Reef Fish 'n' Dips

Sun Herald

Sunday January 7, 1996

SARA FROST

WELCOME to eco-Brampton Island.

Students from nearby Mackay's Pioneer High School helped make it that way and in the process have earned international acclaim.

The main beach is a bit different to the norm. This one has reached international acclaim as a direct result of the efforts of a group of 20 students from nearby Mackay's Pioneer High School.

They created a "snorkel trail" after they became concerned that careless and thoughtless swimmers and inexperienced snorkellers were seriously damaging the reef between Brampton and neighbouring Carlisle islands.

The Snorkel Trail is an environmentally-friendly and educationally-valuable project which the students believe will enable enjoyment of the intricate reef system without adding to its deterioration.

Teacher Greg McGarvie, who heads the school's marine biology section, said the class became concerned about the reef's future after a field trip to Brampton identified some environmental problems.

"There was a lot of damage being done to the reef by people who were swimming or snorkelling in it and were basically inexperienced," Mr McGarvie said. "A lot of people that come to a resort are novice divers and the first thing they do is get out there, get water in their masks and find they have to stand up.

"As there is nothing for them to stand on, they stand on the reef."

Students wanted to introduce visitors to the wonders of the reef in a way which minimised damage.

They produced an illustrated map as a guide with numbers corresponding to floating markers which identified clumps of coral and other points of interest.

Information also can be read on underwater plaques at the various highlighted areas.

"It's just a very simple concept," Mr McGarvie said.

"The technique will minimise damage to the reef and ensure that the things that are there are protected."

Staff at the resort's Watersports Centre can also give you a rundown on some of the "locals" you might encounter during your snorkel.

You could bump into Claude the Potato Cod, Mickey the Morwong or Stan the Slatey Bream.

FAST FACTS

BRAMPTON Island is 32km north-east of Mackay.

The resort offers 108 units, a main restaurant, cafe, lounge and bar. Activities include a saltwater pool which extends into the bay at one end of the main beach and a freshwater pool. Main water sports include catamaran sailing, swimming, sailboarding, and paddle boarding.

There are seven beaches to choose from and a walking track that circles the entire bay. A leisurely stroll around the island takes several hours.

Other popular land activities include golf, tennis, archery, billiards, table tennis, beach volleyball, touch football, cricket and jogging.

© 1996 Sun Herald

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