Education & Research

1928/29 Expedition

Due to Low Isles being the southernmost reef that contains both a coral cay and a mangrove island, and the fact that it was serviced by a lightship, Low Isles was selected as the site of the 1928/29 Great Barrier Reef Expedition. This was the most ambitious reef expedition of its day. C.M.Yonge and his research team discovered countless new species of marine organisms, and conducted experiments that were farsighted. They created base line data that can be used today as a reference with today’s data to measure mans impact on the Great Barrier Reef .

Low Isles is a case study in potential future marine resource management strategies. With exponential growth in tourism the GBR and its sensitive reef systems (such as Low Isles) are under threat of being ‘Loved to death’.

The 1928/29 Expedition incorporated a number of academic disciplines. More than twenty renowned natural scientists spent up to 13 month at Low Isles. These studies include detailed plankton and hydrographical investigations. Detailed surveys of phytoplankton, zooplankton, water chemistry and sedimentation around Low Isles and the mainland were carried out.

Detail surveys of Low Isles reef, Three Isles, and some areas of the Outer Barrier Reef were compiled. A comprehensive study of the physiology of corals feeding, digestion, excretion and respiration and the influence and significance of zooxanthellae were also undertaken. The expedition also produced geographical information about the Queensland coast from the Whitsunday islands to the Flinders Islands to the north. Meteorological information was recorded daily for the duration of the trip. Results from the expedition were published in the British Natural Museum in six large volumes.

Eye on the Reef Monitoring Program.

The program is a marine and environmental data collecting system. Its initial aim was to encourage the active involvement of community members, commercial tourism operators, guides and visitors in the collecting of information at regularly visited sites.

LIPS initiated the monitoring program in cooperation with local Port Douglas marine tour operators. The monitoring program received an overhaul in 1999 by Reefwatch Australia and Robin Aiello with funding from GBRMPA. Robin was nominated as the coordinator of the program, which involved 11 tour operators between Cairns and Port Douglas collecting data from 25 reef locations.

Exercising Coastcare: Interpretive Trail around Port Douglas

The gentle four kilometre walk around Port Douglas follows 15 interpretive signs which explain the natural, cultural and historical values of Port Douglas and the surrounding area. Walkers are introduced to several ecosystems including beach, mangroves and headland. LIPS received funding and with support from Coastcare, QPWS and Douglas Shire Council, initiated the interpretative trail. LIPS volunteers erected each of the signs and the local marine tour operators have sponsored the production of the brochure that illustrates the walk and received very positive feedback from locals and tourists.

Low Isles Heritage Walk

The Low Isles Heritage Walk was officially opened on 6th March 2000. It comprises seven interpretive signs that cover a range of topics including zoning information, the plant and wildlife of Low Isles, the history of Low Isles, life on the Lighthouse station, and the 1928 – 1929 expedition.

Historical Research

LIPS committee member Tina Alderson conducted historical research by collecting information from ex-lighthouse keepers and their families who lived at Low Isles. She recorded their experiences of life at Low Isles and how it had changed over the last century. This compliments more formal records, which are kept in the National Archives in Brisbane.

Various Research

UK volunteer Hannah Reid conducted a study on the damage of the effects of snorkellers on the reef flat a Low Isles at low tide. The final report suggested ways of alleviating snorkeller damage and forms part of her environmental science degree. The tour operators now implement these practises.

A third year student from James Cook University, Mary Gandini, completed a herbarium for Low Islands with the materials and support from JCU and QPWS.