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1
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I'm here, surrounded by one
of nature's greatest wonders.
2
00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:13,920
A living structure so enormous,
it can be seen from space.
3
00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:19,680
The Great Barrier Reef.
4
00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:29,360
Home to one of the most extraordinary
communities of animals on the planet.
5
00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:37,560
'I've been fascinated by it
for almost 60 years.'
6
00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:49,040
Here, unknown species
are still being found.
7
00:00:52,160 --> 00:00:54,879
And scientists are making
astonishing discoveries
8
00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:57,160
about the creatures
that we thought we knew.
9
00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,719
'In this series, our research vessel,
the Alucia,
10
00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:06,640
'will allow us to explore the reef
as never before.'
11
00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:14,840
Using the latest technology,
I'll visit its mysterious depths.
12
00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:21,160
Nobody has ever dived as deep as this
before on the Great Barrier Reef.
13
00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:25,720
I'll learn of its surprising origins.
14
00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:32,119
And discover how this
wonderfully diverse community
15
00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:35,800
has been created by some of the very
smallest creatures on the reef.
16
00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:43,080
But visited by some of the most
impressive animals on the planet.
17
00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:55,440
It's an ecosystem like no other.
18
00:01:57,720 --> 00:01:59,320
Vital to our oceans.
19
00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:08,200
And surprisingly, we are still
uncovering its many secrets.
20
00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:37,480
The Great Barrier Reef lies
on Australia's north-east coast.
21
00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:43,680
It's 1,400 miles long...
22
00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:50,640
...and at its widest,
150 miles across.
23
00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:57,440
It consists of almost 3,000
individual coral reefs...
24
00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:02,080
...and 900 islands.
25
00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:07,399
And for me, it's truly
26
00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:09,960
one of the most extraordinary places
on the planet.
27
00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:14,239
People say to me,
28
00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:17,159
"What was the most magical thing
you ever saw in your life?"
29
00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:22,119
"What was the most magical moment
in your career as a naturalist?"
30
00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:27,079
And I always say,
the first time I put on a mask
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00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,119
and went below the surface
32
00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:33,839
and moved in three dimensions
just with a flick of my fin
33
00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:38,479
and suddenly saw all these
amazingly multicolored things
34
00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:41,080
living in communities right there.
35
00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:44,559
Just astounding things.
36
00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:46,200
Unforgettable beauty.
37
00:03:54,760 --> 00:03:57,799
I first came to the Barrier Reef
nearly 60 years ago.
38
00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:01,199
And I remember very clearly
how amazed I was
39
00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,079
to see such a complexity of life.
40
00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:08,159
But today, we have ways
of looking at the reef,
41
00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:11,399
technical ways,
which we never had before
42
00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:14,919
and give us a completely new vision
of this wonderful place,
43
00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:18,680
which is surely one of the greatest
treasures of the natural world.
44
00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:27,439
'Now I've returned.
45
00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:30,279
'And taking me on this journey
is the Alucia,
46
00:04:30,280 --> 00:04:34,440
'a 56-meter state-of-the-art
research and exploration vessel.
47
00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:43,079
'For this expedition, we've
been granted unprecedented access
48
00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:46,920
'to some of the most remote corners
of the Great Barrier Reef.'
49
00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:57,319
Onboard is a team of experts.
50
00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:00,280
And at our disposal,
all the latest technology.
51
00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,439
Our mission is to reveal
a hidden world
52
00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:08,279
and to complete a series of dives
53
00:05:08,280 --> 00:05:11,880
that have never before been attempted
on the Great Barrier Reef.
54
00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:20,320
But to do that, we have had to bring
in a very special piece of equipment.
55
00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,720
This is a Triton submarine.
56
00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:32,520
The very latest
in submersible technology.
57
00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:37,480
And the first of its kind
to be brought to these waters.
58
00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:44,359
The submersible's captain,
Buck Taylor, will lead the dive team.
59
00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:49,760
With 2,000 dives under his belt,
his expertise is unparalleled.
60
00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:57,479
While our film crew
rigs the submersible
61
00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:59,079
with no fewer than eight cameras,
62
00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,879
Buck gathers the rest of the team
together
63
00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:04,399
to brief us on the dives ahead.
64
00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:07,279
COMPUTER: "Welcome to the MV Alucia
submersible team..."
65
00:06:07,280 --> 00:06:10,959
'The submersible offers
spectacular filming opportunities,
66
00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:13,399
'but it's not without its dangers.'
67
00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:15,519
Coming from the rescue background,
68
00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:18,399
I've been in a submersible
up to my waist in water,
69
00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,879
I've had a fire in a submersible.
70
00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:24,600
COMPUTER: "No smoking,
smoking materials..."
71
00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:29,119
'As well as these hazards,
Buck is also obliged to raise
72
00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:32,999
'one of the more intimate limitations
of submersible life.'
73
00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:35,479
We do have facilities
of a toilet on board.
74
00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:39,079
Obviously, because it's quite
confined, it's not very discrete,
75
00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,559
so we do have some towels out
that we can hold up around you.
76
00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:46,199
It's quite interesting trying to
explain about going to the toilet
77
00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:49,719
in a three-man submersible
in a sort of sphere
78
00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,879
that's less than two metres
diameter. It's quite intimate.
79
00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:55,839
He was six foot three...
LAUGHTER.
80
00:06:55,840 --> 00:06:57,919
We've got cameras
pointing from every direction.
81
00:06:57,920 --> 00:06:59,679
Good. Thank you.
82
00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:02,280
Thanks very much.
I'm looking forward to it a lot.
83
00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:10,359
The Alucia's first mission
84
00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:13,479
is to take us to
the Barrier's stunning ribbon reefs
85
00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:15,520
in the north of its extensive range.
86
00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:22,359
It's an area of
outstanding natural beauty
87
00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:25,240
and the perfect place
to begin our explorations.
88
00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:32,199
The story of the Great Barrier Reef
89
00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:35,920
starts with its most important
inhabitant, the coral itself.
90
00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:42,639
Hidden inside
these branching structures
91
00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:46,480
are the thousands of tiny creatures
that build these reefs.
92
00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:54,000
And they have an enormous
claim to fame.
93
00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:58,880
Together, they've built the largest
living structure on earth.
94
00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:08,719
But these fascinating coral creatures
are only active at night.
95
00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:10,519
So to capture their behaviour,
96
00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:13,200
we'll need to do something
I've never done before.
97
00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:20,999
Tonight, a team of specialist
divers, scientists
98
00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,479
and programme-makers, like myself,
99
00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:27,559
have gathered together to have
a closer look and a longer look
100
00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:31,480
at the reef at night
than perhaps has ever been possible.
101
00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:36,879
When I came here 60 years ago,
102
00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:40,080
the idea of a night dive
was almost inconceivable.
103
00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:46,399
It seemed to me, a beginner,
to be far too dangerous.
104
00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,160
But now, technology
is going to help me.
