Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett is urging residents to don the mask and snorkel this month and become under water citizen scientists.
October is REEFBLITZ month, the idea being to collect as much Citizen Science data on the reef as possible.
“This month is about bringing together multiple programs to help Queensland communities collect a snap shot of information relevant to reef health,” Mr Bennett said.
“We are extremely lucky here in Bundaberg, the gateway to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef.
“We can all help to protect, and keep an eye on our reef, by getting involved with a number of upcoming ReefBlitz projects.
“The initiative saw a rare flamboyant cuttlefish uploaded to the Eye on the Reef database in 2016 so who knows what we could uncover on our doorstep this year.”
This Saturday Lady Musgrave Experience is hosting a REEFBLITZ event out on the Southern Great Barrier Reef while on Sunday everyone is invited to discover the local corals and collect CoralWatch data with a shore dive or snorkel at Barolin Rocks.
CoralWatch Ambassador Natalie Lobartolo said it’s vitally important everyone does their part because together, we can make a huge difference.
“People sometimes tell me, but you’re just one person, how could one person’s actions make a difference?” Ms Lobartolo said.
“Well, there are more than 24 million people in Australia, and more than 7 billion people on this planet, and if each one of those people change something, that’s 7 billion people worth of change.
“Now that would make a difference. People just have to believe it’s possible, and then act.”
Ms Lobartolo said everyone can get involved.
“I had a 6 year old participate in CoralWatch on the boat recently, and she did such an awesome job,” she said.
“I was so proud of her as a little enviro-bassador and it really goes to show that anyone can do it.”
24.10.18