Nov 22, 2022 | Cleaning, People
It was August 2017 when I first flew from Cairns to Lizard Island Research Station. I had absolutely no idea what to expect. While I had written a book of poems previously on the ocean and fishing landscapes of Cervantes in Western Australia, I had no exposure to the... 
Nov 14, 2022 | Observation
Most species of hard corals on the Great Barrier Reef take part in a mass spawning event over a short period, once a year. It’s a remarkable sight and, every year, most people at LIRS are keen to go out and see it – even if their research has nothing to... 
Oct 10, 2022 | Biodiversity, Fellowships, Research
Finally, a long-delayed field trip takes place! Dr Chris Goatley (University of New England) and Dr Simon Brandl (University of Texas Austin) were jointly awarded The John and Laurine Proud Postdoctoral Fellowship for 2020. After two years’ delay forced by... 
Aug 25, 2022 | Bleaching, Reef condition
In this short video, shot from the Station, Anne Hoggett, LIRS Director shares her insights about bleaching over summer in the Lizard Island area and gives an update of activities at the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS). By Dr Anne Hoggett |... 
Jul 7, 2022 | Observation
On our last expedition to Jiigurru (Lizard Island), we were fortunate enough to witness a pair of Reef Octopus (Octopus cyanea) out actively hunting and copulating in the late afternoon at Watson’s Bay, with very little concern about our presence. The larger... 
Jun 19, 2022 | COTS, Grants, Research
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) are natural members of coral reef communities and their numbers erupt periodically into outbreaks. Adult starfish – which can reach more than 50 cm diameter – eat the living tissue of corals. When outbreaks occur, COTS consume...