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Reef Check Australia

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Reef Check Australia

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An award-winning conservation charity engaging the Australian community in reef monitoring, education and conservation. GET INVOLVED!

We believe there is hope for reefs if we act now. Our teams of trained volunteer divers are part of a worldwide network of volunteers who regularly monitor and report on reef health in more than 90 countries. Each project uses the same standardised Reef Check scientific survey method and basic indicators, helping to both monitor reefs on a local scale and compare reef health on a global scale. Reef Check Australia has been monitoring the Great Barrier Reef since 2001 and extended to monitor rocky reefs in South East Queensland in 2007. In 2013 we will expand our program to the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia.

16/10/2026

On the 5th of Saturday 2026, Reef Check Australia ambassador headed down to Mooloolaba foreshore to engage the community at a wonderful local annual event – Nurture Festival 2026! Nurture festival is designed to bring the local community together in a fun, engaging manner for all to enjoy a beautiful Saturday looking out onto the beaches of the Sunshine Coast.

Nurture festival is designed to celebrate and promote awareness of youth mental wellness, and the day was packed with creativity, adventure, connection and fun! This year was the 5th anniversary of the event and it couldn’t have been any better. The day was sunny, little to no wind and your view was the beautiful sea off Mooloolaba filled with whales this time of year.

Reef Check Australia had three ambassadors presented throughout the day engaging locals in marine conservation, showing them photos of a beautiful reefs around South-East Queensland and letting them know what beautiful seascapes we have hiding below the surface.

We were even lucky enough to have humpback whales say hello behind us, waving at us from the ocean as we hung out along the beaches.

We would like to thank the Kubbi Kubbi peoples of the Sunshine Coast, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging as they are the traditional owners of the land in which we live, work and play on. We would also like to thank the Reef Check Australia volunteers who helped out on the day, Mask Events for organising such a grand event, and the Sunshine Coast Council for supporting Reef Check Australia to engage in local community conservation conversations such as the many ones we had on this day.

15/10/2026

The end of an era for Peel Island reef restoration. 🪸

After three years exploring whether reef restoration could work in Moreton Bay, we’ve now removed the restoration structures, as directed.

It was a hard moment for our team. The structures had supported an incredible amount of life, including kilos of oysters, ascidians and coral. They had also become popular gathering places for beautiful fish species. We removed that growth as carefully as we could, but knowing it had to come away was difficult, especially after working so hard to help it grow.

Fish species included large sweetlips, bream, some varieties of snapper, venus tuskfish, lionfish, some junior red emperor and many more.

There is sadness in closing this chapter, and pride in what we learned. Even on a very small scale, the project showed that reef restoration is possible in this region. The structures gave us a chance to see what could settle and grow in Moreton Bay. It also provided foundational steps towards any future potential restoration projects in Moreton Bay, giving them some hints as to what does and does not work.

And their story isn’t quite over. Once cleaned, the structures have been given a new home on land, where they’ll support further growth in a different way.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible, and to the community who followed its progress. We’ll carry what we learned into the next chapter of reef restoration.

13/10/2026

Jodi chats to the Crawdad Spotics 6th grade robotics team! 🤖

A lovely early start for me this morning, joining a FIRST LEGO League robotics team in the US to talk about reef monitoring and marine conservation.

The students are exploring this year’s BIOGLOW challenge, which asks them to start with a real-world problem and think about how technology and creative problem-solving might help. We talked about some of the challenges we face in monitoring reefs, and why good ideas often begin with being curious about what’s happening in the real world.

At Reef Check Australia, we’ve spent more than 20 years working with communities to monitor reef health. It was a pleasure to share a little of that experience with students who are already thinking about how they could make a difference.

I’m always encouraged when young people are given space to ask big questions, explore problems and come up with their own ideas. You never know where one of those ideas might lead.

Thanks to Patricia Johnston for bringing us together, and to Leslie Sawyer for the introduction. It was a pleasure to meet the team and be part of their exploration.

