Life on the Reef

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living structure and one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on Earth. To some, this place is full of mystery and hardship, an alien world full of bizarre, beautiful and deadly creatures. To others, however, it’s home. Over the course of a year, Life on the Reef follows those who live in one of the most extraordinary places on the planet.

Along the 1500 miles of coastline, rangers and marine park officers work together with traditional owners, search and rescue crews, scientists and tourism operators to safeguard the reef and protect the millions of residents, tourists, divers and fishermen that visit each year. It’s a monumental task — the reef covers an area bigger than the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Holland combined. Violent cyclonic weather, catastrophic crown of thorns starfish infestations, illegal commercial fishing and protecting endangered sea turtles are just some of the challenges they face.

Set against a backdrop of extraordinary marine habitats, ranging from coral reefs to tropical islands, shallow estuaries to deep oceanic waters — the series takes the audience above and beneath the waters as nature adapts to the changing seasons throughout the year. This is the blue frontier... where man meets wild and nature calls the shots. (Source: PBS)