Great Barrier Reef - Saunders Reef

Way up north and a long way east from the mainland is my final stop at the very remote and rarely visited Saunders Reef. Given its isolation, life beneath the water is brimming. The coral has a full spectrum of colour, showing it to be healthy and abundant.

As I travelled through this journey, I aimed to highlight some of the significant players found on the Barrier Reef. Given the many species living here, covering even a tiny percentage of it was impossible. Here are some statistics that give a little insight into the known species currently on the Reef:

● 3,000 species of mollusks (shells)

● 1,600 species of fish

● 600 types of hard and soft coral

● 140 species of sharks and rays

● 100 species of jellyfish

● 30 species of whales and dolphins

● 14 species of sea snakes

● 6 species of turtles

All these species need each other to survive, and we, in turn, need them. We rely on reefs to protect our shores, support local communities, and provide us with food. Certain species are used to develop medicine to treat illnesses such as arthritis, Alzheimer's, and heart disease. Substances like agar-agar, extracted from red algae, are turned into plant-based gelatin to thicken soups and make desserts. Alginate, a compound extracted from brown algae, is used to make dental impressions and cosmetics. We benefit significantly from the sea, but care must be taken as corals are at risk from human activities, pollution, damage, overfishing, and destructive fishing.

As living things - human, plant, and animal - we are all connected. In the words of the Woppaburra People, "All elements are here for a purpose; mankind, flora, fauna, we are all dependent upon each other.”

This was a wonderful underwater adventure and a valuable learning experience. I will say farewell to you now and see you the next time.



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The team at The Conqueror Challenges
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