The building of reefs is actually a bipartisan effort between the coral host and the algal tenant and this close working relationship explains why coral reefs are restricted to the warm, clear, sunlit waters of the shallow water tropics. We camped halfway between the two amid the sand dunes of Lefroy Bay. Stretching nearly 20 kilometres from the coast and covering 5,000 square kilometres of ocean, UNESCO World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef is the world’s largest fringing reef. During the months of November, December and January they begin nesting along the shores and islands of the Ningaloo Reef. The problem is that the coral polyps then cannot survive without their little blue-green mates, hence the presence of dead bleached corals. Step from the unspoiled coast and dive into some of the most incredible marine experiences on earth. Here, archaeologists have confirmed the oldest evidence of the collection and use of fish, shellfish and crabs by indigenous Australians – an astonishing 32,000 years. In fact, upon landing, flight attendants request no one take any photographs for security reasons. Males incubate the female’s egg masses in their mouth, every so often spitting them out to aerate them and then slurping them back in again. The Ningaloo Marine Park is one of the longest fringing reefs in the world stretching 300 kilometres, and is one of two coral reefs in the world that have formed on the western side of a continent. Depending on the time of your visit, you could witness the humpback whale migration or swim with whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and giant potato cod. Some damsel fish cultivate a patch of algae, which they guard zealously. The reef was amazing to snorkel - coral, fish, turtles. It’s the Leeuwin Current that’s the giver of life in these waters, maintaining a rich flow of warm water and a conveyor belt of nutrients along the WA coast. Queensland is the ultimate Choose Your Own Adventure destination. The coral provides a comfortable place for the zooxanthellae to live and the rent is so cheap – all they want is some food in return! The reef building colonial corals, however supply much of the photosynthese for these rich communities. For more information on how to volunteer the team over at The Ningaloo Turtle Program work in conjunction with the Cape Conservation Group, the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Murdoch University, and WWF Australia and are always in search of keen environmentalist enthusiasts to help with the protection of these animals. He sounds euphoric. Its abundance of extraordinary marine life is what brings us, and thousands of people to this special slice of paradise. Some of these are “edible” and the Chines regard them as an aphrodisiac. This includes Murdoch University manta ray researcher Frazer McGregor, who’s so passionate about the winged fish he also works as a tour-boat deckhand along the coast. (function() { In their tentacles they have little harpoon like structures called stinging cells or nematocysts. A black smudge, resembling a half-submerged car, comes into view. The Ningaloo Coast was awarded World Heritage status in June 2011, in recognition of the following Outstanding Universal Values (some, but not all of these values are listed here) (Department of Park and Wildlife, Western Australia, 2016): • Land and sea contrast – for the lush and colourful underwater world of the Ningaloo Reef in contrast with the rugged desert land. It’s the nation’s longest fringing coral reef and the namesake of the 5218 sq.km Ningaloo Marine Park. When you snap a photo on The Loop trail in Kalbarri National Park, you’re capturing 400 million years of natural history – where the tidal flats of an ancient sea has formed the striking red sandstone and the mighty Murchison River has carved out deep gorges on its way to the ocean. Corals have fascinating ways of getting their food. At one stage scientist were gravely concerned that the plagues were a result of some upset in the balance of the reefs (perhaps man made) and a great endeavour was made to control the starfish populations, by enlisting navy and volunteer divers to inject formalin into the starfish to kill them. Many seasonal visitors to the Ningaloo coast world Heritage area is a reef! Was that Ningaloo ’ s some of these are “ edible ” and the namesake of the,... In fact, upon landing, flight attendants request no one swam because the popular was..., and increasing at 10 per cent a year have yet to be under threat isn... 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