Reef Ecologic

What do you think has damaged this coral? The top appears to be dead but the bottom looks alive. My hypothesis is that exposure at recent very low tides may be the reason? Alternatively a disease? At John Brewer Reef in approximately 50-1m of water. Australian Citizen Science Association JCU: James Cook University, Australia Australian Coral Reef Society CoralWatch Australian Institute of Marine Science Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Master Reef Guides

Delighted to SCUBA and snorkel with Nick Dametto Mayor of Townsville at John Brewer Reef, MOUA / Museum of Underwater Art. We had a fantastic day of two SCUBA dives, a huge snorkel and he was freediving to 12m depth to photograph underwater sculptures, fish, coral and sharks. We also spoke about community (citizen) science and iNaturalist.org and provided the Mayor with a Sealite camera housing to take his own photos. Australian Citizen Science Association Townsville City Council Townsville Enterprise Adrenalin Dive Underwater Australasia. JCU: James Cook University, Australia Australian Government Nita Green - Senator for Queensland Murray Watt - Senator for Queensland Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Great Barrier Reef Foundation Phillip Thompson OAM MP - Serving Our Community Divers for Climate

The interaction between politicians and the community is often short, sharp and shallow. This was different and Adam Smith and Kerrie EverRocks had a full day of relaxing, talking with Nick Dametto Mayor of Townsville and an inspiring, collaborative, educational experience on the Great Barrier Reef. These opportunities for connection are rare and I entreat more politicians, CEOs, businesses leaders, teachers, scientists and traditional owners to make the time (you are NOT too busy) to see the world with locals. Contact me or the MOUA team if you are interested in joining us on a world class experience.

Awesome diving at John Brewer Reef with Nick Dametto Mayor of Townsville, Kerrie EverRocks, Adrenalin Dive and SCUBA divers and snorkelers from Hungry, America, Italy, Singapore, US, UK, Sydney, Melbourne, Ayr and Townsville. We will upload our species photos to iNaturalist.org so friends can see the biodiversity and beauty. Australian Coral Reef Society JCU: James Cook University, Australia Australian Citizen Science Association Townsville Enterprise Townsville City Council

National Science Week interesting stories about history and people!

The word science comes from the Latin word scientia, which means "knowledge," "expertness," or "experience". This Latin term derives from the verb scire, meaning "to know", which traces back to older Indo-European roots linked to cutting or discerning.

In early English use during the 14th century, "science" referred to collective or specific human knowledge and learning, much like the Greek equivalent episteme.

For centuries, people who studied nature were called "natural philosophers". The word gradually narrowed during the modern era to focus specifically on the physical universe and the methods used to test and prove facts about it.

The word scientist is new. It was coined in 1834 by the English philosopher William Whewell.

Did you know- William Whewell organized thousands of volunteers internationally to study ocean tides, in what is now considered one of the first citizen science projects

CSIRO Australian Citizen Science Association JCU: James Cook University, Australia Queensland Science Network Australian Museum Science for All Science

Fascinating Fish Facts for National Science Week (and try this HARD FISH QUIZ).
1. Fish have existed on Earth for over 500 million years, appearing long before the first dinosaurs walked the land.
2. Living fishes are split into three groups: jawless fish (like lampreys), cartilaginous fish (like sharks and rays), and bony fish (like tuna and trout).
3. The whale shark is the largest living fish in the world, growing upwards of 15 meters long (and 20t in weight), though it feeds on microscopic plankton.
4. Pelagic speedsters like tuna, sailfish and the short-finned mako shark can reach speeds up to 74 km/h, powered by specialized red muscle tissue rich in oxygen-binding compounds.
5. There are more than 5,000 known species of fish living in Australian waters (Nearly a quarter (about 24%) are endemic, meaning they live only in Australia and nowhere else on Earth)
6. Australia has only about 300 to 315 native freshwater fish species because much of the continent is dry and lacks permanent rivers
7. The word 'Fish' comes from the Old English word fisc and Middle English fish, meaning an animal that lives in water. As a family name, it started as a job label for a fisherman or someone who sold fish, or as a nickname for a cold or quiet person.

QUIZ Link- https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAANAAcio4olUNUs2VVVXMEI0Vk01VElVUzhYMlgyRUo0Ri4u&route=shorturl

National Science Week Master Reef Guides iNaturalist.org Australian Citizen Science Association Reef Check Australia JCU: James Cook University, Australia Australian Coral Reef Society Australian Museum Queensland Science Network Healthy Waters Partnership for the Dry Tropics Fishing Australia TV

Limited spots available for trip to John Brewer Reef this Sunday 23 August with Adrenalin Dive. Contact Nadine 47240600 to join MOUA / Museum of Underwater Art Board members Adam Smith and Kerrie EverRocks plus a mystery guest. There will be opportunities for citizen science, iNaturalist.org and the weather forecast looks great. Townsville City Council JCU: James Cook University, Australia Australian Citizen Science Association JCU Marine Society JCU Dive Club Australian Coral Reef Society

Reminder that our next episode of Reef Conversations is today at 11am with Dr Mark Read from Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, as he discusses his work in the Great Barrier Reef Green Turtle Research Program.

This webinar won’t be recorded on request from GBRMPA, so listen in today if you’re interested!

Tune in via Zoom today (Tuesday) 18th August, 11am (AEST)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89571449094?pwd=m72Byp1OXIZnLa3gSnSgispSM1Jzgr.1

JCU: James Cook University, Australia Queensland Science Network Inspiring Australia Queensland

ABC North Queensland radio interview this morning at 7.45am hosted by Michael Clark talking to Adam Smith, Rachelle Brown and Sarah Hodgson about citizen science and iNaturalist.org ambassador program.

MEDIA RELEASE- Global citizen science ambassadors boosted in Townsville and Queensland.

Please see a Media Release from three marine organisations Reef Ecologic, MOUA / Museum of Underwater Art and Reef Check Australia with Adam Smith, Sarah Hodgson and Rachelle Brown and iNaturalist.org

Please contact us if we can assist you with citizen science, events and ocean advocacy

https://reefecologic.org/huge-boost-of-global-citizen-science-ambassadors/

The Australian Damsel (Pomacentrus australis) is a relatively widespread species but was an interesting new species observation for Adam Smith on iNaturalist.org.

Lets find out more. It was named by Allen & Robertson in 1974. Description of four new damselfishes (Pomacentridae) from Papua New Guinea and eastern Australia. Records of the Australian Museum v. 29 (no. 4): 153-167, Pls. 1-5.
The original scientific paper mentions collection by quinaldine, rotenone and explosives. The paper also notes at first glance it might be mistaken for P. pavo

Recorded from northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, and reefs in the Coral Sea, to Merimbula, southern New South Wales; also Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs, and Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea.

This species Inhabits lagoon and outer reefs, either solitary or in small groups in open sandy or rubble areas with occasional coral outcrops. It was hard to photograph and darted into holes in the reef.

Pomacentrus australis has two basic colour morphs: either mostly dark blue (except for pale pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins) or sky-blue above and whitish on the lower half of the body, with the demarcation between the light and dark areas angling upwards posteriorly.

Max length : 8.0 cm

Etymology: Pomacentrus: Greek, poma, -atos = cover, operculum + Greek, kentron = sting

Australian Citizen Science Association JCU: James Cook University, Australia Australian Coral Reef Society Australian Marine Conservation Society Australian Museum Master Reef Guides Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Reef Check Australia Whitsunday Regional Council Redmap - What's on the move in Australian seas? Australian Institute of Marine Science