Does the principle of academic freedom protect Australian academics who engage in pointed public criticism of their academic colleagues, and university governance? A case in the High Court this week provides a rare opportunity to consider academic … [Read more...] about The Idea of Academic Freedom, Explained by Stone and Forrest*
Great Barrier Reef
The Injustice of Blowing-Up Turtles, for Convenience
It is World Ocean Day, an opportunity to learn more about the Great Barrier Reef and also artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. It is an injustice that turtles are blown-up in the Gulf of Mexico because American oil companies choose a … [Read more...] about The Injustice of Blowing-Up Turtles, for Convenience
In Search of Monster Corals – My Latest Film and Underwater Adventure
Marlin fisherman Rob McCulloch, and I, talked about going searching for the monster corals. I wanted the skipper to take me all the way to Myrmidon Reef, where I knew The Australian Institute of Marine Sciences had once cored these largest Porites. … [Read more...] about In Search of Monster Corals – My Latest Film and Underwater Adventure
Know Your Plates (Part 1)
Reef building hard corals in the order Scleractinia are animals that could be mistaken for plants. One of the most common such corals at the Great Barrier Reef is Acropora hyacinthus. At Myrmidon reef last December, we found ridges replete … [Read more...] about Know Your Plates (Part 1)
Britomart – Mostly Dead Coral, with Fish on Top
Coral reefs are the most extraordinary places, and they are essentially layer upon layer of death. Topped with the most extraordinary diversity of life forms. Consider Britomart Reef, for example, it is a mid-shelf coral reef 120 kms north of … [Read more...] about Britomart – Mostly Dead Coral, with Fish on Top
Who Ate the Green Plate?
I wasn’t the one who took that bite out of that green plate coral. Can you see what looks like a bite mark? It is at about 4 o’clock on the large, green, plate coral, which is also one of the transect photographs taken last week, on 22nd February at … [Read more...] about Who Ate the Green Plate?
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.