105
00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:57,359
'Once I'm in, it's over to Buck
and the support team,
106
00:08:57,360 --> 00:08:59,679
'who remain on board the Alucia,
107
00:08:59,680 --> 00:09:02,239
'to make sure
everything goes smoothly.'
108
00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:04,240
INDISTINCT RADIO
109
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'They've spent months
preparing for this moment.'
110
00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:12,519
SIREN WAILS
111
00:09:12,520 --> 00:09:16,279
'Our submersible, known to the crew
as the Nadir,
112
00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:19,639
'has, of course, made dives like this
all over the world.
113
00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:23,999
'She's descended to the deepest part
of the oceans,
114
00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:27,159
'but she's never visited
the Barrier Reef.
115
00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:28,840
'It's a first for all of us.
116
00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:38,399
'But before we can go anywhere,
we'll need to position the Nadir
117
00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:41,040
'at a safe distance from the Alucia.
118
00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:47,559
'It's a substantial operation,
119
00:09:47,560 --> 00:09:49,560
'but finally, we're ready
to get underway.'
120
00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:55,640
S.O. Nadir, just approaching
the buoy. Am I clear to vent?
121
00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:00,759
RADIO: "Roger, Nadir. You are
clear to vent, clear to vent."
122
00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:02,360
"Have a good dive, guys."
123
00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:13,840
'Sinking beneath the waves
is a very surreal experience.
124
00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,160
'Your first instinct
is to hold your breath.
125
00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:32,200
'At night,
the reef is a ghostly world.
126
00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:41,000
'Tiny shrimp-like creatures
dance in the lights.'
127
00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:52,040
Look at that! Wow!
128
00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:58,039
'With little light,
there is a lot less color,
129
00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:00,680
'but this is still
a very magical place.'
130
00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:07,480
Ah! There's something! My first fish!
131
00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:13,919
'Our submersible will eventually
take us to depths of 300 metres.
132
00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,519
'Now, we're only 30 metres down,
133
00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:18,760
'but that's exciting enough
for a start.'
134
00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:28,439
In these dark waters,
Buck needs to be careful
135
00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:30,920
as we move around the front
of the reef.
136
00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:41,759
Coral reefs are sometimes described
as marine cities.
137
00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:43,920
And the comparison
is indeed a good one.
138
00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:49,399
We're here to take a closer look
at the reef's architecture.
139
00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:50,880
Its coral buildings.
140
00:11:56,560 --> 00:12:00,600
There are more than 450
different species of hard coral.
141
00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:06,319
The plant-like structures we can see
are actually made of limestone.
142
00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:09,919
And living inside are thousands
of highly industrious little animals
143
00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:11,760
called coral polyps.
144
00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:19,719
At night, the water around the reef
145
00:12:19,720 --> 00:12:23,119
becomes filled with clouds of
tiny microorganisms
146
00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:25,360
called the zooplankton.
147
00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:30,240
And that's what the corals eat.
148
00:12:35,680 --> 00:12:39,239
The coral polyps themselves
emerge from their stony skeleton
149
00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:43,520
and start groping in the water
with their tentacles.
150
00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:50,320
To see just what they're doing,
we need specialized cameras.
151
00:12:53,840 --> 00:12:57,439
The coral polyps never leave
the safety of their limestone homes,
152
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even at night.
153
00:13:03,560 --> 00:13:06,519
If something edible
comes within reach,
154
00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:10,400
the polyps fire the microscopic
harpoons that line their tentacles.
155
00:13:15,560 --> 00:13:19,400
The prey is stunned or killed and
then pulled into the polyp's mouth.
156
00:13:21,680 --> 00:13:24,800
When you can't leave your home,
it pays to be accurate.
157
00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:30,559
The coral's stinging armory
isn't used only for collecting food.
158
00:13:30,560 --> 00:13:32,919
They also use it to fight.
159
00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:36,599
Because, as has been discovered
only comparatively recently,
160
00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:39,319
corals, like many animals
that live on land,
161
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are extremely territorial.
162
00:13:41,560 --> 00:13:44,399
But in order to see the battles,
163
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you have to speed up time.
164
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The polyps of each colony
collaborate to defend their patch.
165
00:13:59,840 --> 00:14:02,440
As in any big city,
space is precious.
166
00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:06,720
If a rival grows too close,
there will be trouble.
167
00:14:10,560 --> 00:14:12,840
These fights can last for hours.
168
00:14:17,680 --> 00:14:19,159
The competition is fierce
169
00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:21,559
as the coral colonies
jostle with one another
170
00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:23,520
for the best feeding sites.
171
00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,880
When they're not locked in battle,
the corals have work to do.
172
00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:39,839
'They must extract calcium carbonate
from the surrounding seawater
173
00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,080
'and with it, build their homes.'
174
00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:51,879
Each coral species has its own
particular way of building.
175
00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:55,079
And together, they eventually create
the huge reefs
176
00:14:55,080 --> 00:15:00,320
that provide homes for all kinds
of other, much larger creatures.
177
00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:19,039
At night, the reef seems like
an extraterrestrial world.
178
00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:22,400
But down here, we are the aliens.
179
00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:27,760
And here comes a turtle!
180
00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:32,239
Attracted by our lights.
181
00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:33,960
Come on!
182
00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:40,760
Coming straight to us.
183
00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:53,599
Isn't that great!
184
00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:55,839
'Coming face-to-face
with a green turtle
185
00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:57,879
'in this setting is a rare privilege,
186
00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:01,319
'but its presence here, along with
all the other reef residents,
187
00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:05,239
'is only made possible
thanks to the great coral builders.'
188
00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:07,800
He doesn't look very upset, does he?
189
00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:13,280
It happens all the time on this reef.
190
00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:26,880
It's the perfect end
to my first dive.
191
00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:35,000
The time has come for us to make
our way back up to the Alucia.
192
00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:47,120
Welcome back, gentlemen.
193
00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:56,280
Diving on a reef at night
is a thrilling experience.
194
00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:03,279
What I want to see next is how
exactly these tiny coral creatures
195
00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:06,080
have created such a vast
and extensive habitat.
196
00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:12,479
To answer that, we'll need to
look at the reef
197
00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:14,360
from another angle entirely.
198
00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:53,639
At this height,
you can begin to appreciate
199
00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:56,719
the immense size of the Barrier Reef.
200
00:17:56,720 --> 00:18:01,599
It's 2,300 kilometers long,
1,400 miles.
201
00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:05,000
It's the largest living structure
on the planet.
202
00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:12,239
Reefs much like these develop
in the shallow tropical waters
203
00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:15,240
that surround many an island
and continental coast.
204
00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,239
But few can match the Great Barrier
205
00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:22,280
in either size or complexity.
206
00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:28,680
So, what is so special about
the north-eastern coast of Australia?
207
00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:35,200
A clue to the answer
lies in the shape of the sea floor.
208
00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:39,359
If we strip away the ocean,
209
00:18:39,360 --> 00:18:43,200
we can reveal the reason why such
extraordinary growth is possible.
