ReefBlitz 2014, held at Cannonvale Beach in the Whitsundays, has come to a successful conclusion with the wrap-up of the two day event on Saturday night, with around 450 people attending, including more than 200 local school children. In total, 179 species of animals and plants were identified from 629 observations recorded by ReefBlitz’ers.

Amongst the more interesting species spotted was a pair of Golden Plovers. The Golden Plover is a migratory bird, which stops over in Cannonvale Beach on their migration from Siberia where they nest each year. In addition the team spotted spotted a Beach stone-curlew which has been listed as a vulnerable species. 

The event was officially launched by the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, Hon. Andrew Powell. The Assistant Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Seath Holswich MP, along with Jason Costigan, the Local Member for Whitsundays and Councillor Jan Clifford were also in attendance.

A big thank you to all the volunteers that helped make ReefBlitz such a success and also to our ReefBlitz partners – Queensland Government, Earthwatch Institute, Qantas, Bendigo Bank, Tourism & Events Queensland, Eco Bananas and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.  

We are particularly grateful to all the survey leaders and local community organisations that assisted with surveys, including Queensland Museum, Reef Check, Whitsunday Catchment Landcare, Reef Catchments, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Australian Coral Reef Society.