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Word on the Reef

Tanya Murphy
Great Barrier Reef
Climate Change
Coral Bleaching
Marine Conservation
Sea Turtles
Australian Marine Conservation Society
Scott Reef
Cairns
Australia
Unesco World Heritage
Australian Government
Biodiversity
Marine Biology
Whale Sharks
Citizen Science
Fossil Fuel Industry
Ningaloo Reef
Tourism
Community Engagement
Voter Responsibility

Diving into marine science adventures on the Great Barrier Reef and beyond!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes72Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceLife SciencesNature

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Artwork for Word on the Reef

Latest Episodes

Scientists have discovered that marine species are migrating away from the equator at a rate of 40 to 70 kilometres per decade to get to cooler waters as climate change heats up our ocean.

But far from being a viable escape plan, this mass poleward ... more

YouTube

Every year up to 7,000 tons of seafood is caught on the Great Barrier Reef, while up to 190 tons of coral is collected for the international aquarium trade. But how sustainable are these fisheries? And as consumers, how can we make sure we're making ... more

YouTube

Did you know that some Great Barrier Reef fish species are spending part of their life cycle in the middle of our city? That's right, marine fish species could be as close as your nearest concrete storm water drain, swimming among abandoned shopping ... more

YouTube

For 65,000 years before computers, satellites, and scientific journals, Australia's first peoples were reading tides, stars, seasons, animal behaviour, currents, and ecosystems with extraordinary precision. Yet until recently, their knowledge was not... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jan Strugnell
Evolutionary Molecular Biologist, Professor and Director in the Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Agriculture at James Cook University
James Cook University
Episode: S3 E16: Fish out of their (Usual) Waters: Why Marine Life are Moving Poleward
Simon Miller
Great Barrier Reef Fisheries Campaign Manager
Australian Marine Conservation Society
Episode: S3 E15: Seafood Fishing and Aquarium Harvesting on the Great Barrier Reef: Are they Sustainable?
Phil Laycock
Manager of the Cairns Saltwater Creek Habitat Restoration Project with OzFish Unlimited
OzFish Unlimited
Episode: S3 E14: Reef Fish Beneath our City: Restoring Cairns' Urban Waterways and Oyster Reefs with Phil Laycock
Libby Evans-Illidge
Leader of the Indigenous Partnerships Program, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Australian Institute of Marine Science
Episode: S3 E13: The First Scientists: How Indigenous Knowledge can Help Protect our Oceans
Dr. Caitlin Smith
James Cook University Marine Ecologist, turtle researcher
James Cook University
Episode: S3 E12: Mud, Blood and Sea Turtles: Caitlin's Quest to Give Turtles a Future
Kathy Townsend
Professor of Marine Biology, University of the Sunshine Coast; lead researcher with Project Manta
University of the Sunshine Coast; Project Manta
Episode: S3 E11: Befriending Giants: The Secret Lives of Manta Rays
Helene Marsh
Dugong expert, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Science
James Cook University
Episode: S3 E10: Dugong Wars: The Fight to Save Mermaids with Professor Helene Marsh
Gary Cobb
A Nudibranchs Central champion, photographer, and author of Nudibranchs Central and nudibranch.com.au
Nudibranchs Central / Nudibranch.com.au
Episode: S3 E9: Meet Gary, the King of Nudibranchs (AKA the Ocean’s Craziest Sea Slugs)
Dr. Lissa Schindler
Marine Ecologist and Great Barrier Reef Campaign Leader
Australian Marine Conservation Society
Episode: S3 E8: UNESCO Sounds Alarm on the Great Barrier Reef + Cyclone Narelle’s Fallout

Host

Brett Goodband
Co-host, marine educator, and reef conservation advocate with a background in aquarium education and field biology.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 47 ratings
  • A reef lovers best resource

    I have loved the ocean and coral reefs since I was very young, sir David Attenborough made sure of that with the Blue Planet documentaries. I have never had the chance to see a coral reef in person unfortunately. I hope to someday. This podcast has fantastic information about one of the great wonders of the world.

