Australia’s first Reef Star system has been installed on the Great Barrier Reef

Australia’s first Reef Star system on the Great Barrier Reef has been successfully installed, thanks to Mars Sustainable Solutions and Reef Magic Cruises in collaboration with James Cook University.

What is a Reef Star system? Installed 40kms offshore from Cairns, the individual Reef Stars provide a stable base for coral fragments to grow. They significantly support the long-term resilience of the reef’s marine ecosystem - excellent news for our myriad life under the waterline. 

“This partnership is a great example of using the latest science to underpin our approach to sustainable tourism, and we are particularly pleased to trial this system for the first time in Australia,” said Eric Fisher, biology manager at Reef Magic and GBR Biology.

The team plans to install 50 additional Reef Stars every six months to help future-proof the health and biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef.

Together, it’s our role to continue to care for the Reef and protect is for many generations to come. Here are 6 ways you can help to keep the Great Barrier Reef great.