Page 18 - Tropic Magazine Issue 13

INDUSTRY • TOURISM

Powering the reef

A unique coral research project
is underway at Arlington Reef.
Steel-mesh panels placed over coral
rubble will receive low voltage jolts of
electricity in a bid to stimulate coral
growth as part of cutting-edge research same number of control panels with similar resilience into our site and enhance this
at Agincourt Reef. coral colonies attached to them are not specific coral bommie. We hope within
The project by Reef Ecological and connected to the power source. one year the ‘powered’ coral will have no
Quicksilver’s Reef Biosearch division is Guests on board Quicksilver tours to visual signs of the support structures.
an Australian-first aimed at restoring Agincourt Reef can view the project By making this research project visible
damaged coral that had been impacted while snorkelling. to our snorkellers, we are confident
by cyclonic waves several years ago. Quicksilver Group managing director that our passengers will gain a further
Researchers installed three steel mesh Tony Baker said the company was understanding of reef systems and
panels of 1.5 x 3 metres each over an area thrilled to be involved in this ground- how Quicksilver is being pro-active in
of coral rubble, initially aimed at stabilise breaking project. assisting the rehabilitation of coral reefs.”
the area so small “recruit colonies” can be “As we know, coral reefs around the The coral colonies will be measured
attached to the mesh. The mesh is then world are susceptible to many types of regularly to compare growth rates and
attached to a power source and receives impacts both natural and man-made,” it is hoped this rehabilitation technique
a constant low volt of electricity. The very he said. “The small coral bommie we are will assist in making areas such as this
low voltage rates are enough to stimulate restoring was impacted by cyclonic waves research site more resilient in future
growth on the metal frames by allowing the a few years ago and the instability of the natural disturbances.
assisted corals to deposit calcium carbonate substrate has not helped in the natural
at a rate of up to three to five times greater recovery of new corals. We believe
than normal. To evaluate the project, the this reef restoration project can build MORE: quicksilver-cruises.com

Domestic boost Hey big spenders

It’s only a short-term capacity boost,
but an important one nonetheless. Up On average, international travellers
spend more per night of stay in
until November 11, Qantas passengers the Tropical North than they do in
travelling on selected Cairns services capital cities.
between Sydney and Melbourne will
fly on Airbus 330 planes. The larger
aircraft will increase capacity by AVERAGE SPEND PER VISITOR
nearly 6000 seats during the two- PER NIGHT
month trial period compared to
normal Boeing 737 flights. Tourism
industry figures have welcomed
the trial given an estimated 75%
of international visitors to Cairns $89 $89 $118 $132 $169
arrive via domestic flights. The extra
seats could open up the potential for Brisbane Perth Sydney Melbourne TNQ
more Australian travellers to visit the Source: International Visitor Survey, March 2018
Tropical North.

18 • Tropic • Issue 14