Sustainability

Boats4Corals

A promising approach to the restoration of reefs has been ‘coral IVF’, the collection and strategic relocation of coral larvae to re-seed damaged reefs. Using this methodology, coral spawn is collected, incubated in floating larval pools for 5-7 days and then deployed onto target reefs. Studies indicate that this improves the chance of coral spawn surviving to adulthood from approximately 1 in 1 million, to 1 in 10,000. ZigZag Whitsundays has been involved in the boats4corals project for several years.

https://reefcatchments.com.au/projects/boats-4-corals/

https://www.aims.gov.au/research-topics/featured-projects/reef-spawning-research-aims/boats-4-corals

Eye on the Reef

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Eye on the Reef program (EotR) allows anyone out on the water to collect valuable information on reef health, wildlife and incidents.

This data provides Marine Park managers and researchers with up-to-date information on reef health status and trends, species distribution and early warnings of environmental impacts. This bigger picture understanding informs management decisions and actions which contribute to the long-term protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

Anyone can get involved with the EotR program, from interested visitors and citizen scientists to professional marine biologists. There are four ways people can get involved depending on their interest:

• Sightings: All Reef users and visitors can report sightings and access Marine Parks zoning in real time via a free smartphone app. Download the free Eye on the Reef app.
• Rapid monitoring: For anyone who wants to be a marine biologist for a day, this program guides users through a standardised assessment of reef health and wildlife presence or absence.
• Tourism Monitoring: For tourism operators, this program provides long-term trend data and detailed biological knowledge of tourism Reef sites.
• Reef health and impact survey (RHIS): For experienced snorkelers and divers, this survey provides a detailed snapshot of reef health and includes a breakdown of habitat and impact assessment. This survey is used mainly by marine park managers, researchers, and experienced tourism staff. Participants must first complete a free basic training program.

https://eotr.gbrmpa.gov.au/about

Tourism Reef Protection Initiative

Tourism operators play a key role in protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef. Their frequent visits to the Reef position them to conduct regular pulse checks of its health and to witness changes as they occur.

The Tourism Reef Protection Initiative (the Initiative) empowers Reef tourism operators to monitor and protect the sites that they visit. Operators are contracted to provide reef protection services to preserve World Heritage values now and into the future.

The Initiative builds on the highly successful Eye on the Reef monitoring program, which partners with tourism operators to deliver high-quality data through Eye on the Reef surveys, providing near-real-time Reef health information for Reef management and reporting, including Reef Health Updates, Reef Snapshot, and Outlook Report.

In 2022, $15.1 million was allocated under the Reef Protection Package to engage twenty-six tourism operations through a competitive open tender assessment process to deliver Reef protection and conservation services to 30 June 2024. The outcomes from the initial phase of the Initiative demonstrated the capability of tourism operators to provide credible reef health data at reef and site level and the Initiative was extended until 30 June 2025 with a further $5 million. This phase focused on high-frequency, fine-scale monitoring and evidence-based actions, implemented through Site Stewardship Plans by twenty-five operators. In April 2025, a further $5 million was committed to continue Reef protection actions established through Site Stewardship Plans at 26 sites by twenty-three operators until 30 June 2026. 

Site Stewardship Plans follow a systematic, transparent science-synthesis process that integrates current best management practices, the best available data, and expert local knowledge to develop action plans for specific sites. 

During each reporting period, contracted tourism operators conduct high-frequency Eye on the Reef surveys, photo point transects and Crown-of-Thorns Starfish and Drupella snail control. Operators also complete identified actions unique to each Site Stewardship Plan such as facilitation of on-Country visits for Traditional Owners, biodiversity indexes, assisted recovery and site-intervention actions. 

Seagrass Rehabilitation and Research

The Seagrass restoration at Pioneer Bay Program involved the collection of seagrass flowers and their seeds, which were then cultivated in nurseries and then used to re-seed meadows. ZigZag Whitsundays was involved through the management of the seagrass nurseries as well as taking part in collection days.

Healthy Heart Project

With climate change the number one threat to the Reef, reducing carbon emissions is at the heart of what we do.
The Whitsundays Healthy Heart project is assisting local tourism businesses to measure and reduce their ecological and carbon footprint and offers an opportunity for genuine commitment and sustainable action in our region. This world-leading effort will contribute to achieving Sustainable Destination certification for the Whitsundays.
Read our owner Nicoles Interview Here

Coral predator control program

As part of our reef stewardship activities ZigZag Whitsundays take part in regular assessment and control of coral predators such as the Drupella Snail and the Crown of Thorns Starfish.

Local Marine Advisory Committee

Owner and Manager Nicole volunteers on the Whitsundays Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC). The LMACs are a network of community members and management partners including Traditional Owners, state and local governments who provide advice to the Reef Authority on key Marine Park management issues. These voluntary community-based committees provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss issues and provide locally specific input into Marine Park management.

Nine committees across the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Area provide a forum to:

• Provide advice to the Reef Authority on Marine Park issues and management proposals relating to the Great Barrier Reef
• Promote the exchange of information between Reef stakeholders, the Reef Authority and management partners
• Encourage, through local community networks, actions that reduce threats to the Reef and build Reef resilience (as identified in the Reef Blueprint, Outlook Report and the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan).

The purpose of the committee is to:

• Provide advice to the Reef Authority on Marine Park issues and management proposals which support the long-term protection, ecologically sustainable use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef.
• Promote the exchange of information between the Reef stakeholders, the Authority and management partners; and
• Encourage, through local community networks, actions that reduce threats to the Reef and build resilience (as identified in the Great Barrier Reef Blueprint for Climate Resilience and Adaptation, Outlook Report, and the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan).

Whales of the Whitsundays

Whales of the Whitsundays is an exciting project that has put the Whitsundays on the map as an accredited Whale Heritage Area – the first within the Great Barrier Reef and in a World Heritage Area!

Through sponsorship of this project, and a place on the Whales of the Whitsundays Steering Committee, we commit to supporting the project, which engages our community in a series of educational events, as well as having  the Whitsundays recognised as a Whale Heritage Site!

Official statement from the Whales of the Whitsundays Group:

“The shallow protected waters of the Whitsunday Islands are a unique haven where majestic marine giants choose to bring new life into the world. These shallow waters create the perfect nursery to cradle the precious moments of birth for the humpback whales, travelling thousands of kilometres to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef for this captivating natural spectacle to unfold. 

The Whitsundays is the World’s first Whale Heritage Site within a World Heritage Area. Our commitment to preserving and respecting this critical birthing habitat is unwavering, ensuring that future generations can marvel at the beauty and grace of humpback whales in their most vulnerable and intimate moments. 

Our sponsors make these awe-inspiring moments possible, fostering a deep connection between nature, those who seek unforgettable marine experiences and the historical deep First Nations cultural connections of the land and sea country of the oldest culture on Earth.”

EarthCheck Evaluate

ZigZag Whitsundays participates in the EarthCheck Evaluate Program to monitor and assess our Sustainability and Energy Efficiency policies and performance. Through this platform, we measure our energy and water use, as well as waste. Allowing us to reduce our impact and create a truly sustainable tourism experience.

Fish Feeding & Wildlife Feeding

ZigZag Whitsundays have a ‘take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints’ philosophy. As an effort to maintain the integrity of the natural environment, we do not participate in animal feeding of any kind. This includes fish feeding.

Sustainable Policies

ZigZag Whitsundays has a number of Environmental and Sustainability policies. If you would like to see a copy of any of these policies, please get in touch.