210
00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:49,119
The reef has grown on
a very shallow continental shelf.
211
00:18:49,120 --> 00:18:53,320
Beyond which, there is a sudden
and very steep 2,000-meter drop-off.
212
00:18:56,320 --> 00:19:01,079
It stands in waters with
an average depth of just 35 metres.
213
00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:05,520
That's just about as far as sunlight
can penetrate with any strength.
214
00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:12,439
Light is crucially important
to reef-building corals
215
00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:15,119
because they have developed
a special partnership
216
00:19:15,120 --> 00:19:17,959
with microscopic algae -
217
00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:20,960
plants that actually grow
within tissues.
218
00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:27,039
The algae get a safe home
219
00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:30,119
and, like all plants,
when they photosynthesize,
220
00:19:30,120 --> 00:19:31,600
they produce energy.
221
00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:40,480
The coral polyps use this energy
to construct their limestone home.
222
00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,599
Together, they've built
an underwater city
223
00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:52,040
on a scale that is almost impossible
to comprehend.
224
00:19:56,120 --> 00:19:59,719
But amazingly, just 10,000 years ago,
225
00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:02,200
there was no coral here at all.
226
00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:11,120
The Great Barrier Reef as we know it
today simply didn't exist.
227
00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:18,279
How and when these coral communities
began
228
00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:22,120
is something scientists have only
recently started to investigate.
229
00:20:24,360 --> 00:20:26,679
Marine geologist, Dr Robin Beaman,
230
00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:31,199
has been leading an ambitious project
to scan the entire reef.
231
00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:34,920
And his data has allowed us
to map the sea floor.
232
00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:40,239
David, this is a three-dimensional
model of the Great Barrier Reef.
233
00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:42,919
In deeper waters,
we tend to use sonar,
234
00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:46,479
in shallow waters, we tend
to use underwater laser beams
235
00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:48,120
to image the sea floor.
236
00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:55,439
'By combining computer modeling
and radiocarbon dating,
237
00:20:55,440 --> 00:20:57,319
'his team have been able
to reconstruct
238
00:20:57,320 --> 00:21:00,920
'the key stages in the development
of the Great Barrier.
239
00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:04,799
'Their research has helped identify
an event
240
00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:07,439
'between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago
241
00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:10,880
'which may explain how
the Great Barrier Reef was formed.
242
00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:19,000
'But surprisingly, scientists are not
the only ones to tell this story.'
243
00:21:20,760 --> 00:21:24,079
Australia's Aboriginal peoples
arrived on this continent
244
00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:26,480
around 50,000 years ago.
245
00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:34,039
They have been telling the story
of how the reef was formed
246
00:21:34,040 --> 00:21:37,040
long before the world's scientists
even knew it existed.
247
00:21:39,120 --> 00:21:43,199
To hear that story, the Alucia
is taking us to Northern Queensland
248
00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:46,199
to meet a community
with a very special connection
249
00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:48,120
to this underwater world.
250
00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:01,399
They are the Gimuy Walubara
Yidinji people.
251
00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:04,880
And they live just outside
the city of Cairns.
252
00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:15,640
This community has dwelt alongside
the reef for thousands of years.
253
00:22:17,640 --> 00:22:19,320
THEY SPEAK YIDINY
254
00:22:21,280 --> 00:22:25,799
And many of their traditions
hark back to those ancient times.
255
00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:28,160
THEY SING IN YIDINY
256
00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:34,519
And one of them tells
how the reef came into existence.
257
00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:38,639
It's a legend that has been passed
down from generation to generation
258
00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:40,560
in the form of a dance.
259
00:22:44,120 --> 00:22:47,599
Tell me the story
that's connected to this dance, sir.
260
00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:52,759
It's part of our law story that's
told to me by my dad, my father,
261
00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:56,280
and was told to him by his father
and his grandfather, as well.
262
00:22:59,040 --> 00:23:01,199
The part of the dance
that really interests me
263
00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:04,400
is the story of Gunyah
and the sacred fish.
264
00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:10,479
The story starts with Gunyah
going out to sea.
265
00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:14,519
And he saw a glitter in the water,
which he thought was a fish.
266
00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:17,759
And when he speared it,
267
00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:22,919
he actually speared our sacred fish,
the stingray.
268
00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:25,839
So the fish got angry
and it started to rise up.
269
00:23:25,840 --> 00:23:30,439
And with its wings,
it made the sea rough
270
00:23:30,440 --> 00:23:32,680
and it caused the sea to rise.
271
00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:39,199
Take us back to the time when
the first human beings arrived here.
272
00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:40,999
What was it like then?
273
00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:43,039
The coastline would have been
very different.
274
00:23:43,040 --> 00:23:45,399
So the coastline would have
been right out here,
275
00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:47,239
on the edge of
the Great Barrier Reef.
276
00:23:47,240 --> 00:23:49,319
The sea level was much lower
277
00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:52,159
and they would have fished
and hunted the coastline.
278
00:23:52,160 --> 00:23:53,679
These were limestone hills
279
00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:55,839
that would have been eucalypts,
marshlands.
280
00:23:55,840 --> 00:23:58,120
There would have been
mangrove swamps.
281
00:24:01,880 --> 00:24:04,879
But roughly 14,000 years ago,
282
00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:08,599
the climate started to
dramatically change.
283
00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:10,439
It was the end of the Ice Age.
284
00:24:10,440 --> 00:24:13,919
And all that water started to
inundate the continental shelf
285
00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:17,999
and start to flood this vast,
flat landscape.
286
00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:20,599
And in one man's lifetime?
Absolutely.
287
00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:24,879
So, people living here
are going to have to retreat?
288
00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:27,399
Absolutely. It would
have been a dramatic time for them.
289
00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:29,439
They would have been
following the coastline
290
00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:31,519
as it prograded
further and further back
291
00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:33,439
as the water was flooding the shelf.
292
00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:37,679
The rate of change was so great
that in these very flat areas here,
293
00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:41,519
the coastline would have moved back
by hundreds of metres every year.
294
00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:43,120
Every year? Every year.
295
00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:47,600
Gosh! That's formidable.
296
00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:05,839
So our story is about
the sea rising.
297
00:25:05,840 --> 00:25:09,039
And there used to be a cliff
further out.
298
00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:11,959
And past the cliff
is where the ocean used to be.
299
00:25:11,960 --> 00:25:13,839
Now, that's really remarkable.
300
00:25:13,840 --> 00:25:18,439
Because Western science is just
beginning to make discoveries
301
00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:21,359
that seem to suggest that the sea,
302
00:25:21,360 --> 00:25:25,599
10,000, 20,000 years ago,
was way, way out there,
303
00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:27,599
which is exactly
what your story says.
304
00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:29,679
Extraordinary. Yes.
305
00:25:29,680 --> 00:25:33,319
A folk memory of an event
that happened all that time ago.
306
00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:37,199
Yeah. And the only way
we can keep it alive
307
00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:40,359
is through our song and our dance.
