The Heart of Ningaloo Reef

Located on the stunning shores of Western Australia’s Coral Coast, Coral Bay is at the heart of the Ningaloo Reef and is home to a huge variety of marine wildlife 

- the "Coral Coast Crew". 

Watch:

Coral Bay, The Heart of Ningaloo Preview - by Migration Media 

This is a preview of Migration Media's Production “Coral Bay, The Heart of Ningaloo”, a compilation of underwater marine life footage and spectacular scenes of the Coral Coast, filmed by my friends in the bay. This video showcases some of the beauty of Ningaloo Reef and presents some of the unique animals that reside in and frequent these waters, including: Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, Dugongs, Turtles, Reef Fish, beautiful Coral Reefs and various types of Sharks and Rays.

Photo: Dancing with Manta Rays, Coral Bay - Cochise Page

Coral reefs are primary producers that sustain many trophic levels of ecosystems. The proximity of the reef to the continental shelf sanctions for oceanic current convergence of cold and warm waters (Sleeman et al. 2007). This creates upwelling and provides the necessary biophysical conditions to support a diverse array of species (Sleeman et al. 2007). The Ningaloo Reef hosts a large suite of resident marine megafauna including dugongs, sharks, dolphins and manta rays (Preen et al. 1997). Some marine megafauna such as humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) migrate through Ningaloo Reef, stopping for a rest and a play, en route to breeding grounds further north (Sleeman et al. 2007). Turtles migrate to Ningaloo Reef to forage and nest (Preen et al.1997), while other migratory megafauna such as whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) have predictable seasonal occurrences at Ningaloo Reef to feed, and possibly for other reasons that are not yet clearly understood (Sleeman et al. 2007). Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are known to target krill feeders such as baleen whales as calves or juveniles, when in their high latitude breeding grounds. The trophic distributions and foraging of many marine megafauna species are often correlated with the physical and biological properties of surface waters, and ultimately on the primary productivity of the coral reef ecosystem (Sleeman et al. 2007).

Photo: Oyster Bridge, Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef - Bec Towers

Here is another short video featuring “Coral Coast Crew” and highlighting the beauty and the importance of conservation of Ningaloo Reef. This part of the Coral Coast has an abundance of marine life, including endangered animals such as dugongs and whale sharks that live in Ningaloo and surrounding waters.   

Protect Ningaloo Reef

from Migration Media

References:

Preen, A. R., Marsh, H., Lawler, I. R., Prince, R. I. T., & Shepherd, R. (1997) Distribution and abundance of dugongs, turtles, dolphins and other megafauna in Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia, Wildlife Research 24, 185–208.

Sleeman, J., Meekan, M., Wilson, S., Jenner, C., Jenner, M., Boggs, G., Steinberg, C. & Bradshaw, C. (2007) "Biophysical correlates of relative abundances of marine megafauna at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia", Marine & Freshwater Research, 58 (7), 608-623.