Coral reefs under the microscope at national conference

Coral bleaching, the impact of warming waters on coral reefs, marine debris and the management of marine parks are just some of the topics to be discussed at the 85th Annual Australian Coral Reef Society Conference (ACRS) in Coffs Harbour this weekend.

Hosted by Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre, the conference will bring together more than 130 leading national and international coral reef researchers.

The conference will be opened tomorrow (September 10) evening by Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Lee and will continue on Saturday and Sunday at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort.

Local conference organiser Dr Anna Scott, from Southern Cross University’s School of Environmental Science and Management, said this was the major national conference for coral research.

“We are really pleased to be hosting the conference here in Coffs Harbour for the first time. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the excellent research facilities at the National Marine Science Centre and also the beautiful Solitary Islands Marine Park,” Dr Scott said.

“The annual ACRS conference brings together Australia’s coral reef community to exchange ideas and the latest research findings, and to encourage and reward postgraduate students in their endeavours.”

Speakers at the conference will include: Professor Peter Mumby, The University of Queensland; Dr Mark Meekan, Australian Institute of Marine Science, WA; Dr Alan Jordan, NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water; Dr Maoz Fine, Bar-Ilan University, Israel; and Professor Maria Byrne, University of Sydney.

The Australian Coral Reef Society is the oldest organisation in the world concerned with the study and protection of coral reefs. ACRS plays a key role by promoting scientific research on Australian coral reefs and provides a forum for discussion and information transfer among scientists, management agencies and reef-based industries that are committed to ecological sustainability.

Media opportunity: Dr Leslie Christidis, director of the National Marine Science Centre, ACRS president Professor John Pandolfi and Professor Peter Harrison, director of Southern Cross University’s Marine Ecology Research Centre, will be available for interview at 1pm, September 10, National Marine Science Centre, Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour. Photo: This image of coral spawning was taken by Professor Peter Harrison.