PODCAST

Word on the Reef

Tanya Murphy

Diving into marine science adventures on the Great Barrier Reef and beyond!

science nature

All Episodes

43:08

S2 E14: Tree-mendous Impacts: How Forests Help Save...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/06/06

Did you know that deforestation up to 1,000 kilometres inland can harm coral reefs and potentially fuel outbreaks of coral-eating starfish? This week we explore one of the lesser-known but critical threats to the Great Barrier Reef: declining water quality due to land clearing. Our guest this week is Sarah Sims, a conservation and land management expert, dive instructor, and underwater photographer based in Cairns. Sarah's love of the Reef has inspired her to trace water pollution back to its...

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43:19

S2 E13: Undercover Investigation: The Supermarket...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/05/30

Did you know Aussies are among the worst plastic polluters on the planet - second only to Singapore for our use of single-use plastic packaging? Every year, 145,000 tonnes of plastic waste leak into our environment, and most of it comes from our supermarkets. Many of these plastics are not recyclable, and even when binned “correctly," they escape - blown by wind, swept by rain - ending up in rivers, oceans, and inside marine life. From turtles mistaking bags for jellyfish to seabirds literall...

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57:21

S2 E12: Australia's Great Southern Reef: Kelp,...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/05/23

The Great Southern Reef is an 8,000-kilometre stretch of temperate rocky reefs and kelp forests that hugs the southern coastline of Australia from Sydney to Perth. It’s home to incredible marine life like leafy sea dragons, giant cuttlefish, octopuses, and playful seals. It’s a $11.56 billion cornerstone of local economies and part of our way of life for millions of Aussies. But it’s also under serious threat. Join us as we chat with Stefan Andrews, marine biologist, filmmaker, educator, and ...

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61:53

S2 E11: How to Protect the Great Barrier Reef:...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/05/17

Climate Change is the biggest threat to coral reefs worldwide, causing unprecedented coral bleaching events. But here's the good news: individuals can take powerful, practical climate action to help save the Great Barrier Reef — and some of the soltuions might surprise you! Joining us this week is marine scientist and climate campaigner Dr Yolanda Waters, founder and CEO of Divers for Climate, to share real, tangible ways to take action — no matter who you are or where you live. In this episo...

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41:39

S2 E10: Trash Talk: Inside the Marine Debris Crisis...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/05/09

This week we head to the remote beaches of the Great Barrier Reef—where plastic pollution is piling up faster than we can clean it. But is picking up rubbish really the solution? Or just the beginning? Join us as we play trash detective with marine debris expert Heidi Tait, founder of Tangaroa Blue and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative. From her early days as a dive instructor to shaping global plastic policies, Heidi shares her extraordinary story—and the innovative ways she’s turning ...

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41:41

S2 E9: Catching Air, Calling for Action: A Tour...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/05/02

Brett Wright has spent the past 30 years taking visitors to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas with his tour company Windswell Adventures—and he's seen the changes up close. From worsening coral bleaching to the devastation of extreme weather events, climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a reality affecting his livelihood and the Reef he loves. Brett shares a heartfelt call for stronger climate leadership, while reminding us that the Reef is still alive, breathtaking, and wo...

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39:57

S2 E8: Who Will Protect the Great Barrier Reef in the...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/04/25

In this special Election Edition of Word on the Reef, Tanya Murphy and Brett Goodban dive into one of the most critical questions facing Australians ahead of the Federal Election: Who has the best plan to save the Great Barrier Reef? To find out, we’re joined by Maria Poulos Conklin, Head of Government Relations at the Australian Conservation Foundation, who breaks down ACF's powerful Election Scorecard, comparing how each major party stacks up on climate and environmental policies... and let...

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46:57

S2 E7: Breaking: Fishy Politics and the Sixth Mass...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/04/18

The federal election is just two weeks away — and it turns out some politicians are still floundering when it comes to climate change. While the Reef suffers, some parties are busy serving up red herrings instead of real solutions. This week Tanya and Brett dive into the national emergency that should be making front-page news: the GBR's sixth mass coral bleaching in nine years. That’s right — the Reef’s in hot water, and some leaders are still dodging the science like slippery eels. W...

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44:37

S2 E6: Lost civilisations, pesky sea lions and diving...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/04/11

This week, our guest is West Australian coral ecologist Associate Professor Zoe Richards, who's had some extraordinary adventures—diving with crocodiles, discovering new coral species and surveying nuclear bomb sites! We'll journey to Micronesia to uncover an ancient civilisation that built mysterious structures from coral, and to Ningaloo, the world’s largest fringing reef, now sadly in the grips of a mass bleaching event. From emus on the beach to seals frolicking with corals, this is both...

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37:49

S2 E5: Six Bleaching Events in Six Years: What...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/04/04

This week we're heading back to spectacular Lizard Island to uncover what’s changed since last year’s record-breaking coral bleaching event. New research station co-director Dr David Abrego takes us a vivid tour of this world-renowned reef science hub and shares the sobering reality of back-to-back bleaching events that are pushing corals to the brink. From flying over glittering turquoise waters to diving deep into marine heatwaves, coral adaptation, and reef restoration, this ep...

