LIFE ON THE REEF

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on earth—home to a stunning array of animals, from microscopic plankton to 100-ton whales.

From the coral cays of the outer reef to the Islands of the Torres Strait, the reef's human residents work to find that critical balance between our needs and those of an ever-diminishing natural world.

The three-part LIFE ON THE REEF presents a unique and fresh angle on Australia’s greatest natural icon, seen through the eyes of those who live, work and play in this natural wonderland.

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The lionfish may look spectacular, but its venomous spines can inflict a painful sting on an unwary diver.

Courtesy of Nick Robinson and Luke Peterson / © Eye Spy Productions Trading as Northern Pictures

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Nemo's cousin, the pink skunk clownfish, makes its home in an anenome.

Courtesy of Jon Shaw / © Eye Spy Productions Trading as Northern Pictures

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Commercial dive instructor Paddy Colwell diving the steep walls of Osprey Reef, an extinct volcano with drop offs that plunge a thousand meters down.

Courtesy of Jon Shaw / © Eye Spy Productions Trading as Northern Pictures

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Great Barrier Reef aerial shot. The Great Barrier Reef is made up of around 3,000 individual reefs and over 1,000 islands.

Courtesy of Nick Robinson / © Eye Spy Productions Trading as Northern Pictures

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A green sea turtle swimming in the Great Barrier Reef. Sea turtles are one of Earth's most ancient creatures, having been around since the time of the dinosaurs.

Courtesy of Jon Shaw / © Eye Spy Productions Trading as Northern Pictures

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A green sea turtle climbs up the beach of Raine Island to lay her eggs. Raine Island is the largest green sea turtle rookery in the world.

Courtesy of Nick Robinson / © Eye Spy Productions Trading as Northern Pictures

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Marine scientists counting nesting turtles at night as part of their research at Raine Island.

Courtesy of Nick Robinson / © Eye Spy Productions Trading as Northern Pictures

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Waves crashing on the beach at Magnetic Island, Great Barrier Reef at sunrise.

Courtesy of Jeremy Simons / © Eye Spy Productions Trading as Northern Pictures

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Aerial shot of Lizard Island.

Courtesy of Nick Robinson and Luke Peterson / © Eye Spy Productions Trading as Northern Pictures

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Aerial shot of Capricorn Cays.

Courtesy of Nick Robinson / © Eye Spy Productions Trading as Northern Pictures

EPISODE GUIDE:

Episode 1 repeats Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 11 p.m. - View the reef as tourists enjoy the perfect weather, humpback whales give birth and fire destroys a luxury yacht. On the most protected island in Australia, 20,000 green sea turtles return to the biggest reptilian breeding colony on Earth.

Episode 2 repeats Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 11 p.m. - Witness the explosion of life on the reef as the wet season approaches: corals spawn, sea birds nest and thousands of turtle hatchlings erupt over the beaches. Soon torrential rain and storms will bring change and upheaval to the delicate ecosystem.

Episode 3 repeats Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 11 p.m. - The human and animal residents of the reef prepare as a category five cyclone brings destruction to the North Queensland coast. But as cyclone season finally gives way to calm seas of the dry, the reef begins to recover and thrive. From the mangroves to the coral cays reef fish populations flourish, and mysterious dwarf minke whales arrive to enjoy the warm tropical waters.

Watch On Your Schedule:

All three episodes are available to stream on demand with KPBS Passport, video streaming for members ($60 yearly) using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.

CREDITS:

Produced by Northern Pictures for PBS, LIFE ON THE REEF was directed by Nick Robinson, who was also one of the cinematographers. He was joined by cinematographers Luke Peterson on land and Jon Shaw underwater. Executive producers for Northern Pictures are Karina Holden and Sue Clothier. Bill Gardner, Vice President of Programming and Development, has overseen the series for PBS.