11/10/2026

Wavebreak Island, you certainly keep us on our toes. 🌊

Last week, our Reef Check Australia team headed back beneath the surface at Wavebreak Island for another seafloor clean-up.

It’s a site we love, but it can also be a tricky one. Conditions can move quickly through here, so we allowed plenty of extra time to make sure we could work safely. This time, the ocean played nicely. Beautiful conditions and great visibility meant we could get a good look at what was hiding on the seafloor.

And there was plenty.

Our volunteers removed 18.5 kg of debris, including more than 80 pieces of fishing line, fishing debris, rope and cord, plastic bags, a bathmat, a corrugated vacuum hose, a tent, a doona cover, a bread tie and, somewhat inexplicably, several pairs of men’s underpants.

One thing that stayed behind was a large tyre. It was simply too difficult to safely remove on the day, but it had also become home to marine life. A good reminder that underwater clean-ups aren’t always as simple as “rubbish = remove”. We need to consider safety, what has started living on or around an item, and whether removing it might cause more disturbance than leaving it in place.

Wavebreak Island is incredibly popular with divers, snorkellers and boat traffic, and unfortunately, we continue to find significant amounts of debris here. Fishing line and other entanglement hazards are particularly important to remove before they become a problem for marine life.

Speaking of marine life, the clean-up crew had plenty of company, including lots of nudibranchs and one particularly impressive stonefish.

Can you spot it in the photo? 👀

A huge thank you to our volunteers who gave their time to help clean up this little patch of underwater Gold Coast. Thankyou also to Gold Coast Dive Adventures for getting us to site and back again. It takes a village, so thank you.

Reef Check Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and sea Country where we work and pays respect to Elders past and present.

The ‘Shore to Seafloor: Tackling Marine Debris Across the Marine Environment’ project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.

And a little challenge for the next time you’re out exploring our coast: pick up one thing that doesn’t belong there.

One piece of fishing line. One bit of plastic. One piece of rubbish.
Every little bit removed is one less piece left in our ocean. 💙

💙 Keen to join us on the next one?
🌐 www.reefcheckaustralia.org

10/10/2026

🌊☀️ Some dive sites make you work a little harder for your rewards.
The Pipe at the Gold Coast Seaway is one of those places. Known for its stronger currents, it can be a challenging location for an underwater clean-up, requiring careful planning and good conditions. Fortunately, nature was on our side, delivering beautiful weather and crystal-clear visibility of around 10 - 15 metres.

As our team entered the water, it quickly became apparent that we weren't the only ones making the most of the conditions. Divers, snorkelers and swimmers were out in force, enjoying a stunning day on the coast. The easy access at the site was also a welcome bonus, making it much easier for our divers to transport their clean-up gear to and from the water. 🤿

Beneath the surface, the familiar story of marine debris unfolded.

Our team recovered a substantial amount of fishing-related debris, including both monofilament and braided fishing line. Tangled amongst the rocks were larger hooks, jigs and lures, along with heavier fishing gear often used to target larger fish species. While these items are often lost accidentally, once left behind they can continue to impact marine life and underwater habitats.

The excellent visibility allowed our divers to thoroughly search the area, revealing fishing gear that may otherwise have gone unnoticed. Each piece removed is one less hazard for the fish, turtles and other marine animals that share these waters.

What stood out most, however, was the contrast between the vibrant underwater environment and the debris hidden amongst it. The Seaway was alive with activity both above and below the waterline, a reminder of just how valued this area is by the community.

Days like these highlight why underwater clean-ups are so important. They help protect popular recreational areas, support healthy marine ecosystems and ensure future visitors can continue to enjoy these incredible underwater spaces.

A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers who took on the currents and helped make the Seaway a little cleaner. Every piece of fishing line, every lure and every hook removed helps create a safer environment for marine life and everyone who enjoys this remarkable stretch of coastline. 💙

The ‘Shore to Seafloor: Tackling Marine Debris Across the Marine Environment’ project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.
Sign up for our enews letter to stay up to date!
🌐 www.reefcheckaustralia.org

09/10/2026

🌺🐢 From Australia to Hawai'i: Reef Stewardship Knows No Borders 🌊

For Reef Check Australia Ambassador Tracey Ha'aolakaināpali, the ocean has always been a place of healing, connection and joy. During a recent visit to Hawai'i's Big Island, Tracey spent her mornings snorkelling in the beautiful waters of Kahalu'u Beach Park, sharing the bay with resident Honu (sea turtles) and immersing herself in the rich cultural connections between people, coral and the ocean.

In Hawaiian tradition, coral is more than a marine organism, it is regarded as an ancient ancestor, the foundation from which all life emerged. This deep respect for coral and the interconnectedness of all living things reflects the very values at the heart of reef stewardship.

While enjoying the bay, Tracey also witnessed the challenges facing coral reefs, including visitors unknowingly standing on fragile coral despite educational signage and volunteer guidance. Inspired by her Reef Check Australia Ambassador training, she took every opportunity to share information about reef-friendly behaviour, helping visitors better understand how their actions can protect these precious ecosystems.

💙 Whether in Australia or Hawai'i, every conversation matters. Through education, awareness and community action, we can all play a role in safeguarding our reefs for future generations.

Thank you, Tracey, for being an incredible ambassador for our oceans and for spreading the message of reef stewardship wherever your journey takes you. 🌏

Get involved check out the website, and sign up for our enews letter to stay up to date!
🌐 www.reefcheckaustralia.org

08/10/2026

🌊☀️ Some days the ocean puts on a show.

With clear blue skies overhead, barely a hint of current, and an impressive 10 metres of visibility, conditions at the Gold Coast Seaway's South Wall couldn't have been much better for an underwater clean-up.

As our team slipped beneath the surface, we were greeted by a thriving underwater world. Fish of all shapes and sizes darted between the rocks, interacting in every direction. One of the most encouraging sights was the amount of seagrass visible throughout the area, far more than we've seen on previous snorkels at this site. Swaying gently with the water movement, it provided a reminder of just how important these habitats are for supporting marine life.

But hidden amongst this underwater oasis were reminders of our own presence.

The team removed a significant amount of fishing line, hooks and sinkers from the Seaway. While each individual piece may seem small, discarded fishing gear can continue to pose risks to marine life long after it has been lost.

Among the more unusual finds was a fishing rod resting on the bottom, along with a cap that had likely been blown into the water some time ago. Although it may have started its journey on land, the marine growth covering it told a different story, it had clearly been part of the underwater landscape for quite a while.

It's always satisfying to leave a site cleaner than you found it, but days like this offer something more. They provide an opportunity to slow down, observe and appreciate the incredible ecosystems that exist just below the surface, often unnoticed by those passing overhead.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the clean-up. Every piece of fishing line removed, every hook recovered and every item taken from the water helps make a difference for the marine life that calls the Seaway home. 💙🐟

The ‘Shore to Seafloor: Tackling Marine Debris Across the Marine Environment’ project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.
Get involved check out the website, and sign up for our enews letter to stay up to date!
🌐 www.reefcheckaustralia.org

03/10/2026

𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 - 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 🌊🐙
Marine debris doesn’t stop causing harm just because someone has stopped using it.

In early August, Reef Check Australia visited four locations within Moreton Bay, documenting and removing marine debris from the seafloor. Across the four sites, our team removed approximately 16.8 kg of debris. That number might not sound huge, but weight only tells part of the story.

Among the debris were two old, discarded crab pots and a discarded fishing net, along with significant lengths of rope, fishing line and other fishing-related debris. We also removed nine glass bottles, including old b**r and wh**ky bottles found across the sites.

