Media Releases
Public forum on future of reef
Oct 8, 2013: - Comedian, actor, singer and TV star Paul McDermott will host a public forum in Townsville this week (Thursday, October 10) on the current condition and future prospects of Australia’s coral reefs.
Best known as a member of the Doug Anthony All Stars and host of TV’s Good News Week, he will be joined by five leading reef researchers from James Cook University, ANU, University of Queensland and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.
They will present on:
Reef fishes – long lost relatives, new feeding habits and the future
Coral immune systems - weapons of mass destruction
Climate change is messing with coral skeletons
Coral reefs on the move – any place to hide?
Do green zones work?
The free public forum begins at 5.30 pm for a 6pm start at Rydges Southbank in Townsville.
The forum will be a highlight of this week’s Coral Reefs in the 21st Century symposium, hosted by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, which will feature talks by more than 30 eminent coral reef and fish scientists on the future of these vital marine ecosystems and the industries and communities which depend on them.
The gathering of leading marine scientists will also be held at Rydges Southbank in Townsville on October 10-11.
Key issues to be discussed at the Symposium include:
How marine protected areas help boost fisheries management
What governs coral health and how we can enhance it on the Great Barrier Reef?
Effects of ocean acidification on corals
Climate change in the oceans – the big picture
The surprising impact of man-made sound on coral fishes
Planning how to save the Coral Triangle
Role of consumers in protecting the world’s coral reefs.
Symposium Program details at: http://www.coralcoe.org.au/news-events/symposia/coral-reefs-in-the-21st-century-townsville
More information:
Jenny Lappin, CoECRS, +61 (0)7 4781 4222
Jim O’Brien, JCU, 4781 4822 or 0418 892449
Issued: October 8, 2013