Yes.
308
00:25:40,360 --> 00:25:43,440
Just to keep that going
through our culture.
309
00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:46,279
So the tradition lives.
310
00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:48,120
Yes. It's wonderful.
311
00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:56,479
'It is truly astounding to think
that this story has survived
312
00:25:56,480 --> 00:25:59,520
'for so many years
and across so many generations.
313
00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:07,199
'And that it coincides with
what scientists are now discovering
314
00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:09,560
'about the age of the Great Barrier.'
315
00:26:13,280 --> 00:26:16,799
The polyps that built the reef
arrived as spawn,
316
00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:18,920
swept here by the ocean currents.
317
00:26:21,120 --> 00:26:23,719
Corals are not new to the planet.
318
00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:26,920
They've been around for at least
500 million years.
319
00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:38,839
The new reefs provided homes
for thousands of animals,
320
00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:42,760
and very quickly, a whole new
community began to establish itself.
321
00:26:46,240 --> 00:26:48,079
Today, the Great Barrier Reef
322
00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:51,720
has one of the most diverse
communities of animals on the planet.
323
00:26:56,200 --> 00:26:59,999
And it's the story of
these remarkable reef residents
324
00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:02,280
that I want to investigate next.
325
00:27:04,720 --> 00:27:09,360
To do that, the Alucia is taking me
north to a very special place.
326
00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:13,440
Lizard Island.
327
00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:23,439
It's one of the 600
continental islands
328
00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:25,640
scattered across
the Great Barrier Reef.
329
00:27:30,360 --> 00:27:34,960
And its shallow lagoon is known for
its exceptional biodiversity.
330
00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:42,159
'With the Alucia
anchored in deeper water,
331
00:27:42,160 --> 00:27:45,960
'a more modest mode of transport
will be needed to reach the shore.
332
00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:52,440
'I first visited Lizard Island
in 1957.
333
00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:57,080
'Then, it was completely uninhabited.
334
00:28:00,320 --> 00:28:03,879
'Little did I know how important
this remote outpost would become
335
00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:06,640
'in helping us to understand
the coral reefs.
336
00:28:09,960 --> 00:28:12,559
'But today, that's exactly
what this remarkable place
337
00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:14,560
'is world-renowned for.'
338
00:28:18,600 --> 00:28:21,759
Here, for the past few decades,
there has been a research station
339
00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:26,399
where scientists can study
continuously and in detail
340
00:28:26,400 --> 00:28:30,800
the full complexity of the community
of animals that makes up the reef.
341
00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:39,560
Every year, Lizard Island hosts
100 different research projects.
342
00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:44,399
Here, scientists are shedding
new light
343
00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:46,479
on the lives of the reefs' residents
344
00:28:46,480 --> 00:28:49,480
and the way in which
this complex community works.
345
00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:57,479
Thanks to their research, we now know
that coral reefs rival rainforests
346
00:28:57,480 --> 00:29:00,160
in the vast numbers of species
they support.
347
00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:06,800
The first question is, where does
all that diversity come from?
348
00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:14,119
Lizard Island reefs
owe their richness
349
00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:17,240
to the special plants that,
in places, fringe the shores.
350
00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:21,759
They link land and sea
351
00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:24,440
and they're vital
to the coral reef community.
352
00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:27,280
They're mangroves.
353
00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:32,759
Taking shelter amongst the roots
354
00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:37,079
are thousands of juvenile fish
of all shapes and sizes.
355
00:29:37,080 --> 00:29:40,759
Many of these little fish
look harmless enough,
356
00:29:40,760 --> 00:29:43,399
but when they grow up,
they will become
357
00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:46,759
some of the most ferocious predators
on the reef.
358
00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:49,599
Indeed, the existence
of these mangrove nurseries
359
00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:53,159
is one of the reasons why
the fish populations of the reef
360
00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:56,640
are among the most varied and richest
in the world.
361
00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:04,480
The mangroves are not only nurseries,
they're playgrounds.
362
00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:11,799
The aim of the game here is to
survive the most vulnerable stage
363
00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:14,840
of any animal's life,
being a juvenile.
364
00:30:19,320 --> 00:30:21,120
Baby turtles...
365
00:30:22,760 --> 00:30:25,400
...rays and even sharks
take refuge here.
366
00:30:30,200 --> 00:30:34,359
These juvenile blacktips
are just a few weeks old.
367
00:30:34,360 --> 00:30:36,599
And only one sixth of the size
they will be
368
00:30:36,600 --> 00:30:40,120
when they make it out on to the reef
as adults.
369
00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:43,719
For the first year of their lives,
370
00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:46,920
the mangroves play a vital role
in keeping them safe.
371
00:30:49,320 --> 00:30:53,040
As infants, they're vulnerable
to predation from larger sharks.
372
00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:59,559
But the tangle of mangrove roots
keeps the big predators out
373
00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:02,160
and stops them making meals
of the youngsters.
374
00:31:07,320 --> 00:31:08,719
When the young are ready,
375
00:31:08,720 --> 00:31:11,639
they will eventually leave this
sheltered world behind
376
00:31:11,640 --> 00:31:15,080
and make their way to the reef
beyond the mangrove roots.
377
00:31:21,880 --> 00:31:24,759
The next challenge will be to find
their place
378
00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:27,240
in one of the most crowded ecosystems
on the planet.
379
00:31:35,520 --> 00:31:38,960
Getting on the property ladder here
is no easy feat.
380
00:31:41,720 --> 00:31:45,239
Which is why one of the reefs'
most celebrated characters
381
00:31:45,240 --> 00:31:47,880
has developed
a very special relationship.
382
00:31:51,760 --> 00:31:55,399
Clownfish deal with the problem
of overcrowding
383
00:31:55,400 --> 00:31:59,840
by sharing space with another
creature, gigantic anemones.
384
00:32:05,360 --> 00:32:08,600
They've formed a relationship
in which both parties benefit.
385
00:32:11,480 --> 00:32:15,319
Anemones have tentacles
that are packed with stinging cells.
386
00:32:15,320 --> 00:32:19,519
Most fish touching one
get a very nasty sting,
387
00:32:19,520 --> 00:32:21,919
but not the clownfish,
388
00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:25,840
thanks to the protective layer
of mucus that covers its body.
389
00:32:29,080 --> 00:32:31,879
The clownfish keeps the anemone
in good health
390
00:32:31,880 --> 00:32:33,840
by removing unwanted parasites.
391
00:32:35,240 --> 00:32:39,079
And in return,
the anemone offers security.
392
00:32:39,080 --> 00:32:42,559
Its stinging cells ward off
the sort of creatures
393
00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:44,840
which would otherwise threaten
the clownfish.
394
00:32:49,640 --> 00:32:54,680
When the time comes for a pair to
breed, that protection will be vital.
395
00:32:59,280 --> 00:33:02,639
A female may lay up to 1,000 eggs
396
00:33:02,640 --> 00:33:05,040
on the rock beneath her anemone home.
397
00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:11,199
As she delicately attaches them,
398
00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:15,760
the male follows closely behind,
fertilizing the eggs as he goes.
399
00:33:20,120 --> 00:33:23,560
A week will pass
before the young are ready to emerge.
400
00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:30,079
Hatching only happens at night,
401
00:33:30,080 --> 00:33:32,999
so to record it, we have to use
infrared cameras
402
00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:35,920
in a specialized filming environment.
403
00:33:38,120 --> 00:33:42,000
This is the very first time
that this behaviour has been filmed.
404
00:33:44,720 --> 00:33:47,319
With gentle encouragement
from their father,
405
00:33:47,320 --> 00:33:49,560
the young are helped on their way.
406
00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:01,520
Once the little larvae are set free,
they're on their own.
407
00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:05,719
They'll spend the first few weeks
of their life
408
00:34:05,720 --> 00:34:07,600
developing in the open ocean.
409
00:34:10,680 --> 00:34:12,319
But how will the young clownfish
410
00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:14,839
find their way back to
the coral reefs
411
00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:17,480
after drifting many miles out to sea?
412
00:34:25,040 --> 00:34:28,599
To understand that, we will have
to tune into a sense
413
00:34:28,600 --> 00:34:32,400
we don't normally associate with
this colorful underwater world.
414
00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:36,880
Sound.
415
00:34:42,400 --> 00:34:46,479
Coral reefs are surprisingly
noisy places.
416
00:34:46,480 --> 00:34:50,279
Fish and invertebrates
produce a whole range of clicks
417
00:34:50,280 --> 00:34:52,839
and grunts and snaps.
418
00:34:52,840 --> 00:34:57,399
The healthier the reef, the more
varied and numerous its inhabitants
419
00:34:57,400 --> 00:34:59,720
and the louder this chorus is.
420
00:35:02,320 --> 00:35:05,239
We now know that fish,
just like birds,
421
00:35:05,240 --> 00:35:08,560
vocalize most at dawn and dusk.
422
00:35:11,240 --> 00:35:14,679
Damselfish call to defend
their territory.
423
00:35:14,680 --> 00:35:17,280
GRUNTING
424
00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:21,519
Seahorses click to attract a mate.
425
00:35:21,520 --> 00:35:24,000
CLICKING
426
00:35:26,680 --> 00:35:29,319
Others create a very different
soundscape
427
00:35:29,320 --> 00:35:31,719
simply by carrying out
their daily duties.
428
00:35:31,720 --> 00:35:33,720
SQUAWKING
429
00:35:36,840 --> 00:35:39,799
Parrotfish crunching
through the hard coral
430
00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:41,880
are a constant on the reef.
431
00:35:44,520 --> 00:35:47,199
Fish perceive sound
in two different ways.
432
00:35:47,200 --> 00:35:50,239
Many have internal ears,
but underwater,
433
00:35:50,240 --> 00:35:53,040
they can also feel sound
as a vibration.
434
00:35:56,720 --> 00:36:02,239
The noise is a key indication
that the community is in good shape.
435
00:36:02,240 --> 00:36:04,919
In fact, the louder the noise
on a reef,
436
00:36:04,920 --> 00:36:07,879
the more inviting it is to newcomers.
437
00:36:07,880 --> 00:36:11,000
Newcomers like the young clownfish.
438
00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:19,079
This little male
is no bigger than a button,
439
00:36:19,080 --> 00:36:23,080
but the time has come for him
to find his place in the big city.
440
00:36:29,880 --> 00:36:33,880
At this stage, his swimming abilities
leave something to be desired.
441
00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:42,999
But his hearing is so sensitive,
he can tell over hundreds of metres
442
00:36:43,000 --> 00:36:44,440
if a reef is suitable.
443
00:36:47,440 --> 00:36:49,320
His journey can last days.
444
00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:54,280
The final approach is usually made
at night to avoid predators.
445
00:36:56,400 --> 00:37:00,079
How fish hear and respond to sound
of a healthy coral reef
446
00:37:00,080 --> 00:37:03,159
is a major area of study
here on Lizard Island.
447
00:37:03,160 --> 00:37:07,200
And the scientists have a simple way
of collecting these fish for study.
448
00:37:08,560 --> 00:37:11,279
A light trap, like this one
at Lizard Island,
449
00:37:11,280 --> 00:37:15,680
is one way of assessing
the way that the reef is working.
450
00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:22,400
Like moths to a flame, the young
are attracted by the light.
451
00:37:24,200 --> 00:37:26,959
'By sampling the newest members
of the community,
452
00:37:26,960 --> 00:37:29,679
'scientists can figure out
how far these juvenile fish
453
00:37:29,680 --> 00:37:32,360
'are willing to travel
for a good home.'
454
00:37:36,880 --> 00:37:40,719
In the case of the clownfish,
juveniles have been known to travel
455
00:37:40,720 --> 00:37:43,960
250 miles before they find a reef.
456
00:37:51,120 --> 00:37:55,120
Fortunately, for the majority,
it's usually a much shorter journey.
457
00:37:59,920 --> 00:38:02,159
While they rarely return to
the particular anemone
458
00:38:02,160 --> 00:38:04,039
beside which they hatched,
459
00:38:04,040 --> 00:38:07,520
60% find a new home on the same reef.
460
00:38:13,840 --> 00:38:17,399
For the clownfish and the anemone,
cooperation is the key
461
00:38:17,400 --> 00:38:20,840
to success in this extremely
crowded environment.
462
00:38:27,640 --> 00:38:31,080
Other residents, however, take a very
different approach.
463
00:38:33,720 --> 00:38:38,040
Rather than share their home, they
fiercely defend their territories.
464
00:38:41,840 --> 00:38:43,880
This is a mantis shrimp.
465
00:38:46,840 --> 00:38:49,760
Spotting the competition is
half the battle.
466
00:38:51,840 --> 00:38:54,279
There are many different
species of mantis shrimp
467
00:38:54,280 --> 00:38:56,839
but they all have one
thing in common,
468
00:38:56,840 --> 00:38:58,719
superb vision.
469
00:38:58,720 --> 00:39:02,999
The 400 million-year-old visual
system of the mantis shrimp
470
00:39:03,000 --> 00:39:07,839
is the most complex in the entire
animal kingdom.
471
00:39:07,840 --> 00:39:12,359
Its eyes are mounted on two stalks,
giving it independent vision,
472
00:39:12,360 --> 00:39:15,359
but whereas our eyes produce
binocular vision,
473
00:39:15,360 --> 00:39:19,000
each one of theirs produces three
different images.
474
00:39:20,240 --> 00:39:25,159
Not only that, whereas we have three
photoreceptors in our eyes,
475
00:39:25,160 --> 00:39:30,159
the mantis shrimp has up to 16,
giving it access to
476
00:39:30,160 --> 00:39:34,800
parts of the spectrum that we can't
even see, let alone imagine.
477
00:39:37,920 --> 00:39:42,160
And they can use their amazing
vision to devastating effect.
478
00:39:47,080 --> 00:39:50,440
While some are armed with spears,
others carry clubs.
479
00:39:57,000 --> 00:39:59,599
Many are champion boxers.
480
00:39:59,600 --> 00:40:01,119
They can deliver a punch
481
00:40:01,120 --> 00:40:04,520
that accelerates faster than
a .22 calibre bullet.
482
00:40:10,240 --> 00:40:12,879
These powerful blows are used to
stun their prey
483
00:40:12,880 --> 00:40:14,480
and defend their burrows.
484
00:40:19,680 --> 00:40:24,000
Mantis shrimps are one of the more
house-proud residents on the reef.
485
00:40:25,800 --> 00:40:27,880
In fact, they're compulsive cleaners.
486
00:40:35,840 --> 00:40:38,440
They keep their burrows
meticulously neat.
487
00:40:41,520 --> 00:40:44,239
With all that effort, it's hardly
surprising that they're
488
00:40:44,240 --> 00:40:45,560
fiercely territorial.
489
00:40:48,400 --> 00:40:50,799
In fact, mantis shrimps have
earned themselves
490
00:40:50,800 --> 00:40:53,320
a reputation for being
somewhat ill-tempered.
491
00:40:55,040 --> 00:40:58,359
But scientists have discovered that
there's another side
492
00:40:58,360 --> 00:40:59,760
to these macho males.
493
00:41:01,440 --> 00:41:05,040
This young hopeful is trying to
catch the eye of a potential mate.
494
00:41:06,400 --> 00:41:09,200
He starts by showing
off his paddle-like antennae.
495
00:41:13,440 --> 00:41:16,239
His technique may not be very
impressive to us
496
00:41:16,240 --> 00:41:19,640
but he is, in fact, sending
the female secret signals.
497
00:41:22,840 --> 00:41:25,999
And that is possible
because mantis shrimps can see
498
00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:29,319
and reflect a kind of light that
absolutely no other
499
00:41:29,320 --> 00:41:31,840
creature in the world that we know
of can see...
500
00:41:33,480 --> 00:41:34,480
...including us.
501
00:41:36,960 --> 00:41:41,200
The male's display is a private
invitation for this female to dance.
502
00:41:49,920 --> 00:41:51,839
So far, so good.
503
00:41:51,840 --> 00:41:54,000
She makes her way to the
dance floor.
504
00:42:01,960 --> 00:42:05,199
If the male can impress the female
with his performance,
505
00:42:05,200 --> 00:42:07,600
she will choose him
to father her offspring.
506
00:42:17,680 --> 00:42:20,400
It seems that this male has all
the right moves.
507
00:42:25,360 --> 00:42:28,439
The final phase of courtship,
however, usually takes place
508
00:42:28,440 --> 00:42:32,080
out of sight, within their burrows.
509
00:42:38,400 --> 00:42:41,679
The mantis shrimp is arguably
one of the reefs most colorful
510
00:42:41,680 --> 00:42:44,560
characters and typifies the key
to survival here.
511
00:42:49,080 --> 00:42:54,759
Each resident species has had to
carve out its own particular niche
512
00:42:54,760 --> 00:42:58,480
and that is what has created this
extraordinary diversity.
513
00:43:00,480 --> 00:43:05,360
Here, life can evolve 50% faster
than in other marine environments.
514
00:43:07,960 --> 00:43:11,239
The tiny creatures that have built
this remarkable ecosystem
515
00:43:11,240 --> 00:43:16,880
have created a habitat so complex
that it supports all kinds of life.
516
00:43:21,200 --> 00:43:24,039
But none of the reef's
residents would be here
517
00:43:24,040 --> 00:43:26,440
without one truly
extraordinary event.
518
00:43:28,240 --> 00:43:30,319
It occurs just once a year
519
00:43:30,320 --> 00:43:33,320
and is one of the greatest of all
natural spectacles.
520
00:43:37,280 --> 00:43:41,359
It wasn't until the 1980s that
scientists discovered it,
521
00:43:41,360 --> 00:43:43,080
here on the Great Barrier.
522
00:43:45,520 --> 00:43:46,999
On a few nights of the year
523
00:43:47,000 --> 00:43:48,839
when the conditions are just right,
524
00:43:48,840 --> 00:43:51,039
all along the length of the reef,
525
00:43:51,040 --> 00:43:55,079
corals of many different species
suddenly erupt.
526
00:43:55,080 --> 00:43:58,159
It's the great spawning event
527
00:43:58,160 --> 00:44:00,760
and it's one of the wonders of the
natural world.
528
00:44:02,800 --> 00:44:04,439
It's the one time in the year
529
00:44:04,440 --> 00:44:07,879
when the corals themselves don't
just grow by branching,
530
00:44:07,880 --> 00:44:13,199
but reproduce sexually, and it's
vital for the survival of the reef.
531
00:44:13,200 --> 00:44:15,439
In recent years, we've learned
a great deal
532
00:44:15,440 --> 00:44:19,040
about the many factors that
influenced the moment of spawning.
533
00:44:22,320 --> 00:44:25,559
But even though we know it occurs
within days of the full moon in
534
00:44:25,560 --> 00:44:29,720
October or November, the trigger that
starts it all is still a mystery.
535
00:44:34,920 --> 00:44:38,199
The light of the moon is, perhaps,
the most influential,
536
00:44:38,200 --> 00:44:39,999
but there are many other factors,
537
00:44:40,000 --> 00:44:44,999
including the temperature of the
water and the state of the tides.
538
00:44:45,000 --> 00:44:47,279
And as the moment approaches,
539
00:44:47,280 --> 00:44:49,679
all along the length of the reef,
540
00:44:49,680 --> 00:44:51,720
there's a mounting sense of
excitement.
541
00:44:55,880 --> 00:44:58,879
Fish and other predators gather.
542
00:44:58,880 --> 00:45:01,400
This will be an opportunity for
a feast.
543
00:45:09,800 --> 00:45:11,320
The timing has to be exact.
544
00:45:13,080 --> 00:45:16,959
Each species of coral has its own
particular triggers,
545
00:45:16,960 --> 00:45:20,760
but they must synchronize their
behaviour to ensure their success.
546
00:45:22,640 --> 00:45:25,199
Just half an hour before the big
event,
547
00:45:25,200 --> 00:45:27,800
there is the first
sign of the spawning to come.
548
00:45:31,560 --> 00:45:35,000
Small bundles of sperm
and eggs bulge from the polyps.
549
00:45:41,320 --> 00:45:44,240
When the moment is right,
there is a mass release.
550
00:46:12,000 --> 00:46:15,840
For hundreds of miles all
along the coast, the corals erupt.
551
00:46:39,000 --> 00:46:43,040
Only with daybreak can you see
the true scale of the event.
552
00:46:48,080 --> 00:46:52,600
Great ribbons of coral spawn drift
over the surface of the sea.
