Did you know Aussies are among the worst plastic polluters on the planet - second only to Singapore for our use of single-use plastic packaging? Every year, 145,000 tonnes of plastic waste leak into our environment, and most of it comes from our supermarkets. Many of these plastics are not recyclable, and even when binned “correctly," they escape - blown by wind, swept by rain - ending up in rivers, oceans, and inside marine life. From turtles mistaking bags for jellyfish to seabirds literall...
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Did you know Aussies are among the worst plastic polluters on the planet - second only to Singapore for our use of single-use plastic packaging? Every year, 145,000 tonnes of plastic waste leak into our environment, and most of it comes from our supermarkets. Many of these plastics are not recyclable, and even when binned “correctly," they escape - blown by wind, swept by rain - ending up in rivers, oceans, and inside marine life. From turtles mistaking bags for jellyfish to seabirds literall...
Did you know Aussies are among the worst plastic polluters on the planet - second only to Singapore for our use of single-use plastic packaging? Every year, 145,000 tonnes of plastic waste leak into our environment, and most of it comes from our supermarkets. Many of these plastics are not recyclable, and even when binned “correctly," they escape - blown by wind, swept by rain - ending up in rivers, oceans, and inside marine life. From turtles mistaking bags for jellyfish to seabirds literall...
The Great Southern Reef is an 8,000-kilometre stretch of temperate rocky reefs and kelp forests that hugs the southern coastline of Australia from Sydney to Perth. It’s home to incredible marine life like leafy sea dragons, giant cuttlefish, octopuses, and playful seals. It’s a $11.56 billion cornerstone of local economies and part of our way of life for millions of Aussies. But it’s also under serious threat. Join us as we chat with Stefan Andrews, marine biologist, filmmaker, educator, and ...
Climate Change is the biggest threat to coral reefs worldwide, causing unprecedented coral bleaching events. But here's the good news: individuals can take powerful, practical climate action to help save the Great Barrier Reef — and some of the soltuions might surprise you! Joining us this week is marine scientist and climate campaigner Dr Yolanda Waters, founder and CEO of Divers for Climate, to share real, tangible ways to take action — no matter who you are or where you live. In this episo...
This week we head to the remote beaches of the Great Barrier Reef—where plastic pollution is piling up faster than we can clean it. But is picking up rubbish really the solution? Or just the beginning? Join us as we play trash detective with marine debris expert Heidi Tait, founder of Tangaroa Blue and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative. From her early days as a dive instructor to shaping global plastic policies, Heidi shares her extraordinary story—and the innovative ways she’s turning ...
Brett Wright has spent the past 30 years taking visitors to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas with his tour company Windswell Adventures—and he's seen the changes up close. From worsening coral bleaching to the devastation of extreme weather events, climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a reality affecting his livelihood and the Reef he loves. Brett shares a heartfelt call for stronger climate leadership, while reminding us that the Reef is still alive, breathtaking, and wo...
In this special Election Edition of Word on the Reef, Tanya Murphy and Brett Goodban dive into one of the most critical questions facing Australians ahead of the Federal Election: Who has the best plan to save the Great Barrier Reef? To find out, we’re joined by Maria Poulos Conklin, Head of Government Relations at the Australian Conservation Foundation, who breaks down ACF's powerful Election Scorecard, comparing how each major party stacks up on climate and environmental policies... and let...
The federal election is just two weeks away — and it turns out some politicians are still floundering when it comes to climate change. While the Reef suffers, some parties are busy serving up red herrings instead of real solutions. This week Tanya Murphy and Brett Goodban dive into the national emergency that should be making front-page news: the GBR's sixth mass coral bleaching in nine years. That’s right — the Reef’s in hot water, and some leaders are still dodging the science like s...
This week, our guest is West Australian coral ecologist Associate Professor Zoe Richards, who's had some extraordinary adventures—diving with crocodiles, discovering new coral species and surveying nuclear bomb sites! We'll journey to Micronesia to uncover an ancient civilisation that built mysterious structures from coral, and to Ningaloo, the world’s largest fringing reef, now sadly in the grips of a mass bleaching event. From emus on the beach to seals frolicking with corals, this is both...
This week we're heading back to spectacular Lizard Island to uncover what’s changed since last year’s record-breaking coral bleaching event. New research station co-director Dr David Abrego takes us a vivid tour of this world-renowned reef science hub and shares the sobering reality of back-to-back bleaching events that are pushing corals to the brink. From flying over glittering turquoise waters to diving deep into marine heatwaves, coral adaptation, and reef restoration, this ep...
This week, we dive deep into the heart of the Great Barrier Reef’s current coral bleaching crisis with marine social scientist and CEO of Divers for Climate, Dr. Yolanda Waters. 🔬 What’s causing this widespread bleaching event? 🌍 How does reef tourism play a crucial role in protecting our oceans? 🤿 What can divers, snorkelers, and everyday citizens do to take action? Join us as we explore Yolanda’s groundbreaking research on how climate conversations in tourism can inspire real ch...
