what we are doing to help the reef?
SOUTHERN GREAT BARRIER 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:
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:
Citizen Science-Based Pontoon
Planned to launch mid-2023. The new research pontoon will facilitate:
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:
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: