Word on the Reef

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In 2008, fish veterinarian and Adjunct Professor Professor Matt Landos was hired to investigate a series of chilling occurrences at a fish hatchery in Noosa. In one incident, hundreds of thousands of fish larvae hatched with two heads, and died within 48 hours. And that was only the start.
In this episode we sit down with Professor Landos to unpack the case that pushed him into becoming a vocal advocate for stronger pesticide regulation in Australia. What starts as an investigation into mysterious fish health problems quickly turns into a revelation of how chemical exposure can move through water, air, food webs, and even into our bodies.

Thumbnail Image: Two headed bass embryo, by G. Gilson
Recommended Resources:
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/regional/twoheaded-fish-found-in-noosa/news-story/42accfe82a341094d69d5a7454d3cb0d
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-01-28/task-force-to-investigate-two-headed-fish/275146
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-07/two-headed-fish-may-remain-a-mystery/286582
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/08/executive-at-australias-pesticides-authority-allegedly-urinated-on-staff-at-function-senate-hears
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2026-09-09/senate-to-scrutinise-apvma-paraquat-decision/107132358
Parksinson's Australia: Ban Paraquat Campaign - Make a submission or sign the petition!
International Pollutants Elimination Network: https://ipen.org/
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SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! 
Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.com
Follow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on Instagram
PROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now!
Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!
Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National Statement
Australian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!
Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!
Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate Change
Greenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!
WWF Australia: Protect Nature
Rising Ti...

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The whale was bellowing out for help - so Brenton Owens weighed up the risks, and acted. A few days later, he received an infringement notice.
In 2024, diver and environmental scientist Brenton Owens and a group of neighbours paddle-boarded out to rescue a humpback whale entangled in a shark net, risking legal action and fines of more than $30,000.
Moved by that experience, he recently kayaked more than 1,300 kilometres from the Gold Coast to Airlie Beach to document the impacts of Queensland's shark control program on wildlife. Joining him were two fellow outdoor adventurers: Australian Survivor 2025 star Kaelan Lockhart, and environment and climate scientist Pierick Martin.
In this episode, Word on the Reef host Tanya Murphy sits down with this inspiring trio to hear about their incredible adventure, the whale rescue that inspired it all, and how Queensland’s deadly shark control devices are impacting vulnerable wildlife.
Notice: It is illegal to approach within 20m of the Queensland and NSW governments' shark control devices. Approaching a distressed animal can lead to injury or death.
Thumbnail Image supplied by Brenton Owens.
This episode is now available in video format on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Donate to Kayak for Humane Shark Control
Follow The Lethal Line on instagram
Watch Envoy: Shark Cull on Netflix
Support the show
-------
SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! 
Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.com
Follow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on Instagram
PROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now!
Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!
Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National Statement
Australian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!
Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!
Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate Change
Greenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!
WWF Australia: Protect Nature
Rising Ti...

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Tyá Dynevor has always felt a special connection with animals, which has led her to becoming an ethnozoologist - someone who studies the relationship between humans and animals. It's something Traditional Owners have known about for millennia. We sat down with Tyá for a powerful discussion about how Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western science can work together to keep Country and people healthy. We dig into reciprocity with nature, the spiritual side of Indigenous science, and practical ways to reconnect with Country through observation, community action, and food sovereignty. 
Plus we honour the memory of Steve Irwin on the 20th anniversary of his passing, and form an underwater superhero team!
Further Reading:
Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance
Gilibanga
Dark Emu
Braiding Sweetgrass
Support the show
-------
SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! 
Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.com
Follow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on Instagram
PROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now!
Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!
Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National Statement
Australian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!
Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!
Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate Change
Greenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!
WWF Australia: Protect Nature
Rising Ti...

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Now available in video format on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! In this episode we sit down with Australian diving legend Ben Cropp AM to trace a life that swings from shark hunting fame to conservation, shipwreck discovery, and hard-won lessons from 70 years of diving on the Great Barrier Reef. He tells us what it really takes to stay alive underwater, think like a skipper, and keep chasing purpose into one's 90s.
Along the way we'll learn about the whale shark encounter that changed him from a hunter to a conservationist, close calls filming crocodiles at night, how he survived stinging himself with multiple box jellyfish, how he found more than 100 shipwrecks, what it's like to take Clint Eastwood fishing, what became of his legendary shipwreck museum, the hunt for pre-Cook European contact in Queensland, the impacts of water pollution observed over 70 years of diving, and advice on how to live a full life!
Support the show
-------
SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! 
Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.com
Follow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on Instagram
PROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now!
Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!
Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National Statement
Australian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!
Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!
Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate Change
Greenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!
WWF Australia: Protect Nature
Rising Ti...

Send us Fan Mail
A group of Magnetic Island residents believes the annual dumping of maintenance dredge spoil by the Port of Townsville may be creating sediment plumes that smother some of the island's pristine bays, coral reefs, and marine life.
And with the port now applying for a 10-year permit to continue the dumping at its current site, they're calling for community members to have their say. 
In this episode of Word on the Reef, we're joined by one of those residents, Gethin Morgan, president of the Magnetic Island Nature Care Association (MINCA), to understand why residents are concerned and what they believe can be done about this issue.
Thumbnail: A Satellite image from 13th July 2025 which MINCA believes shows dredge spoil drifting toward Magnetic Island from the placement area (Supplied: MINCA).
For more information, visit MINCA's website.
Email submissions to: dredging@townsvilleport.com.au 
And copy to the Federal assessors of the application: seadumping@dcceew.gov.au 
The Port of Townsville was also approached for comment. Their written response can be viewed here. You can also find more info at the Port's website: https://www.townsville-port.com.au/environment/dredging-management/application-for-10-year-sea-dumping-permit/
Support the show
-------
SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become a supporter to connect with Tanya and Brett, get a shout-out on the show, ask us questions and suggest episode topics! 
Got questions? Email info@wordonthereef.com
Follow @WordOnTheReefPodcast on Instagram
PROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now!
Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!
Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National Statement
Australian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!
Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!
Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate Change
Greenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!
WWF Australia: Protect Nature
Rising Ti...