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42:56

S2 E4: Diving for Climate: Can Visiting the Reef...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/03/28

This week, we dive deep into the heart of the Great Barrier Reef’s current coral bleaching crisis with marine social scientist and CEO of Divers for Climate, Dr. Yolanda Waters. 🔬 What’s causing this widespread bleaching event? 🌍 How does reef tourism play a crucial role in protecting our oceans? 🤿 What can divers, snorkelers, and everyday citizens do to take action? Join us as we explore Yolanda’s groundbreaking research on how climate conversations in tourism can inspire real ch...

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44:17

S2 E3: How to collect snot from the largest animal on...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/03/21

This week, conservationist, photographer and filmmaker Christian Miller takes us on an unforgettable journey — from swimming alongside the planet’s largest animal, to eavesdropping on a humpback whale krill hunt. Along the way, we’ll dodge jaguars and flesh-eating ants in the Amazon, and learn why you can’t hide anything from a whale (spoiler: they can literally see through you). Strap in — it’s a wild ride. It's our third week broadcasting the show live on CairnsFM 89.1 and it's a cracker!...

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42:49

S02 E02: Why you should never lend your camera to an...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/03/14

This week, marine biologist and underwater photographer Lawrence Scheele takes us beneath the surface at Magnetic Island for a wild and wonderful tour of its marine life. Discover how jellyfish can detect and dodge humans (despite having no brains), why attempting sign language with a cuttlefish is a big mistake, and how to spot the telltale signs that an octopus might be living in your neighbourhood (spoiler: they are messy!) It's our second week broadcasting the show live on CairnsFM 89.1 a...

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41:13

S02 E01: Cheeky mantis shrimps and a seastar called...

Word on the Reef ·

2025/03/07

Word on the Reef is hitting the airwaves! We’re now LIVE on CairnsFM 89.1 every Friday at 10 AM (QLD time)! Tune in on your radio or stream online at cairnsfm891.org.au for your weekly deep dive into the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and beyond. This week, I’m joined by fellow aquanaut Brett Goodban as we uncover the secrets of getting along with your local marine life—including how to avoid getting the side-eye from a grouper (yes, they judge you) and how to turn setbacks into opportunit...

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27:22

15. Top 8 Animals to See At the Great Barrier Reef:...

Word on the Reef ·

2024/09/14

Today we're continuing our countdown of the Top 8 Fantastic Beasts of the Great Barrier Reef and Where to Find Them, with Master Reef Guide Tahn Miller. You won't believe some of the encounters he's had with today's animals!Follow Tahn on InstagramYOU CAN HELP Sign the Petition, asking the Australian Government for stronger policies to protect the Great Barrier Reef. Support Word on the Reef on Patreon Follow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on Instagram If you'd like to ask a question, be a guest on ...

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32:56

14. Is the Great Barrier Reef in Danger?

Word on the Reef ·

2024/08/12

Send us a Text Message.The Great Barrier Reef has just experienced its worst summer on record, with cyclones, severe rainfall, flooding, and its most extreme coral bleaching event ever. The World Heritage Committee has expressed concerns that the Australian Government isn't doing enough to protect the Reef, particularly regarding its climate policies, and advised the Reef may face a possible 'In Danger' listing. To explain what that means and what we need to do about it, our guest this week i...

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32:32

13. Top 8 Animals to See at the Great Barrier Reef...

Word on the Reef ·

2024/07/25

Tahn Miller is a Master Reef Guide who has spent 14 years observing and teaching people about magical creatures on the Great Barrier Reef. Join us as we swap crazy stories about close encounters with these incredible animals, while counting down the Top 8 Fantastic Beasts of the Great Barrier Reef and Where to Find Them! (JK Rowling reference, for the Muggles out there).Follow @TahnMiller on InstagramFollow Tahn on YouTubeYOU CAN HELP Sign the Petition, asking the Australian Government for ...

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47:05

12. Whale Season on the Great Barrier Reef with Dr...

Word on the Reef ·

2024/06/24

Winter is an incredible time to see, hear, and even swim with whales on the Great Barrier Reef! But they also get up to some pretty weird things, and today we'll learn all about the secrets of whales from someone who has dedicated his life to studying them.Sign the petition to stop whale entanglements in shark nets Learn more about "Humpbacks and High Rises"Follow "Word on the Reef" on InstagramHelp whales with the Australian Marine Conservation Society's whale protection campaign.

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30:10

11. Breaking: Global Coral Bleaching Event with Dr...

Word on the Reef ·

2024/06/09

It's official - we are in the midst of the world’s worst coral bleaching event on record, affecting two thirds of corals globally, spanning some 64 countries and territories. We've already explored some of the impacts on the Great Barrier Reef - this week we'll head overseas to find out about the impacts in other countries.To see the map discussed in this episode: https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-confirms-4th-global-coral-bleaching-event

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35:38

10. The Fight to Stop Oil Drilling on the Great...

Word on the Reef ·

2024/05/24

In 1967, it was discovered that the Queensland government had secretly leased out more than 200,000sqkm of the Great Barrier Reef for oil drilling. A small group of unlikely heroes banded together to save the Reef. Their courageous story of hope against seemingly insurmountable odds holds a lesson for us all.

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