    I will say there are days I need to take time away from environmental news, this podcast included. I sometimes don’t have the heart to listen to the bad news. I don’t think the bad ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MavJL
    Canada3 months ago
  • So good!!

    This really good! I love learning about coral reefs!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Plants vs zombieshhnjju
    Canada10 months ago
  • Favourite pod!

    Such a fantastic and educational show promoting important ecological values and breaking down the science, impacts and actions we can all take in a really accessible way. Favourite pod!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alyssa Nuttall
    Australiaa year ago
  • Excellent listen

    Loving listening to this podcast. Giving a voice to the reef and the people who love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rasfarm
    Australia2 years ago
  • Very informative

    Thoroughly enjoyed listening and learning about our Great Barrier Reef, I am looking forward to the next episode. Thank you Tania for your flight over the reef and the knowledge you have shared, you are very easy to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amber Toby
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show balances scientific depth with real-world storytelling and impact.
Audience finds actionable takeaways and practical insights for conservation and policy.
Guests and host chemistry come across as credible and passionate about reef conservation.
Listeners praise accessible, engaging delivery that makes complex reef science understandable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#146
United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#50
Australia/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#57
Taiwan/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#74
India/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#223
Belgium/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S3 E16: Fish out of their (Usual) Waters: Why Marine Life are Moving Poleward
Q: To start off, can you please tell us about yourself and your background?
Jan explains his academic journey from the UK to Australia, focusing on evolutionary biology of cephalopods and his long-term position at James Cook University, with emphasis on using genetics to answer applied questions in fisheries, aquaculture, and conservation.
S3 E15: Seafood Fishing and Aquarium Harvesting on the Great Barrier Reef: Are they Sustainable?
Q: What progress has been made on reducing bycatch and protecting threatened species?
Bycatch reduction devices like Tom's Fish Eye are being trialed with promising results for sea snakes, turtle exclusion devices (TEDs) have reduced turtle bycatch, and cameras on boats are being rolled out to improve data on bycatch and species interactions.
S3 E15: Seafood Fishing and Aquarium Harvesting on the Great Barrier Reef: Are they Sustainable?
Q: How much fishing still happens on the Great Barrier Reef and what kinds of fishing are most impactful?
The Reef is a multi-use park with about two-thirds open to some form of fishing and one-third in sanctuaries; commercial fishing is the largest extractive activity, with various forms including trawling for prawns and recreational, First Nations, and charter fishing.
S3 E12: Mud, Blood and Sea Turtles: Caitlin's Quest to Give Turtles a Future
Q: What makes sea turtles important to the ecosystem?
They act as environmental proxies for reef health and serve as charismatic icons that help raise public awareness and engagement in marine conservation.
S3 E11: Befriending Giants: The Secret Lives of Manta Rays
Q: What role does climate change play in manta conservation?
Climate change affects plankton distribution and ocean currents, which in turn disrupts feeding patterns, migration routes, and reproductive timing, making manta populations indicators of broader ocean health.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Word on the Reef

What is Word on the Reef about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on marine science and reef conservation with a practical bent toward real-world impact. Across episodes, listeners are treated to in-depth discussions on reef health, climate-driven stressors, and restoration efforts, often framed through field reporting, live site storytelling, and demonstrations of new monitoring technologies. Noteworthy is the blend of rigorous science from researchers with on-the-ground perspectives from conservation groups and industry partners, plus a clear emphasis on actionable takeaways for individuals and communities alike. The show's appeal lies in its accessible explanations of complex topics, its focus on the Great Barrier Reef, and its willingness to tackle both policy dynamics and innovati... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Word on the Reef?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Word on the Reef:

1. The Prestige Reef Dork Show
2. Conversations
3. ZOE Science & Nutrition
4. No Such Thing As A Fish
5. The Ancients

How many episodes of Word on the Reef are there?

Word on the Reef launched 2 years ago and published 72 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Word on the Reef?

Recent guests on Word on the Reef include:

1. Jan Strugnell
2. Simon Miller
3. Phil Laycock
4. Libby Evans-Illidge
5. Dr. Caitlin Smith
6. Kathy Townsend
7. Helene Marsh
8. Gary Cobb

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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