This week, conservationist, photographer and filmmaker Christian Miller takes us on an unforgettable journey — from swimming alongside the planet’s largest animal, to eavesdropping on a humpback whale krill hunt. Along the way, we’ll dodge jaguars and flesh-eating ants in the Amazon, and learn why you can’t hide anything from a whale (spoiler: they can literally see through you). Strap in — it’s a wild ride. It's our third week broadcasting the show live on CairnsFM 89.1 and it's a cra...
This week, marine biologist and underwater photographer Lawrence Scheele takes us beneath the surface at Magnetic Island for a wild and wonderful tour of its marine life. Discover how jellyfish can detect and dodge humans (despite having no brains), why attempting sign language with a cuttlefish is a big mistake, and how to spot the telltale signs that an octopus might be living in your neighbourhood (spoiler: they are messy!) It's our second week broadcasting the show live on CairnsFM 89.1 a...
Word on the Reef is back — and now broadcasting live on CairnsFM 89.1 every Friday at 10am (Queensland Time)! Tune in on your radio or stream online at cairnsfm891.org.au for your weekly deep dive into marine science on the Great Barrier ReEef and beyond! In our Season Two premiere, host Tanya Murphy opens up about how the underwater world transformed her life — and we welcome a brand new co-host, Brett Goodban. Brett had racked up over 16,000 dives and was living his dream life as an underwa...
Today we're continuing our countdown of the Top 8 Fantastic Beasts of the Great Barrier Reef and Where to Find Them, with Master Reef Guide Tahn Miller. You won't believe some of the encounters he's had with today's animals! Follow Tahn on Instagram Support the show Got questions? Text us on 0437 835 937 or email info@wordonthereef.org Sign the Petition, asking the Australian Government for stronger policies to protect the Great Barrier Reef. Support Word on the Reef on Patreon Follow @Wor...
The Great Barrier Reef has just experienced its worst summer on record, with cyclones, severe rainfall, flooding, and its most extreme coral bleaching event ever. The World Heritage Committee has expressed concerns that the Australian Government isn't doing enough to protect the Reef, particularly regarding its climate policies, and advised the Reef may face a possible 'In Danger' listing. To explain what that means and what we need to do about it, our guest this week is Reef and World Herita...
Tahn Miller is a Master Reef Guide who has spent 14 years observing and teaching people about magical creatures on the Great Barrier Reef. Join us as we swap crazy stories about close encounters with these incredible animals, while counting down the Top 8 Fantastic Beasts of the Great Barrier Reef and Where to Find Them! (JK Rowling reference, for the Muggles out there). Follow @TahnMiller on InstagramFollow Tahn on YouTubeSupport the show Got questions? Text us on 0437 835 937 or email info...
Winter is an incredible time to see, hear, and even swim with whales on the Great Barrier Reef! But they also get up to some pretty weird things, and today we'll learn all about the secrets of whales from someone who has dedicated his life to studying them. Sign the petition to stop whale entanglements in shark nets Learn more about "Humpbacks and High Rises"Help whales with the Australian Marine Conservation Society's whale protection campaign.Support the show Got questions? Text us on...
It's official - we are in the midst of the world’s worst coral bleaching event on record, affecting two thirds of corals globally, spanning some 64 countries and territories. We've already explored some of the impacts on the Great Barrier Reef - this week we'll head overseas to find out about the impacts in other countries. To see the map discussed in this episode: https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-confirms-4th-global-coral-bleaching-event Support the show Got questions? Text us on 043...
In the 1960s, the future of the Great Barrier Reef was in jeopardy when a covert deal to drill for oil threatened its survival. A brave group of volunteers took on powerful forces and won, saving the Reef for future generations. Today we're talking with two of those heroes - Eddie Hegerl and Di Tarte. This episode reveals their inspiring fight and why their battle still matters today. Support the show Got questions? Text us on 0437 835 937 or email info@wordonthereef.org Sign the Petition, ...
In the late 1960s, the Great Barrier Reef faced destruction from coral mining to supply materials for fertilizer and concrete. Few knew or cared about it, until a group of passionate volunteers stepped in to stop the devastation. In this episode, we meet Eddie Hegerl and Di Tarte, two of the original trailblazers who fought to protect the Reef. Hear their powerful story and explore the hidden history of how close we came to losing one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Episode Image: A...
Did you know Aussies are among the worst plastic polluters on the planet - second only to Singapore for our use of single-use plastic packaging? Every year, 145,000 tonnes of plastic waste leak into our environment, and most of it comes from our supermarkets. Many of these plastics are not recyclable, and even when binned “correctly," they escape - blown by wind, swept by rain - ending up in rivers, oceans, and inside marine life. From turtles mistaking bags for jellyfish to seabirds literall...
