what we are doing to help the reef?

Over the years, Lady Musgrave Experience has launched regeneration and reef restoration initiatives such as our Marine Biologist for a Day and Reef Keeper citizen science programs. Across the scope of these activities, we have managed to increase our knowledge about our local sites and the threats they may face, which in turn helps us to better manage them to keep our reef vibrant, healthy and thriving.

 The Reef Keepers are a local community group dedicated to monitoring the local reef and sharing positive reef health messages with the local community.  In their first six months of activities the Reef Keepers conducted CoralWatch and Eye on the Reef surveys, entering information into databases which are used to better understand and manage reef health and their associated threats.

Our Marine Biologist for a Day program also contributes  important information to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on threats such as Crown of thorns starfish,  which allowed management and control activities to be undertaking before the threats became a serious one.  Thanks to our citizen science programs and our strong partnership with management authorities Lady Musgrave Experience with the help of its guests  is able to keep a close eye on reef health and ensure that the reef is well cared for and given the best chance to build resilience and respond to stress.

Tourism Activation and Reef Protection Initiative (2021 – Ongoing)

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority funded initiative aimed at promoting and protecting the values of the GBR through visitor education, data collection and predation culling.  Lady Musgrave Experience conducts Reef Health Impact Surveys, Tourism Weekly Surveys, Visitor Education Activities and predation culling between Lady Musgrave Island and Fairfax Islands. Our team continues to monitor, report and protect although the project is now complete.  Click to watch video.

Outcomes from this initiative:

• Delivered 10,800 hours of educational content to 2,507 guests across 77 days
• Conducted 39 Tourism Weekly surveys reported to EOTR used in assessing the long term impact of tourism activities on set visitor snorkeling areas within the LMI lagoon
• Conducted 173 RHIS surveys between Fairfax Island, LMI outer reef and in the lagoon, reporting data to EOTR contributing to GBR health monitoring data on the SGBR
• 1600+ hours of Crown of Thorns (CoTs) and Drupella control surveys and culling activities. Trained LME crew snorkel and dive different locations surrounding LMI, Fairfax Islands and in the lagoon each day identifying CoTs and Drupella to be culled.

Coral Transplanting in Lady Musgrave Island Lagoon 

In August 2021, we identified the opportunity to participate in coral transplantation at the new pontoon site to encourage regeneration of various coral species in LMI lagoon.  This restoration project, was collaboratively undertaken with Monsoon Aquatics coral specialists. Monthly monitoring of transplanted coral health and growth taking place to date by LME crew.

Outcomes:

• 100 healthy coral pieces transplanted at various locations around the new pontoon site
• 5 different hard coral species transplanted
• 100% successful – all coral transplanted is growing healthy to date
• Restoration/regeneration of coral in LMI lagoon that has been impacted by predation, environmental and human impacts

Citizen Science-Based Pontoon

Planned to launch mid-2023. The new research pontoon will facilitate:

• high quality experiential learning for our guests
• data collection and research monitoring through our wildlife ecology team and collaborative partners such as Gidarjil Sea Rangers
• Marine-Biologist-for-a-Day activities
• Reef Keeper program research hub
• Guided Snorkel Safaris
• Coral adoption and transplanting program activities
• Reef health surveys conducted by our wildlife ecology team and collaborative partners

Recognizing Risks and Minimizing Tourism Impacts

Our operational philosophy is ‘take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints’. As a GBRMPA recognised High Standard Tourism Operator we voluntarily work to a higher standard than legislation requires recognising the importance of operating with a minimal impact on natural environments.  Advanced Eco-certified since 2018 we invest in development and innovation of our products to meet our sustainability goals.

Identifying potential threats/risks to natural environments we have outlined mitigating actions, operational standards and guest management strategies to reduce/mitigate impacts.  Ensuring guests are aware of how they can help conserve LMI we communicate messaging using:

• Confirmation Email containing important information regarding the tour, green zones, what is prohibited (eg. non-reef safe sunscreen, taking of coral, fishing activities, interfering with marine life)
• Reminder Email sent three days prior to departure reiterating confirmation email
• Onboard safety briefings
• Information hub onboard – interpretation charts
• Staff ‘rounds’ speaking with all guests about the day, reef, ecosystems and wildlife encounters during transfer to LMI
• Reef Presentation takes place 20 mins prior to arrival at LMI on coral reef health, species identification and interaction and sustainable tourism within the Marine Park.
• LMHQ pontoon safety briefing announced on entrance to LMI lagoon informing guests ‘nothing is to go overboard’, ‘please do not touch, stand on or take coral’ and please abide by all directions provided by LME crew whilst visiting LMI
• Snorkel Briefing: prior to any guests entering the water they must participate in a snorkel brief delivered by snorkel guide/lookout
• Island walking tour with wildlife ecologist on sustainable tourism and wildlife encounters
• Informative Glass-bottom boat tour providing information about the marine ecosystem and conservation activities

Our Environmental Management Plan has been drafted in accordance with world’s best operating practices and legislation from GBRMPA for a daily tourist operation on the GBR.  There are 4 key pillars to our EMP:

• Minimise Impacts of Tourism Activities
• Monitor and Protect
• Rehabilitation and Improve Conservation
• Encourage, Educate and Inspire Visitor & Community – participation in reef protection through;
  – Citizen Science activities/programs
  – community outreach/events
  – school visitation/presentations/programs
  – daily tour activities
  – leaders in innovative products, services and fleet