553
00:47:00,200 --> 00:47:02,239
After the coral has spawned,
554
00:47:02,240 --> 00:47:05,799
the billions of developing larvae are
swept far and wide
555
00:47:05,800 --> 00:47:07,480
by the tides and the currents.
556
00:47:08,880 --> 00:47:13,359
The vast majority will be
eaten by fish and other creatures,
557
00:47:13,360 --> 00:47:17,639
but the few survivors must then find
a place to settle,
558
00:47:17,640 --> 00:47:21,439
either on a newly-vacated site on an
existing reef
559
00:47:21,440 --> 00:47:23,480
or perhaps to found a new one.
560
00:47:31,440 --> 00:47:33,759
The newest coral recruits
will continue
561
00:47:33,760 --> 00:47:36,880
the work their ancestors began
almost 10,000 years ago.
562
00:47:48,680 --> 00:47:53,320
They are the essential organisms
on which the whole reef depends.
563
00:48:00,000 --> 00:48:02,519
The Great Barrier is what it is
564
00:48:02,520 --> 00:48:05,360
because the tiny coral polyps
never stop building.
565
00:48:08,240 --> 00:48:12,800
And what they have created is one
of the wonders of the natural world.
566
00:48:21,680 --> 00:48:24,719
Next time, we'll cross
the Great Barrier Reef
567
00:48:24,720 --> 00:48:26,760
to meet its extraordinary visitors.
568
00:48:34,520 --> 00:48:35,919
I will meet turtles
569
00:48:35,920 --> 00:48:39,119
that may have traveled
thousands of miles to get here
570
00:48:39,120 --> 00:48:40,719
and the remarkable people
571
00:48:40,720 --> 00:48:43,000
who are trying to save them from
disaster.
572
00:48:49,000 --> 00:48:53,079
I will come face-to-face with
the great predators of the reef.
573
00:48:53,080 --> 00:48:55,279
Wow. There's a huge shark.
574
00:48:55,280 --> 00:48:57,320
They are so beautiful in the water.
575
00:49:02,040 --> 00:49:05,879
And we'll meet a whale that seeks
out human contact,
576
00:49:05,880 --> 00:49:08,680
a behaviour that happens nowhere else
on Earth.
577
00:49:10,440 --> 00:49:12,599
Some come from the open ocean,
578
00:49:12,600 --> 00:49:15,879
others from the land immediately
inshore
579
00:49:15,880 --> 00:49:18,879
and still others from the sky,
580
00:49:18,880 --> 00:49:22,759
to complicate still further
the intricate community
581
00:49:22,760 --> 00:49:25,920
that is known as
the Great Barrier Reef.
582
00:49:45,000 --> 00:49:46,119
For this series,
583
00:49:46,120 --> 00:49:50,079
the production team set themselves an
ambitious challenge.
584
00:49:50,080 --> 00:49:54,000
They wanted me to experience the
Great Barrier Reef as never before.
585
00:49:58,320 --> 00:50:01,920
To achieve that, we teamed up with
a very special research vessel...
586
00:50:04,160 --> 00:50:06,239
...the Alucia.
587
00:50:06,240 --> 00:50:08,359
There aren't many boats like this in
the world and
588
00:50:08,360 --> 00:50:10,799
it's a kind of magic carpet for us.
589
00:50:10,800 --> 00:50:13,399
It allows us to float around the
reef
590
00:50:13,400 --> 00:50:15,720
and for David to tell different
parts of the story.
591
00:50:18,120 --> 00:50:21,119
On board, all the latest technology,
592
00:50:21,120 --> 00:50:23,479
helicopters, a laboratory
593
00:50:23,480 --> 00:50:25,280
and advanced mapping systems.
594
00:50:30,360 --> 00:50:32,079
At the helm of Alucia,
595
00:50:32,080 --> 00:50:33,400
Captain Frank Alika.
596
00:50:35,040 --> 00:50:37,719
The task of getting the ship
into position
597
00:50:37,720 --> 00:50:41,120
for the first big submarine launch
rests on his shoulders.
598
00:50:43,160 --> 00:50:45,679
Some parts are charted less
well than others,
599
00:50:45,680 --> 00:50:48,079
but this particular bit, there's
quite a lot of bombies
600
00:50:48,080 --> 00:50:50,519
and things out there that are likely
to jump up and bite you
601
00:50:50,520 --> 00:50:53,160
on the bottom, and that's
really not what you want.
602
00:50:56,480 --> 00:50:59,119
Fortunately, he's a lot more
hands on
603
00:50:59,120 --> 00:51:01,840
than the skipper was on my first
visit in 1957.
604
00:51:06,600 --> 00:51:07,999
But it was very primitive.
605
00:51:08,000 --> 00:51:10,599
The camera was wound up by clockwork
606
00:51:10,600 --> 00:51:13,279
and it was just me and the chap with
a 16mm camera
607
00:51:13,280 --> 00:51:14,480
and I did the recording.
608
00:51:16,080 --> 00:51:19,920
It may have been a modest shoot but
it was, in its way, ground-breaking.
609
00:51:22,160 --> 00:51:24,199
We worked on locations on the reef
610
00:51:24,200 --> 00:51:26,360
where film crews had never
been before.
611
00:51:29,200 --> 00:51:33,520
60 years later, I'm told we are
poised to make history once again.
612
00:51:36,600 --> 00:51:38,519
This time, to reach new areas of
reef,
613
00:51:38,520 --> 00:51:42,919
I'll have to rely on the Triton
submersible.
614
00:51:42,920 --> 00:51:46,919
And she's very flexible in terms
of how shallow we can come, as well.
615
00:51:46,920 --> 00:51:48,799
She'll work in 1,000 metres happily,
616
00:51:48,800 --> 00:51:51,439
but we can also work in the
splash zone,
617
00:51:51,440 --> 00:51:54,599
so her actual trim system is very
good.
618
00:51:54,600 --> 00:51:57,319
Amazing visibility, as you'll see
when you get in.
619
00:51:57,320 --> 00:51:58,920
Yes, she's a little bit flash.
620
00:52:02,720 --> 00:52:05,679
With just a few short
hours before the first big dive,
621
00:52:05,680 --> 00:52:08,480
the excitement and pressure is
building on deck.
622
00:52:12,160 --> 00:52:14,639
This will be the last
opportunity for the crew
623
00:52:14,640 --> 00:52:16,399
to check the camera gear
624
00:52:16,400 --> 00:52:18,640
and make sure everything is perfectly
in place.
625
00:52:21,080 --> 00:52:22,759
It's been a busy morning already.
626
00:52:22,760 --> 00:52:24,759
We've had soundmen, cameramen
627
00:52:24,760 --> 00:52:26,959
trying to fit all their gear into
the sub.
628
00:52:26,960 --> 00:52:29,400
We're sort of running out of space
for bodies.
629
00:52:31,840 --> 00:52:34,839
There are lots of worries when you
put your 88-year-old presenter
630
00:52:34,840 --> 00:52:36,119
in something like this.
