MOUA’s CORAL GREENHOUSE CELEBRATES ONE YEAR OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Installed in late 2019, and opened to the public on 1 August 2020, the Museum of Underwater Art’s Coral Greenhouse has undergone a significant physical transformation in twelve months.
Key achievements:
• The purpose of MOUA has always been to highlight reef conservation, restoration and education on a global scale, and recent surveys show encouraging environmental results:
- A 295% increase in the total number of individuals across 41 species of fish, compared to a pre-installation baseline survey
- New ‘recruits’ growing on the structure (pocillopora recruits - a genus of stony corals in the family Pocilloporidae commonly called cauliflower corals and brush corals)
• The Museum of Underwater Art has achieved global award recognition:
- Voyages Eco Creativity Award, China
- New Culture Destination of the Year (Asia/Pacific) finalist, LCD Berlin Awards
- Banksia Foundation Sustainability Awards (finalist), Australia
• When first launched, the project attracted considerable global media coverage:
- 400 positive pieces of press coverage globally, including – China, Japan, India, UK, Australia, New Zealand
- Over 184 million potential reach through social and traditional media
The Coral Greenhouse is under a comprehensive monitoring program where qualified marine scientists conduct regular surveys, and this is also something that visitors can participate in with onboard dive survey cards.
Future stages of the Museum of Underwater Art are planned for Magnetic Island and Palm Island, with community consultation underway.
To learn more about the work of the Museum of Underwater Art and to donate toward programs to support the Great Barrier Reef, visit moua.com.au/support
Click the image to watch the video
Credit: @grumpyturtlecreative
