Norman Reef Great Adventures Pontoon : 1997 biological survey and summary of damage from Cyclone Justin

Abstract

Cyclone Justin crossed the coast in the vicinity of Cairns in March 1997. The 50 knot northerly winds that followed the passage of the cyclone led to the break-off of the Great Adventures Norman Reef pontoon. and its subsequent grounding on the reef flat. Sea Research was asked to resurvey the permanent transects that were set up near this pontoon for past monitoring programs as a prelude to repositioning the pontoon. The aim was to establish what damage had occurred in the benthic community due to the pontoon break-off. and to compare this with the effects of the cyclonic waves themselves on the benthic community. A quantitative survey was also made of the pontoon drag scar on the reef flat, and of surrounding reef benthic communities to determine the effects of the pontoon grounding. The survey was carried out in April 1997, almost a month afler the cyclonic episode.