Solutions’ team will embark on a research expedition, investigating coral bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef has been significantly impacted by coral bleaching as a result of global warming, with 2016 being a particularly hard-hitting year. When sea temperature rises 1-2 degrees above normal ranges and stay elevated for a long period of time, this can have a negative impact on the coral and consequently the marine life. With the 2018/19 summer expected to have a similar impact on the health of the reef, the need for such research has become crucial.
The expedition is run by the Great Barrier Reef Legacy and is primarily funded by the Northern Escape Collection, utilising the M.Y. Flying Fish within the Collection as a research vessel. This year’s expedition will focus on the far north region of the reef – one of the worst hit areas of previous coral bleaching events. Coral samples will be collected and experimented with, to assess their survival under a changing environmental climate.
The team is composed of talented coral reef scientists, underwater photographers, educators and media communication specialists, who will collaborate to tackle the growing issue of mass coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.
The 2018 expedition follows the success of the previous year, where the first known ‘super coral’ was identified. The super coral was strong enough to survive the effects of the mass bleaching events in 2016, and it is hoped that this discovery will assist in protecting the reef from further damage.