The Great Barrier Reef is bucket list for Cathy and me. We take a high speed catamaran about 60 km / 40 miles from Cairns to the Outer Reef and dock at a pontoon island. It is still stinger jelly fish season so we don very flattering stinger suits. Then off to our snorkeling adventure. The Reef is alive with colored coral and a host of different fish. Later after a buffet lunch we head out in a sub to see some more of the Reef. The finale for us is the fish feeding. In honor of our day on the Reef, I have Coral Trout for dinner.
Before our trip to the Reef we talk to a marine biologist. Cathy and I learn that coral bleaching is actually the coral expelling the algea that gives them their color and turns white
This occurs naturally due to warmer than usual water, lower salinity due to heavy rain and other such stress conditions. When conditions return to normal, the coral takes back the algea and regains its color. They can do this for up to 8 weeks with a 10% fatality rate. So there is real cause for concern with global warming, however more of a threat to the Reef is fishing practices.
Here are some pictures.
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tinerary
Cathy and I are travelling for 30 days in Australia and New Zealand. This is a small group trip with http://oattravel.com .