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https://theconversation.com/these-underwater-photos-show-norfolk-island-reef-life-still-thrives-from-vibrant-blue-flatworms-to-soft-pink-corals-154473>
"Two weeks ago, I found myself hitting the water on Norfolk Island, complete
with a survey reel, slate and camera.
Norfolk Island is a small volcanic outcrop located between New Caledonia and
New Zealand, 1,400 kilometres east of Australia’s Gold Coast. It’s surrounded
by coral reefs, with a shallow lagoon on the south side that looks out on two
smaller islands: Nepean and Phillip.
The island is picturesque, but like marine environments the world over, Norfolk
Marine Park is subject to pressures from climate change, fishing pressure,
habitat change and pollution.
I was diving in the marine park as a volunteer for Reef Life Survey, a citizen
science program where trained SCUBA divers survey marine biodiversity in rocky
and coral reefs around the world. We first surveyed Norfolk Island in 2009,
then again in 2013, with an eight year hiatus before our return this month.
While the scientific analysis of our data is yet to be done, we can make
anecdotal observations to compare this year’s findings with prior records and
photographs. This time, our surveys turned up several new sightings and
observations."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
