Caring for Our Coral Reefs

I enjoy snorkelling at Kingston, and I love sharing my underwater photos of the beautiful fish. The lagoon at Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay has great visibility and depths range from approximately one to six metres. The stunning fish live in an amazing coral reef habitat.

Coral reefs are extremely important ecosystems. I have been attempting to photograph the variety of coral and plants around the bays and even though I have not identified the species. Corals are colonies and are very small animals and they can take hundreds of years to form the structures we see today. I love their shapes and colours and feel concerned when I see them damaged from storms or feel troubled when I see people standing on the coral.

Take Pictures Not Coral - Look but Not Touch!

I have been reading that simply touching corals to see what they feel like can cause the death of an entire colony. Oils from your skin can disturb the delicate mucous membranes which protect the animals from disease. If feeding coral is startled, it retracts for protection and in doing so is unable to feed. It is important not to walk upon or stand on coral, because this can kill the living coral polyps that are reef snorkel the builders of the reef structure. You can also be injured if you get coral cuts. These can also be painful and difficult to heal if not treated correctly.

Eco-Friendly Practices When Snorkelling

If you have difficulties swimming in the lagoon, always swim with an experienced snorkeler and maybe use a suitable flotation device (placed under chest). Practice snorkelling as much as you can before you enter the deep water, that way you will avoid accidentally touching the coral. Remember to never stand on coral to adjust your mask. Search for a sandy or coral free shallow place to stand. It is also important not to stir up sediment from the bottom, this can harm the coral and disrupt the ecology of the reef. Also, don't touch, pickup or hold reef life, remember we are only visitors in their home.

The coral reefs provide protection and shelter for many species of fish, I often call the coral reef a nursery, especially at the Slaughter Bay end of the lagoon. The fish live amongst the coral reef ecosystems, which gives them food, shelter and provide habitats for many marine animals. Fish have plenty of food on the living reef and don’t need people to feed them. Feeding the fish can disrupt their natural feeding habits and you may also get injured if the fish bites. If you want to see the fish more closely, learn how to blend in with the environment, so that the fish aren’t startled by your presence.

Respect the Marine Environment

There are many reefs around Norfolk Island, and it is important to practice responsible boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, and other recreational water activities. Avoid anchoring a boat to a coral reef as it can permanently harm the coral. When snorkelling, anchor in sandy moorings or rocky locations. Sadly, in

December 2024, I saw a small homemade boat rope attached to the large coral bomb in Emily Bay, and I was relieved when those on-board detached the boat and moved away.

Barriers against Erosion and Waves

The reef also protects the coast from strong ocean currents and waves. The surfers enjoy the waves on the outer edge of the reef and the HMS Sirius was wrecked on the reef in 1790, so the fury of the sea can be very strong on the outer edge of the Kingston Coral Reef.

Coral reefs are extremely important for the health and biodiversity of the earth's oceans. The beautiful white sand on our Norfolk Island beaches is formed by the coral. Imagine the coral sand we enjoy now was also enjoyed by the early settlers as they walked the shoreline at Kingston.

Enjoy snorkelling the Norfolk Island warm waters. The fish and coral life are befitting the island’s sub-tropical location in the South Pacific. Educate yourself as much as you can about coral reefs to have a solid understanding of the environment before entering it. Enjoy an outing on the “Glass Bottom Boats” at Emily Bay or book a snorkel or dive instructor guide at the Norfolk Island Information Centre. It is always helpful to talk to locals for advice when and where to snorkel.

I shall continue to take underwater pictures and share them. It is a fantastic way to record and document the coral reef and fish. By taking and sharing pictures you can also help to document the health and biodiversity in the coral reefs and raise awareness for coral reef protection. This can help people understand the reef’s beauty as there are many people will never be able to snorkel and enjoy our underwater world.

This time of year, is also the coral spawning season. The Great Barrier Reef spawned last week, so it will not be long, and the Norfolk Island coral will spawn as well. Look for the pink colour in the water or the fishy smell.

See you down at the beach and let me know if you see anything interesting in the water.

Betty Matthews

27 December 2024