From The Scientists, Whitsunday Islands, 17/03/06

We woke in the protected lee of Border Island, a beautiful and popular anchorage on the outer edge of the Whitsunday Islands. Our first survey site was on the western side of Border Island. This is a beautiful reef that has benefited from protection inside a green zone for many years. Despite the low visibility, the diversity and abundance of corals, and frequent sightings of big fish, made for a lovely dive. There were few corals affected by bleaching here, or at the other two inshore reefs we surveyed today (Hayman Island and Langford Reef). In general, only needle corals and the odd fire coral were showing signs of bleaching around the Whitsundays, indicating that the area had suffered only minimal stress from high water temperatures this summer.

The short distances between the survey sites meant an early finish to diving work for today. Dropping anchor in Shoalhaven Bay, we had time for a swim around the boat. The trainees took the chance to show off their high diving antics, doing somersaults and bombs off the high stern of the Pelican. A beautiful sunset over the distant mainland provided a picturesque end to another great day on the Reef.