Word on the Reef

Tanya Murphy
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Nature
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. 2d ago

    S3 E24: Magnetic Island Residents Fight Dredge Spoil Dumping

    Send us Fan Mail A group of Magnetic Island residents believes the annual dumping of maintenance dredge spoil by the Port of Townsville may be creating sediment plumes that smother some of the island's pristine bays, coral reefs, and marine life. And with the port now applying for a 10-year permit to continue the dumping at its current site, they're calling for community members to have their say.  In this episode of Word on the Reef, we're joined by one of those residents, Gethin Morgan, president of the Magnetic Island Nature Care Association (MINCA), to understand why residents are concerned and what they believe can be done about this issue. Thumbnail: A Satellite image from 13th July 2025 which MINCA believes shows dredge spoil drifting toward Magnetic Island from the placement area (Supplied: MINCA). For more information, visit MINCA's website. Email submissions to: dredging@townsvilleport.com.au  And copy to the Federal assessors of the application: seadumping@dcceew.gov.au  The Port of Townsville was also approached for comment. Their written response can be viewed here. You can also find more info at the Port's website: https://www.townsville-port.com.au/environment/dredging-management/application-for-10-year-sea-dumping-permit/ Support the show ------- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.comFollow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on InstagramPROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now! Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National StatementAustralian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate ChangeGreenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!WWF Australia: Protect NatureRising Ti...

    S3 E24: Magnetic Island Residents Fight Dredge Spoil Dumping

  2. Aug 15

    S3 E23: The Power of Parrotfish PLUS Priority Reefs with Professor Pete Mumby

    Send us Fan Mail Twenty years ago, the Belize Barrier Reef was in serious trouble, and nobody could quite figure out why. Then Professor Pete Mumby helped uncover the surprising role of an unlikely reef hero: the parrotfish. Today, we’re diving into the incredible world of these colourful fish and discovering how they can help protect coral reefs. PLUS… if you only have limited time, people and resources to protect some of the Great Barrier Reef’s 3,000 individual reefs, which ones would you choose? As ocean temperatures continue to rise, scientists are working to identify the reefs that are most important to protect - and the decisions aren’t easy. This week, we’re joined by Professor Pete Mumby from the University of Queensland’s Marine Spatial Ecology Lab to find out how scientists are tackling this enormous challenge. More Info: Professor Mumby's Presentation at the 2018 Coral Reef Futures Symposium Support the show ------- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.comFollow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on InstagramPROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now! Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National StatementAustralian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate ChangeGreenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!WWF Australia: Protect NatureRising Ti...

    S3 E23: The Power of Parrotfish PLUS Priority Reefs with Professor Pete Mumby

  3. Aug 5

    S3 E22: Fear vs Facts: Australia's Shark Culling Debate

    Send us Fan Mail They’ve claimed the lives of thousands of marine animals along Australia’s east coast, including turtles, whales, dolphins, rays and dugongs. No, we’re not talking about sharks. We’re talking about the shark nets and baited drum lines deployed by the Queensland and New South Wales governments. But do these programs actually protect swimmers? Does the evidence support shark culling? And what alternatives could keep both people and marine life safe? This week, hosts Tanya Murphy and Brett Goodban sink their teeth into these questions, and plenty more, with shark scientist Dr. Leonardo Guida from the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Together we explore the science behind shark behaviour, the threats facing Australia's incredible shark species, and why some long-held assumptions deserve a closer look. It's an episode with a real bite! Episode Thumbnail Image: The scalloped hammerhead has been on earth for 28 million years and has no record of ever killing a human - but it's now critically endangered thanks to humans. Further reading: Are there really more sharks? Take Action with the Smarter Safer Beaches Coalition. Support the show ------- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.comFollow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on InstagramPROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now! Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National StatementAustralian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate ChangeGreenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!WWF Australia: Protect NatureRising Ti...

    S3 E22: Fear vs Facts: Australia's Shark Culling Debate

  4. Jul 28

    S3 E21: Diving Indonesia's Incredible Komodo Islands

    Send us Fan Mail Join us aboard the luxury liveaboard boat Mikumba Dua for a journey into one of the world's most incredible destinations! We'll explore local culture with our guide Filan, climb mountains, and enjoy some of the top rated scuba diving in the world. This episode includes an interview with local dive instructor Wili, and along the way we'll answer all your questions: How do I get to Komodo and what can I see there?Which are the best dive sites to visit?When's the best time to see manta rays?Can I visit if I'm not a diver?What marine life can I expect to see?What threats is this marine park facing and what are local communities doing to protect it?This interview was recorded in October 2025. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION ON YOUTUBE Watch the YouTube version to see the interview on the dive boat with Wili, plus lots of footage of the incredible marine life we encountered on the trip! Tours Mentioned: https://filantravel.comhttps://www.instagram.com/mikumbaduaNo sponsorships were received. Support the show ------- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.comFollow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on InstagramPROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now! Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National StatementAustralian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate ChangeGreenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!WWF Australia: Protect NatureRising Ti...

