Walking sharks and giant manta rays: the secrets of Lady Elliot Island

Out of the Blue

Lady Elliot Island is one of the southernmost islands on the Great Barrier Reef. Once degraded by mining for fertiliser, it has since been restored and breeding seabirds have returned. Now researchers are untangling the relationship between the land and sea, helping scientists understand how this ecosystem works and how it might serve as a climate refuge in a warming world. It's an amazing story featuring thousands of seabirds, giant manta rays, and very cute walking sharks. We speak to Dr Christine Dudgeon from the University of the Sunshine Coast, and a researcher on the Leaf to Reef Project. Image: Epaullette Shark. Richard Ling, Flickr.