DESPITE constant reports of the poor condition of the Great Barrier Reef "it is not the time to pack up the snorkels and go home".
Speaking at a convention of the Australian Society of Travel Writers in Cairns, Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority chief scientist Dr David Wachenfeld said it was "time to toughen up and work harder to protect the reef".
In a panel discussion with master reef guide and marine biologist Dr Glen Burns and Tourism Tropical North Queensland chair Wendy Morris, Dr Wachenfield said huge parts of the reef look as good as they always have, while some coral reefs are going through the recovery process.
The experts agreed the biggest threat to the reef was apathy.
Their message? "Don't give up on one of the most iconic places in the world today. Ask instead what you can do to help."
The organisation Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef has a number of projects, including the Great Reef Census later this year which will survey as much as possible of the 2300km length of the reef utilising everything from tour boats to scuba divers.
Another way to help is to adopt a coral. Coral rescued from the sea floor at Fitzroy Island is given a second chance to form new reef structures near an ocean-based nursery in Cairns. Corals grown there will be transplanted on degraded reefs.
Last November's coral spawning reported encouraging results, with three times the volume of eggs and sperm compared to 2018.
Marine biologist Stuart Ireland said this showed the reef was resilient despite the challenges thrown at it.
"The fact we are seeing corals spawning means the functionality of the ecosystem is working; and while we see this, along with recruitment and regeneration, we can all have some hope about the reef's future," he said.
However, he stressed that humans need to minimise their impact on the reef so it can continue its natural cycles.
Coral Expeditions will offer a re-imagined program of Great Barrier Reef expeditions from June 2021.
Its new seven-night expedition, Outerknown Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef, focuses on the lesser-known outer reefs and islands and the marine life, cultural and natural heritage of the reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
For more on the Reef Restoration Foundation and its coral nurseries, click HERE
