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29/08/2007: "VANISHING CORALS ........of Lady Musgrave Lagoon"

A beautiful formation of very delicate coral that would have covered one hundred square meters of lagoon floor.

A single carelessly dropped small boat anchor could carve a noticeable path through this pristine formation.

The corals had probably survived due to the unusual location - in a direct line 100 meters inside the lagoon from the "pass" the channel or entrance that allows ocean water to freely spill into and from the lagoon.

Not a location for any boat to wish to anchor at. Also a place where strong nutrient-rich current was a daily occurance.

Is this formation alive today?

This picture was made in 1979 when Janine Thomson and I were camped on the island off Bundaberg, Queensland, for two weeks as guests of a Sydney-based dive company.

We recorded 16mm underwater footage of this formation.

It is yet to be used due to illustrate the size and uniquness of this formation. Something we almost took for granted at the time. My experiences elsewhere had never encountered anything like this.

Today it might be protected and promoted as an attraction in much the same manner as a very old, tall forest tree.

Does anyone really care? Things hidden under the surface are too easily ignored.