Dr Adam Smith, the CEO of Reef Ecologic, will discuss the installation, challenges and rewards of the largest underwater sculpture in the world, the "Coral Greenhouse" by artist Jason deCaires Taylor.

The work was commissioned by the Museum of Underwater Art and installed at John Brewer Reef, in December 2019. The planning process required certified engineering design drawings associated with design life, durability and suitability of materials, and baseline ecological surveys. Following approval, the operational phase required annual monitoring of substrate, ecology, social values, and marine debris. Fish surveys indicated significant increases of diversity and abundance, with 12 species and 65 individuals recorded in 2018 compared to 46 species and 365 individuals recorded in 2022. Of 131 corals transplanted in March 2020, survivorship was 100% at 1 month, 92% at 6 months, and 91.6% at 12 months.

Meet the speaker

Dr Adam Smith is an ocean and reef expert who provides leadership, strategic advice, research and monitoring and capacity building. He is CEO with Reef Ecologic Pty Ltd and Adjunct Associate Professor with James Cook University and several government, NFP, Board and advisory roles. Adam has initiated, collaborated and delivered many innovative ecological and social projects involving tourism, fisheries, ports, Defence and research in the Great Barrier Reef, Pacific and world. He is a people person and is recognised for empowering teams and delivering excellent outcomes.

This event will run off Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) and will be recorded for those unable to make the live event.

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