Straddie marine research centre worth visit

Article from: The Courier-Mail

Phil Hammond

November 19, 2009 11:00pm

FIND out what tickles a manta ray, where great white sharks hang out, what keeps humpback whales healthy and how your rubbish can kill a sea turtle.

North Stradbroke is always worth a visit, but especially this weekend. Its open day at the University of Queenslands Moreton Bay Research Station on North Stradbroke Island tomorrow.

Families can check out the busiest marine research station in the southern hemisphere at the annual UQ Bay Fest.

Theres free access to see first-hand what research is being undertaken and to hear talks about the work.

Make it a full day out or stay over on Straddie and enjoy a wonderful place.

Marine biologist Dr Kathy Townsend, the station's manager of research and education, wants the public to have a look at the station.

“Its a really fantastic asset,” she says.

“Last year 20,000 people came through on tours. We are bringing lots of people from around the world to see this island from a low-impact scientific point of view.”

The island community is encouraged to visit and local schoolchildren are monitoring a shark egg they found on the shore and brought to the research station, which is incubating it.

via North Stradbrokes marine research centre is worth a visit | The Courier-Mail.