The Great Barrier Reef is one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on earth - home to a stunning array of animals, from microscopic plankton to 100-ton whales. The three-part series presents a unique and fresh angle on Australia's greatest natural icon, seen through the eyes of those who live, work, and play in this natural wonderland.
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Life on the Reef is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
About the Show
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living structure and one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on Earth. To some, this place is full of mystery and hardship, an alien world full of bizarre, beautiful, and deadly creatures. To others, however, it’s home.
Over the course of a year, "Life on the Reef" follows those who live in one of the most extraordinary places on the planet.
Along the 1,500 miles of coastline, rangers and marine park officers work together with traditional owners, search and rescue crews, scientists, and tourism operators to safeguard the reef and protect the millions of residents, tourists, divers, and fishermen that visit each year. It’s a monumental task — the reef covers an area bigger than the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Holland combined. Violent cyclonic weather, catastrophic crown of thorns starfish infestations, illegal commercial fishing, and protecting endangered sea turtles are just some of the challenges they face.
Set against a backdrop of extraordinary marine habitats, ranging from coral reefs to tropical islands, shallow estuaries to deep oceanic waters — the series takes the audience above and beneath the waters as nature adapts to the changing seasons throughout the year.
This is the blue frontier... where man meets wild, and nature calls the shots.
Episode 1
Tourists flock to the reef to enjoy the perfect weather, and the humpback whales are here to give birth. Fire destroys a luxury yacht, and a critical rescue is launched. 20,000 green sea turtles return to the biggest reptilian breeding colony on Earth.
Episode 2
The approach of the wet season brings an explosion of life on the reef as corals spawn, sea birds nest, and turtle hatchlings erupt over the beaches in the thousands. Soon, however, torrential rain and severe storms will cause upheaval to the delicate ecosystem.
Episode 3
The human and animal residents of the reef prepare as a category 5 cyclone brings destruction to the North Queensland coast. But, the reef begins to recover and thrive.
Producer
- Eye Spy Productions Pty Ltd
Nemo's cousin, the pink skunk clownfish, makes its home in an anenome.
1/10
Eye Spy Productions
A giant clam nestled amongst coral on the Great Barrier Reef. Giant clams are the largest mollusks in the world, reaching over four feet in length.
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Eye Spy Productions
A school of glassfish in the Great Barrier Reef.
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Eye Spy Productions
A sunbird poised mid flight on Lizard Island.
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Eye Spy Productions
Green sea turtles climb up the beach of Raine Island to lay their eggs. Raine Island is the largest green sea turtle rookery in the world.
5/10
Eye Spy Productions
Lizard Island of the Great Barrier Reef from above.
6/10
Eye Spy Productions
A brown booby chick on Raine Island. Raine Island is one of the most important seabird rookeries in the world.
7/10
Eye Spy Productions
A mangrove from above. Mangrove systems act as natural filters for the Great Barrier Reef, appropriately tagged as the "lungs" of the reef.
8/10
Eye Spy Productions
A green sea turtle climbs up the beach of Raine Island to lay her eggs. Raine Island is the largest green sea turtle rookery in the world.
9/10
Eye Spy Productions
Commercial dive instructor, Paddy Colwell, observes a Lionfish amid coral on the Great Barrier Reef.
10/10
Eye Spy Productions
