Vibrant Life in Northern sector of the Great Barrier Reef
by Tourism and Events Queensland on 20 Jan 2017
Jemma scuba diving the reefs surrounding Raine Island with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions. Jemma Craig, @Islandjems
If you're curious about the state of the Great Barrier Reef well North of Cairns in the Cape York sector, take a minute to dive into the world of Cairns local, Jemma Craig. The 24-year old host on board MV Spoilsport with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions took the chance to document her first scuba dive on the reefs surrounding Raine Island, an area reported last year as being severely affected by coral bleaching.
“I grew up on the Great Barrier Reef, I have worked and dived here for many years and have ventured to the far corners of the Coral Sea in a quest to see more, but nothing; nothing I have ever seen compares to my dive on the reef surrounding Raine Island in December last year,” says Jemma.
“The reef flat is simply covered in beautiful, colourful hard coral, turtles cruising and marine life from one end to the other. I didn't know where to look. It was hard for me to comprehend that it was possible for the reef to look that good. I would honestly take a gamble and say it's the most beautiful hard coral site on Planet Earth.'
Jemma said diving the reefs off Raine Island was the most life changing experience for her, surprising given she was raised on a coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns. “The Great Barrier Reef is my home. There is a life force that runs through here, and I feel connected to everything around me. I'd like to show people from around the world that the Great Barrier Reef is not dead.'
“Through my photography and cinematography, I hope to inspire others to come and witness for themselves the magic I have found here. If you have not seen the Great Barrier Reef, do it today and do it as often as possible. There is nothing else like it', said Craig (@islandjems).
N.B.
Raine Island is located 620km Nor'nor'west of Cairns. It is the largest Green turtle nesting ground on planet Earth. As many as 100,000 female green turtles migrate thousands of kilometres to lay their eggs here in a peak breeding season. But it's not only the turtles who migrate to this remote island. It's also home to the most important seabird rookery in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area.
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