James Cook University lead hard coral research on Norfolk Island

Caption: Cyphastrea salae - one of many new species recently discovered on Lord Howe Island that is also likely to be found in Norfolk Marine Park

A team from James Cook University (JCU) will arrive on Norfolk Island next week to conduct coral research to improve knowledge about the diversity of coral species in the South Pacific.

Research conducted on Lord Howe Island recently found many species that are new to science and given the proximity of Lord Howe Island to Norfolk Island, they expect to find some of these species on Norfolk Island. The team also hopes to find species unique to Norfolk Island.

The team, led by Professor Andrew Baird, aim to collect representative specimens of each of the estimated 30 hard coral species on Norfolk Island.

A small fraction of each coral colony will be collected by the team while on snorkel or scuba diving. The planned research will have no negative impacts on the health of the corals. Species will be identified using molecular tools and by comparing the skeletons of the specimens to material housed in museums around the world.

This research will provide information about the abundance and distribution of coral species on Norfolk Island to assist in ongoing protection and management of the Norfolk Marine Park.