The Reef is Your Own! Come and See What You're Missing!
Virgin Blue has on offering some great flights from New Zealand. So if you want to escape the cold and enjoy the tropics or visit a friend or a relative take advantage of these great prices and enjpy the tropical experience in Cairns. Make sure you book your trip to the Great Barrier Reef also.
Auckland → Cairns From $269 NZD
Christchurch → Cairns From $269 NZD
Wellington → Cairns From $269 NZD
Hamilton → Cairns From $269 NZD
For more details please visit the Virgin Blue Website.
Adult Green Turtles are herbivorous. They almost-exclusively feed on various species of seagrasses and seaweed. While mature green turtles are entirely herbivorous, juveniles are known to eat a variety of marine invertebrates. Their diet of plant matter grows larger as they age, until as mature adults they become complete herbivores.
As large and well-protected animals, adult green turtles have few enemies and even fewer predators. Only human beings and the larger sharks are known to feed on the sea turtle. Tiger sharks are known predators of adult green turtles. Juvenile turtles and recently emerged hatchlings have significantly more predators, including sharks, crabs, small mammals and shorebirds.
No one ever talks about the poor old damsel fish. But they are very important in the reef ecosystem, eating algae allowing for reef regrowth. Damselfish are one of the most abundant groups of coral reef fishes. They display remarkable diversity in habitat preferences, feeding habits, behaviour and colouration. Most species are highly territorial. Algal-eating species zealously defend their ‘plot’ against intruders, regardless of size. These algal feeders. These algal feeders generally have drab colour patterns whereas the plankton-feeding damsels are brightly coloured. Damselfish eggs are laid on coral rock and are guarded by the male until they hatch in 2-14 days. All damselfish, except the anemonefish (genus Amphiprion and Premnas), change sex from male to female. The anemonefish goes through a reverse sex change from male to female.
Practices that you can do to help sustain the Great Barrier Reef for generations to come
• Practice at first over sand patches and away from the coral:
• Get comfortable with buoyancy control and finning techniques.
• Be mindful of where your fins are to avoid accidentally hitting the reef or stirring up sand.
• Snorkel carefully near the Reef:
• Move slowly and deliberately in the water, relax and take your time – to remain horizontal in the water, and refrain from standing up.
• Do not snorkel into areas where the water is less than one metre deep.
• Do not touch the walls of semi-confined areas (for example, small swim throughs and overhangs), never squeeze through a small area.
• Use rest stations or other flotation aids (for example, float lines, swimming noodles, and flotation vests) if you need to rest while snorkelling.
• Do not lean on, hold onto, or touch any part of the reef or moving animals when taking underwater photographs.
• Be mindful of all marine life:
• Avoid making sudden or loud noises underwater.
• Avoid chasing or attempting to ride or grab free-swimming animals (such as turtles, whales, and sea snakes). Avoid blocking their path or making them change direction.
• Do not touching or relocating any animals or plants.
• Stay more than one metre away from giant clams.
• Do not feed the fish.
• Do not collect any shells or ‘souvenirs’.