We all have a role to play in addressing the greatest threat to our Reef: #climatechange. This Zero Emissions Day, we’re celebrating our partners Whitsunday Climate Change Innovation Hub, Tourism Whitsundays and EarthCheck who are working with local tourism operators to create the first certified sustainable destination on the #greatbarrierreef. 📷 Tourism and Events Queensland #zeroemissions #zeday #sustainabletourism #ReefIslands #Lendlease #ReefTrust @awegov @gbrmarinepark @reefcatchments

Coming at you from where you'd rather be! A beautiful shot from the coast of Lizard Island in the north of the Reef. Lizard Island is named for the yellow spotted monitor lizards that roam its shores. 📷: @garycranitchphotography #thisisqueensland #barrierreef #greatbarrierreef #conservation #marinebiology #reef #coralreef #coral #coralreef #oceanic #explore #dive #uw #greatbarrierreef #oceanscience #underwater #underwaterphotography #oceanside #coastal #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #animals #animalsofinstagram #travelphoto #explore

In an historic move, eight tribes on #NewCaledonia's Isle of Pines have agreed plans to sustainably manage endangered green turtles, many of which begin life on the #GreatBarrierReef. For New Caledonia’s First Nations peoples, green turtles are an important part of their culture and traditions. But this #endangered species is facing a range of threats, including over-fishing. Through our #ResilientReefs Initiative, we’re partnering with New Caledonia to address local reef threats such as this. 📷 Matthias Balagny @unesco @nature_org @aecom @gbrmarinepark @columbia_resilience #endangeredspecies

The weekend is just a hop skip and a jump away! And this mangrove-loving mudskipper in Bangladesh is ready for anything – specially adapted pectoral fins help mudskippers to swim, walk and even climb trees! 📷: Santanu Majumdar / Ocean Image Bank #barrierreef #greatbarrierreef #conservation #marinebiology #reef #coralreef #coral #coralreef #oceanic #explore #dive #uw #greatbarrierreef #oceanscience #underwater #underwaterphotography #oceanside #coastal #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #animals #animalsofinstagram #travelphoto #explore #instagood #picoftheday #photooftheday

Meet Taurus, the oldest known manta ray being monitored not just on the Great Barrier Reef, but worldwide! Taurus was first seen off #ladyelliotisland in 1982 and was already a mature male at the time. He has been spotted 56 times since then at LEI and visited the area again just last month. Researchers think this gentle giant is at least 50 years old, but he could be much older. Overfishing is the most direct threat to manta rays around the world, but rising temperatures and #climatechange are also threatening their food supply. Action to address both these threats is critical to the survival of this incredible species. 📷 Kathy Townsend #worldmantaday #nationalbiodiversitymonth #biodiversity #ReefIslands #Lendlease #ReefTrust @awegov @gbrmarinepark @reefcatchments @qldtrustfornature @ladyelliotislandecoresort @leaf_to_reef @projectmanta

Never underestimate the power of Porifera! Sponges (aka the Porifera) may be simple animals, but they are SUPER-charged. Some sponges can pump up to 50,000 times their own volume of water in a day – that’s the equivalent of a human drinking over 3000L of water. 📷: @garycranitchphotography #thisisqueensland #barrierreef #greatbarrierreef #conservation #marinebiology #reef #coralreef #coral #coralreef #oceanic #explore #dive #uw #greatbarrierreef #oceanscience #underwater #underwaterphotography #oceanside #coastal #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #animals #animalsofinstagram #travelphoto #explore #instagood #picoftheday #photooftheday

Say it all together now – all reef and ocean animals are awesome! Here are a few of our favourite collective critters: A smack of jellyfish, a shiver of sharks, a school of fish and a squadron of manta rays! Which is your favourite? 🐟🐠🐡🐙 📷: @johnny_gaskell Ron Watkins / Ocean Image Bank @garycranitchphotography Simon Hilbourne / Ocean Image Bank

Did you know 99 bird species have been identified on #LadyElliotIsland? This includes crested terns, which lay their eggs in the open each summer, mostly on short grass near the weather station. Here they set up a crèche system where adults take turns guarding the chicks while the others head out to forage. Revegetation work on the island and careful preparation of their nesting area as part of our #ReefIslands Initiative has contributed to the largest nesting population last summer in 30 years. 📷 Ben Southall #nationalbiodiversitymonth #biodiversity @lendlease @awegov #ReefTrust @gbrmarinepark @ladyelliotislandecoresort

Feeling snoozy? Napping is easy breezy for our dolphin friends – they can swim and sleep at the same time! #barrierreef #greatbarrierreef #conservation #marinebiology #reef #coralreef #coral #coralreef #oceanic #explore #dive #uw #greatbarrierreef #oceanscience #underwater #underwaterphotography #oceanside #coastal #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #animals #animalsofinstagram #travelphoto #explore #instagood #picoftheday #photooftheday

#Repost @johnny_gaskell ・・・ A cluster of coral colonies at Kennedy Reef, north of the Whitsundays. Incredible diversity and coral health at one of the very rare coral reefs where you wouldn’t change a thing @queensland @masterreefguides @gbrmarinepark #greatbarrierreef

What is a turtle shell made of, anyway? Would you believe an inside-out skeleton? A turtle’s carapace is made up of its ribs, spine and scapula that have moved outwards and fused together. Seriously cool skeleton-plated armour. 📷: @garycranitchphotography #turtles #barrierreef #greatbarrierreef #conservation #marinebiology #reef #coralreef #coral #coralreef #oceanic #explore #dive #uw #greatbarrierreef #oceanscience #underwater #underwaterphotography #oceanside #coastal #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #animals #animalsofinstagram #travelphoto #explore #instagood #picoftheday #photooftheday

Reef Scenes by our very own science communicator Jane Adcroft. Got some Reef-related art to share? DM us! #illustrator #sketches #pensketch #creative #cartoon #nature #drawingoftheday #marinememes #wildlifephotography #seacreatures #diver #animals #uwpics #oceanconservation #marinemammals #scubalife #savetheocean #marineanimals #underthesea #oceanlover #oceanphotography