Discarded fishing gear can continue to trap and kill marine life long after it has been lost or abandoned, a process known as ghost fishing. We’ve seen firsthand the consequences that discarded crab pots can have for marine life in Moreton Bay, including turtles.

Where we can identify fishing gear as old and discarded, and it is safe and appropriate to do so, removing these larger items can make an immediate difference. On this trip, two old crab pots and a discarded fishing net were successfully removed from the bay.

We were also treated to some beautiful winter conditions. The water might have been chilly, but calm weather and clearer winter water gave us a great opportunity to see what was happening below the surface and continue documenting the types of debris accumulating throughout the bay.

Repeated visits like these also help us build a better picture of what is ending up underwater and how the way we use the bay is reflected beneath the surface.

There are some incredibly simple things we can all do to help:
❇️ Secure rubbish and loose items before heading out on the water
❇️ Dispose of fishing line and fishing gear properly
❇️ Choose reusable items, including water bottles, wherever you can
❇️ Reduce single-use plastics where possible
❇️ If you see rubbish and it’s safe to remove it, take it with you

The things we lose or leave behind don’t simply disappear when they sink beneath the surface.
Thank you to our incredible Reef Check Australia volunteers for helping us look after Moreton Bay, one site at a time.

Reef Check Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and sea Country where we work and pays respect to Elders past and present.

The ‘Shore to Seafloor: Tackling Marine Debris Across the Marine Environment’ project’ is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.
Every piece removed is one less piece left to cause harm.

💙 Keen to join us on the next one?
🌐 www.reefcheckaustralia.org

02/10/2026

𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵: 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 🏝️🌊
Our recent survey at Green Island North was a chilly one, with strong water movement racing across the site. The current, combined with heavy use by fishers, makes this an interesting and challenging location to monitor.

There were plenty of coral bommies and more living coral hanging on than we saw at this site last year. We recorded a little bleaching, several Drupella snails and a few nudibranchs, along with two fish sightings, which was encouraging after seeing no fish here on our previous survey.

We also found another crab pot, a section of net and several glass bottles. These impacts matter, particularly in a shallow site where fishing activity and fast-moving water can affect both the reef structure and the animals living around it.

Green Island North is a good reminder that every site tells a different story. Some are dominated by seagrass, some are holding on to coral, and some are changing quickly under pressure from current, weather and human use.

That is why we keep returning. Long-term monitoring helps us see those changes as they happen.

Reef Check Australia acknowledges the Quandamooka people of Quandamooka Country, Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country where these activities take place. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

This project is supported by the Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd as part of their environmental monitoring program.

Want to get involved? Stay connected — sign up for our e-newsletter or follow us here for updates, surveys, and opportunities to protect our local reefs.

01/10/2026

𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 🥰🪸🐚
We recently revisited the eastern side of Green Island as a bonus survey, and it was an interesting site to return to.

We haven’t monitored this location for some time, and it has changed substantially. The site is now dominated by seagrass, with only remnants of coral remaining. There were a few different types of algae present, along with scattered pieces of old coral, but the living coral community we had previously recorded appears to have largely disappeared from this area.

It can be difficult to see a site like this. At the same time, revisiting it is exactly why long-term monitoring matters.

The only reason we can describe how Green Island East has changed is because Reef Check Australia has surveyed it before. Those earlier records give us something to compare with, helping us understand what has shifted over time.

Every survey adds another piece to the picture, even when there isn’t much to see.

Reef Check Australia acknowledges the Quandamooka people of Quandamooka Country, Traditional Custodians of the land and sea country where these activities take place. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Want to get involved? Stay connected — sign up for our e-newsletter or follow us here for updates, surveys, and opportunities to protect our local reefs. ~ 𝙒𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙗𝙮 𝙋𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙤 𝙁𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙯𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖, 𝙍𝘾𝘼 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

Help us make a positive impact. 💙
www.reefcheckaustralia.org

Address

1/377 Montague Road, West End
Brisbane, QLD
4101

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.reefcheckaustralia.org/

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