    S3 E21: Diving Indonesia's Incredible Komodo Islands

  5. Jul 20

    S3 E20: The Last Saw: Saving Sawfish with Dr Barbara Wueringer

    Send us Fan Mail Sawfish, the extraordinary relatives of sharks and rays, once roamed tropical and subtropical waters around the globe. Today they've vanished from much of their former range, with Northern Australia remaining one of their last global strongholds. All five sawfish species are now listed as critically endangered, yet most Australians know surprisingly little about these remarkable animals. So, what exactly ARE these crazy-looking critters? Are they really as scary as they look? What can we do to help ensure they continue to survive in our rivers, estuaries and coastal waters? And perhaps the most important question of all: who would win in a showdown between a sawfish and a crocodile? Joining hosts Tanya Murphy and Brett Goodban to answer these questions is Dr Barbara Wueringer, founder, director and lead scientist at Sharks and Rays Australia. Support the show ------- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.comFollow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on InstagramPROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now! Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National StatementAustralian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate ChangeGreenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!WWF Australia: Protect NatureRising Ti...

    S3 E20: The Last Saw: Saving Sawfish with Dr Barbara Wueringer

  6. Jul 12

    S3 E19: Protecting Paradise: The Future of the Coral Sea Marine Park

    Send us Fan Mail Beyond the Great Barrier Reef lies one of the world's largest marine protected areas: the Coral Sea Marine Park. Home to spectacular reefs, abundant marine life and some of the planet's best dive sites, it's one of Australia's last great ocean wildernesses. But is it getting the protection it deserves? On today's show, hosts Tanya Murphy and Brett Goodban are joined by Dive Queensland Principal Terry Cummins and Save Our Marine Life Coral Sea Campaigner Steve Ryan to explore what makes the Coral Sea so extraordinary, why the Australian Government's review of marine parks is a rare opportunity to strengthen protection, and why that's good news for both ocean wildlife and recreational fishers. Thumbnail Image: Diving in the Coral Sea, by Cathie Cummins Support the show ------- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.comFollow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on InstagramPROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now! Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National StatementAustralian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate ChangeGreenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!WWF Australia: Protect NatureRising Ti...

    S3 E19: Protecting Paradise: The Future of the Coral Sea Marine Park

  7. Jul 8

    S3 E18: Gone Buggo: Tiny Animals of the Reef and Rainforest with Steven Gill

    Send us Fan Mail Reef and Rainforest tour guide Steven Gill is on a mission to bug you... in the best possible way. Armed with a camera, a handful of LEGO bricks and an infectious love for the tiny creatures we usually overlook, he's proving that the smallest critters often have the biggest personalities. Along the way we'll meet Katy Perry, get business advice from a cleaner wrasse, and explore the surprising connection between the world's oldest surviving rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. We'll discover why eels don't have g******s, why a clean car windscreen is actually bad news, and why monocultures are a terrible idea. www.gonebuggo.comwww.instagram.com/gone_buggowww.daintreetours.comwww.calypsoreefcruises.comSupport the show ------- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.comFollow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on InstagramPROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now! Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National StatementAustralian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate ChangeGreenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!WWF Australia: Protect NatureRising Ti...

    S3 E18: Gone Buggo: Tiny Animals of the Reef and Rainforest with Steven Gill

  8. Jul 4

    S3 E17: CoralWatch: Citizen Science in Full Colour

    Send us Fan Mail Fifty shades of coral? Not quite... but those colours tell an incredible story. This week we're diving into CoralWatch, the world's longest-running DIY reef science project. Discover how anyone with a mask, a colour chart and a love of coral can help scientists monitor reef health. Diana Kleine from the University of Queensland (pictured in the episode thumbnail image) joins us to prove that citizen science is anything but black and white. She also shares insights on the 'What Can I Do' project, revealing surprising data about how people engage with climate action in their everyday lives. More info: www.coralwatch.orgWhat Can I Do? - www.actionplan.coralwatch.orgSAVE SCOTT REEF! As discussed in the episode introduction - Please sign the petition here: www.marineconservation.org.au/actions/econsideration-consultation-period-browse-scott-reef/ Support the show ------- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.comFollow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on InstagramPROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now! Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National StatementAustralian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate ChangeGreenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!WWF Australia: Protect NatureRising Ti...

    S3 E17: CoralWatch: Citizen Science in Full Colour
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Tanya Murphy
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Word on the Reef
  • Show Website
    Word on the Reef

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