Jumping into the glistening waters of Woppaburra sea country off Great Keppel (Woppa) Island, Indigenous rangers are collecting coral larvae.
A salty mist fills the air as they kick to stay afloat, clenching onto the side of an inflatable pool bobbing beside them.
The sun is beaming on their faces as they squint to inspect the samples they’re collecting in plastic containers.
They've arrived in time for the annual coral spawning event, which is critical for marine scientists eager to improve the spawn's survival chances on the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.
But the natural phenomenon only occurs for a few nights at a time following full moons in October and November, leaving a narrow and precious window for restoration work.
First Nations rangers are collecting samples of coral larvae off Great Keppel (Woppa) Island. Source: SBS News / Jesmine Cheong
There are 20 rangers from six Traditional Owner groups participating in the initiative, which is part of one of the largest reef restoration trials in Australia to date.
The Bundjalung and South Sea Islander man and marine scientist tells SBS News there are many variables that can influence coral spawn collection and consequent restoration work.
"There's a lot of factors at play to make sure this is successful," Ivey says.
"Obviously the ecological side of coral and the coral biology, but there's also the wind and weather.
"We've been hit with a bit of weather this trip … but we've been quite successful."
Marine scientist Jordan Ivey is leading the Indigenous Futures project with AIMS. Source: SBS News / Jesmine Cheong
With several consecutive mass bleaching events, this intervention — known as "coral IVF" — is a crucial part of restoration work to bolster the reef's future survival under the rising threat of climate change.
Millions of coral larvae released
First Nations rangers learning from marine scientists as part of the project are representing sea countries spanning Cooktown to Bundaberg.
They collect spawn from slicks and place them into pools to develop into larvae for five to seven days.
Corals develop egg and sperm bundles that turn pink before spawning. Credit: Australian Institute of Marine Science/ Makeely Blandford
"Spawning is super important, obviously it's the natural process to help corals reproduce," Ivey says.
"We're trying to help that process along by collecting some of the spawn that would often get washed out to sea and not make it back to the reef."
These ceramic devices carrying coral larvae are deployed onto selected reefs off the Keppel Islands. Credit: Australian Institute of Marine Science
In 2024, huge parts of the reef were impacted by a fifth mass coral bleaching event, including southern sections of the reef around the Keppel Islands.
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee raised its "utmost concern" in July over the deterioration, adding that the reef’s long-term outlook remained "very poor".
Photo of reefs around Keppel Islands prior to coral spawning in 2025. Credit: Australian Institute of Marine Science/ Makeely Blandford
It's a big thing to potentially lose a reef, that's why we're trying to develop these interventions so we can help make a difference into the future.
'It's part of our DNA'
While scientists are ramping up efforts to protect the reef from the effects of climate change, the sea countries of 70 Traditional Owner groups are also now at stake.
The Keppel Islands, off Queensland's Capricorn Coast, are culturally significant areas for the Woppaburra people.
In 1902, the last remaining traditional owners living on the islands were forcibly removed due to colonial settlement.
Woppaburra are from a wider Whale Dreaming Indigenous Community, spanning coastal parts of Australia, and hold a special connection to their saltwater totem Mugga Mugga (the humpback whale).
Woppaburra woman Tshinta Barney is part of one of the largest restoration trials to date. Source: SBS News / Jesmine Cheong
"My mob, we were born on the islands … it's part of our DNA," she says.
"For me, it was most important to get into this, not just to better myself, but to better my community, my mob, and be the lead for future generations."
Rangers learning larvae restoration and mapping work in classrooms. Source: SBS News / Jesmine Cheong
She says it's strengthened her connection to culture by spending time on the sea country her ancestors once roamed.
"A lot of our family, especially the men were the hunters," she explains.
"Us women, we went out and fished and did all that too.
"You can't just pull us out of the water. We love being out there."
Taribelang Bunda man Kelvin Rowe says he's hoping to continue passing down the stories of his grandmother. Source: SBS News / Jesmine Cheong
He has heard stories from his grandmother who grew up on the reef and hopes to continue passing down that cultural knowledge.
"If we don't protect it [the reef], we'll be at risk of losing everything that we got," he says.
"Our culture, our songlines, everything that we have, our way of how we used to live."
Bridging traditional knowledge and modern science
It's the third year of the project, which has previously trained rangers in the Whitsundays and Heron Island during spawning events.
First Nations rangers participating in the program gain a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, learning cultural mapping in classrooms and how to use reef monitoring technology on boats.
Rangers helped deploy millions of coral larvae onto reefs off Great Keppel (Woppa) Island. Source: SBS News / Jesmine Cheong
"Seeing young rangers makes me wish that I had the same opportunity when I was younger to do it," he says.
There are 20 rangers from six Traditional Owner groups participating in the initiative. Source: SBS News / Jesmine Cheong
"And it also helps the younger ones stay on path to their own culture and keeps them with their families and then they can teach their kids as they grow up."
Rangers are learning larvae restoration and mapping work in classrooms. Source: SBS News / Jesmine Cheong
It's about inspiring the next generation to be involved … for them to have confidence in knowing that their traditional knowledge has a place in marine science.
"The living knowledge that you have of sea country is something that's really powerful and if you merge that with modern science. … I think working together is the way forward in better measurement for the Great Barrier Reef," she says.
A key objective of the recent United Nations climate summit — COP30 — was to build on efforts to preserve and restore ocean ecosystems.
Eastern Kuku Yalanji woman Natalie Friday says traditional knowledge and modern science can learn from each other. Source: SBS News / Jesmine Cheong
Ivey is calling for a more coordinated approach from all levels of government and believes engaging First Nations people is necessary for protecting the reef.
"We want to see Traditional Owners come to the front lines and help manage what they know to manage," he says.
This program is in its third year following training in the Whitsundays and Heron Island. Source: SBS News / Jesmine Cheong
"So involving them as much as possible is only going to be beneficial to themselves, the reef and the environment."
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