S2 E27: Stronger Storms, Stronger Solutions: Saving Coral After Cyclones

Cyclones are part of life in the tropics, but climate change is making them stronger and more destructive. On the Great Barrier Reef, their force can pulverise thriving coral gardens into unstable rubble fields where baby corals struggle to grow. But there’s hope! In this week’s episode, we dive into an innovative solution that’s helping damaged reefs bounce back — and discover how you can play a role in bringing them back to life again!

This week's guest: Freda Nicholson, marine biologist and Program Manager for Mars Sustainable Solutions.

💸 WIN $100! Fill out our Word on the Reef Listener Survey before 30 September 2025 to go in the draw.

Shout-out to our latest Patreon supporter, Dr Sally Gregory --  check out her underwater cleanup project at Tallebudgera Creek on the Gold Coast!

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro & Whale Update
• 3:17 How Climate-Fuelled Cyclones are Impacting the Reef
• 7:01 Introducing Freda & Mars Sustainable Solutions
• 8:45 What is a Reef Star?
• 11:14 How to Restore Coral with Reef Stars
• 18:02 Chocolate and Blast Fishing: How Reef Stars Were Born
• 25:51 A Lot Can Change in a Gap Year: Freda's Story
• 28:23 How Effective are Reef Stars?
• 30:10 A Galaxy of Stars: Restoring the World's Reefs
• 31:11 The HOPE Reef Project
• 32:04 How to Make a Reef Star
• 33:19 Local Custodians: The Role of the Tourism Industry & Traditional Owners
• 36:09 Visit the Reef & Plant Corals: How to Get Involved
• 36:58 Can Reef Stars Save the Reef?
• 38:48 What's Next?
• 39:38 Add Sulawesi to Your Bucket List