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New interest in rare coral reef New interest in rare coral reef
Until recently, very few people knew about the beautiful coral reef at Pancake Creek.
However, as part of a reef mapping project conducted with the Burnett Mary region,
this area of completely unique and 100% hard coral has been confirmed as one of
the worlds few tidal creek coral reef systems.
The reef mapping project is funded by the Burnett Mary Regional Group and is
being conducted by Dr Sander Scheffers from the Centre for Environmental Management of Central Queensland University. Dr Scheffers is also
being supported by Dr Ashley Bunce, the remote sensing group at Southern Cross
University (NSW) and the 1770 Reef Explorers.
Dr Scheffers mapped inshore reefs from Gladstone to Burrum Heads and performed
underwater verifications of reef communities and their health. Previously, there
was almost no knowledge of the occurrence of reefs or their health south of the
Gladstone region.
The hard coral reef found at Pancake Creek is under threat from boats, as the
creek is only 4-5m in depth. Pancake Creek is north of Bustard Head, near the
Town of 1770.
In addition, a major reef system comprising of 70% soft coral was
discovered near Hummock Hill Island.
Jody Cavanaugh from 1770 Reef Explorers said that the research described coral
that had never been mapped before.
“It was amazing; I can’t even begin to explain how beautiful it was”.
Dr Scheffers is now consulting with the Environmental Protection Agency to develop
a management plan for high ecological value areas including
Pancake Creek and Hummock Hill.
For more information about the reef mapping project please contact Dr Scheffers
at s.scheffers@cqu.edu.au.
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© 2005-2010 Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management Inc |