Red Cat Adventures is proud to be one of 17 operators that secured funding opportunity as part of the Australian Governments $3.2 million Tourism Industry Activation and Reef Protection Initiative (TIARPI)
This funding allowed us to repurpose vessels and crew to undertake site stewardship projects as well as education of our passengers.
The Whitsunday Water Quality Monitoring Blueprint for Tourism Operators project aims to increase understanding of water quality and reef health in the Whitsundays.
We have been working with other Tourism operators in the Whitsundays to collect data in this citizen science project to keep track of the water quality in our area.
We are encouraging our guests, particularly children, to collect marine debris - targeting plastic - while on a tour with us. By doing this we will be educating the leaders of tomorrow on the importance of reducing our plastic usage, and how much of an impact micro-plastic have on our environment.
In addition, while in the field undertaking surveys, conservation work or training, our team collects, records and weighs any marine debris found.
Price valid 1.11.19 - 31.03.20
In normal numbers on healthy coral reefs, COTS are an important part of the ecosystem. They tend to eat the faster growing corals which gives the slower growing species a chance to catch up, enhancing the coral diversity of our reefs.
However, when the coral-eating starfish appear in outbreak proportions, the impact on coral reefs can be disastrous.
As part of the Tourism Industry Activation and Reef Protection Initiative, Red Cat Adventures has been awarded a permit to help eradicate any COTS that are found while doing the Reef Health Impact Surveys.
Cyclone Debbie caused massive destruction in the Whitsundays, but over the last 2 years, Red Cat Adventures have been working closely with Reef Ecologic on local reef restoration projects, particularly at Manta Ray Bay, Hook Island.
Our team are being trained to become site stewards for Manta Ray Bay and being taught how to maintain the nursery and in time propagate coral for planting.