Reef in Focus

How big is the Great Barrier Reef, where does it start, and how can you experience it?In this episode of Reef in Focus, host Lincoln Bertoli joins Reef Authority Chief Scientist Dr Roger Beeden aboard the Reef Resilience in Central Queensland to explore the incredible scale and diversity of the Great Barrier Reef.From its 2,300-kilometre length to its thousands of individual reefs, seagrass meadows, islands and interconnected habitats, Roger explains why the Great Barrier Reef is much more than the spectacular coral reefs many visitors see.They explore how individual reefs are connected, why the Marine Park is managed as a multiple-use marine park, and how visitors, tourism operators, researchers and other reef users all contribute to looking after this vast marine ecosystem.Roger also shares advice on experiencing the Reef, including the role of High Standard Tourism Operators and Master Reef Guides, seasonal wildlife experiences, and some simple ways visitors can help protect the Reef while enjoying it.The episode finishes with five rapid-fire questions, including whether the Great Barrier Reef can be seen from space, what Roger would do with one day on the Reef, and the biggest myth about the Great Barrier Reef.

40 years, thousands of surveys and one extraordinary dataset. In this special episode of Reef in Focus, Lincoln Bertoli is joined by Mike Emslie from the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Reef Authority's Chief Scientist, Roger Beeden, to celebrate 40 years of the Long-Term Monitoring Program. Together, they explore how one of the world's most comprehensive coral reef monitoring programs has transformed our understanding of the Great Barrier Reef, from tracking Crown-of-Thorns Starfish outbreaks to measuring coral recovery and resilience. They also reveal how decades of consistent scientific data help the Reef Authority make smarter, evidence-based management decisions that protect the Reef today and into the future.

Coral bleaching, tropical cyclones and flooding are placing increasing pressure on the Great Barrier Reef. But what do these impacts actually mean for the Reef, and how is it responding?In this episode of Reef in Focus, host Lincoln Bertoli is joined by Reef Authority Chief Scientist Dr Roger Beeden aboard the Reef Sentinel to answer common questions about coral bleaching, severe weather and Reef resilience. Together, they explore what causes coral bleaching, why it doesn't always mean coral death, and how corals can recover when conditions improve.They also discuss how tropical cyclones, flooding and marine heatwaves can combine to affect the Reef, why some reefs are more resilient than others, and how long-term monitoring helps scientists understand recovery and guide management decisions. Dr Beeden explains the role of resilience-based management, crown-of-thorns starfish control, water quality improvements and marine park zoning in supporting the Reef's recovery in a changing climate. Whether you're interested in marine science, conservation or the future of the Great Barrier Reef, this episode provides an accessible explanation of the challenges facing coral reefs and the actions being taken to help protect this World Heritage Area for future generations.

Why can't you fish in a green zone? It's one of the most common questions the Reef Authority receives, and in this episode of Reef in Focus, we unpack the science behind the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park's zoning plan.Host Lincoln Bertoli is joined by Reef Authority Chief Scientist Dr Roger Beeden aboard the Reef Sentinel to explore why green zones are critical for protecting fish populations, supporting coral health and ensuring the Great Barrier Reef remains productive for future generations.Discover how green zones create a spillover effect that benefits recreational and commercial fishers, why they improve the Reef's resilience to threats like climate change and Crown-of-thorns Starfish, and why the zoning plan has remained one of the world's leading examples of evidence-based marine park management for more than 20 years.Whether you're a recreational fisher, boater or simply passionate about the Reef, this episode explains how following the zoning rules helps protect one of the world's greatest natural wonders.For more information about Reef zoning and to download free maps or the Eye on the Reef app, visit: https://www.gbrmpa.gov.au

In this this episode of Reef in Focus, we’re stepping back in time to the earliest days of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for an episode that’s been 50 years in the making! Special guest Rod Williams, the Reef Authority’s very first employee, served as Executive Officer from 1976 through to 1981. He sat down with host Lincoln Bertoli to reflect on the highlights and challenges of protecting the world’s largest coral reef during a pivotal moment in Australia’s environmental history… initially with no staff, no office, and no boats!