631
00:52:36,120 --> 00:52:39,279
I mean, it's got a very small
area at the top to get into.
632
00:52:39,280 --> 00:52:41,239
There are all sorts of things that
can go wrong.
633
00:52:41,240 --> 00:52:42,560
We're always very cautious.
634
00:52:46,080 --> 00:52:47,879
And even the most limber of sub
operators
635
00:52:47,880 --> 00:52:49,479
will struggle getting in the sub.
636
00:52:49,480 --> 00:52:51,439
David's incredibly active and fit,
637
00:52:51,440 --> 00:52:53,359
but he's 88 and so we were
slightly worried
638
00:52:53,360 --> 00:52:55,400
about how he might get into the sub.
639
00:52:57,520 --> 00:52:59,839
Yeah, that's it, that's the one.
640
00:52:59,840 --> 00:53:01,639
OK, so we're just going to...
641
00:53:01,640 --> 00:53:04,679
See that landing, he'll guide you
right in.
642
00:53:04,680 --> 00:53:07,079
And then you can put your foot
there, David.
643
00:53:07,080 --> 00:53:09,280
Keep coming. Nearly there.
That's it. OK.
644
00:53:11,040 --> 00:53:12,839
You can rest against me if you want.
645
00:53:12,840 --> 00:53:14,399
Nearly sat on the pilot!
646
00:53:14,400 --> 00:53:17,720
That's all right, I'm used to it.
That's what he's there for.
647
00:53:19,000 --> 00:53:21,399
David, as usual, defied
all our thoughts
648
00:53:21,400 --> 00:53:23,639
and just went straight in without
any trouble
649
00:53:23,640 --> 00:53:25,639
as though he was a 25-year-old.
650
00:53:25,640 --> 00:53:28,680
Rest it on your lap. Is that OK?
Yep.
651
00:53:33,680 --> 00:53:37,840
So, that's hatch secure and we are
ready.
652
00:53:40,120 --> 00:53:42,719
The sub weighs almost eight tonnes
653
00:53:42,720 --> 00:53:45,520
and getting it into the water is
a major operation.
654
00:53:48,440 --> 00:53:51,039
There's something quite
extraordinary about the Triton
655
00:53:51,040 --> 00:53:52,879
being launched, standing here
on deck.
656
00:53:52,880 --> 00:53:56,279
Suddenly, the whole back deck area
of the ship comes alive.
657
00:53:56,280 --> 00:53:57,959
You've got people running around.
658
00:53:57,960 --> 00:54:00,799
Everything's incredibly detailed and
carefully planned,
659
00:54:00,800 --> 00:54:03,439
but you're sort of caught in a
whirlwind as ropes fly
660
00:54:03,440 --> 00:54:05,719
and the submarine starts to move
forwards.
661
00:54:05,720 --> 00:54:07,719
You know, this is a very
exciting moment.
662
00:54:07,720 --> 00:54:11,360
You know, this is a big day, even
in the world of David Attenborough.
663
00:54:17,640 --> 00:54:19,639
As we disappear beneath the waves,
664
00:54:19,640 --> 00:54:21,359
out on a support vessel,
665
00:54:21,360 --> 00:54:24,959
underwater cameraman Steve Hudson
prepares to film the sub
666
00:54:24,960 --> 00:54:26,360
as it explores the reef.
667
00:54:29,840 --> 00:54:32,319
So, Nick and I are going to
jump in the water,
668
00:54:32,320 --> 00:54:35,319
descend to a maximum depth of about
30 metres
669
00:54:35,320 --> 00:54:37,559
and shoot exterior shots of the
submarine
670
00:54:37,560 --> 00:54:39,160
as it cruises over the reef.
671
00:54:41,120 --> 00:54:42,879
It can be pretty tiring.
672
00:54:42,880 --> 00:54:45,359
You have to swim in front of it,
swim behind it,
673
00:54:45,360 --> 00:54:46,999
swim beneath it, swim above it,
674
00:54:47,000 --> 00:54:48,920
trying to get a multiple of shots.
675
00:54:51,160 --> 00:54:54,840
But today, because of the strong
currents, visibility is poor.
676
00:54:59,320 --> 00:55:03,880
At first, Steve struggles to locate
the sub through the cloudy water.
677
00:55:21,040 --> 00:55:23,040
Finally, he makes visual contact.
678
00:55:30,000 --> 00:55:32,839
Before we descend deeper and beyond
his reach,
679
00:55:32,840 --> 00:55:35,440
Steve must get his exterior shots of
the sub.
680
00:55:37,680 --> 00:55:39,239
Lead cameraman Paul Williams
681
00:55:39,240 --> 00:55:41,760
captures the action from inside
the vessel.
682
00:55:43,520 --> 00:55:45,039
To get the best footage,
683
00:55:45,040 --> 00:55:47,640
the divers need to coordinate with
the sub team.
684
00:55:49,480 --> 00:55:52,439
It's a task easier said than done.
685
00:55:52,440 --> 00:55:53,919
We're literally in a bubble.
686
00:55:53,920 --> 00:55:56,399
We can't talk to the divers outside.
687
00:55:56,400 --> 00:55:58,399
We had this rather crude
hand signal.
688
00:55:58,400 --> 00:55:59,839
You know, it's like,
689
00:55:59,840 --> 00:56:02,519
"Get out of shot," or, you know,
690
00:56:02,520 --> 00:56:04,280
"Well, just move over that way
a bit."
691
00:56:20,760 --> 00:56:22,840
Can you see his hand signals, yeah?
692
00:56:34,520 --> 00:56:36,359
He's saying, "Thank you."
693
00:56:36,360 --> 00:56:37,839
Thank you and...
694
00:56:37,840 --> 00:56:39,960
We're just going to do the
descent now.
695
00:56:48,160 --> 00:56:49,799
'As the vessel dives deeper,
696
00:56:49,800 --> 00:56:53,119
'we're treated to some spectacular
sights...
697
00:56:53,120 --> 00:56:54,160
Oh, how beautiful.
698
00:56:56,520 --> 00:56:59,119
'..Which show why the reef is
one of the most dazzling
699
00:56:59,120 --> 00:57:00,760
'habitats on the planet.'
700
00:57:06,880 --> 00:57:08,719
Oh, look at this lot.
701
00:57:08,720 --> 00:57:11,159
It's jolly nice that someone of my
age
702
00:57:11,160 --> 00:57:13,719
can be taken down in fantastic
comfort.
703
00:57:13,720 --> 00:57:15,439
Grey reef shark there.
704
00:57:15,440 --> 00:57:18,639
No problem about breathing.
No problem about talking.
705
00:57:18,640 --> 00:57:21,719
No problem about your movements.
706
00:57:21,720 --> 00:57:22,720
There's another.
707
00:57:24,840 --> 00:57:26,199
You're just sitting there
708
00:57:26,200 --> 00:57:29,799
and looking at one of the most
extraordinary places on Earth.
709
00:57:29,800 --> 00:57:31,320
A privilege given to very few.
60302
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