0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:06 > 0:00:07- I'm Iolo Williams.
0:00:07 > 0:00:12- I've spent years studying wildlife - on land and in the air.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16- This time, - I'm venturing into a new world.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22- I'll be looking for creatures - I've never seen before.
0:00:27 > 0:00:32- I'm travelling to Australia - to dive under the sea...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- ..to see - one of our planet's treasures.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- This is the Great Barrier Reef.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- It extends over 1,000 miles - off the coast of northern Australia.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- But this important part - of our ecosystem...
0:01:01 > 0:01:03- ..is in danger.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- It's sad coming here - and seeing this happen.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- It could disappear...
0:01:14 > 0:01:15- ..in 80 years.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28- Will the children of the future - be able to enjoy this special place?
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- There was one animal who lives - on the Great Barrier Reef...
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- ..I wanted to see - more than any other.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08- I've come to this inner reef in - Lizard Island in the Coral Sea...
0:02:09 > 0:02:15- ..to dive with the underwater animal - we're more afraid of than any other.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- We're getting closer - to Lizard Island.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53- We're not far from the beach.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56- I don't think it'll be a deep dive.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- The reason we're here - is to try to see sharks...
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- ..especially - the blacktip reef shark.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07- When we went in, there were - one or two circling the boat.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- We're going in with them - in a minute so I hope we see more.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- People arrive on boats - as they're staying here.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- They throw food in - so the sharks are expecting food.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22- We're not going to feed them...
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- ..but we're going to go in with them - and enjoy them.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- If there's a good number of sharks, - it shows that the reef's healthy...
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- ..because they have enough fish - on which to feed.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- I hope to see a number - of these beautiful fish.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Immediately after diving in...
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- ..I can see sharks - in the reef shadows.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- On this side...
0:04:38 > 0:04:43- ..the blacktip sharks - are coming in for a look.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- They're circling.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47- They're pretty.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- The young ones, the pups...
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- ..live in the mangroves before - venturing out to the open sea.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- They don't travel far.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- They'll stay on the reef - around this island.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- They're usually wary of divers.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14- Their numbers have dropped - dramatically in recent years.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24- They move swiftly and gracefully - through the water.
0:05:31 > 0:05:37- The sharks are fond - of the reef around here.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- The blacktip reef shark - is a muscular fish...
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- ..with large eyes - with which to see the small fish...
0:05:54 > 0:05:56- ..especially at night.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02- The larger sharks, like the - bull shark, stay further out to sea.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- When some of the sharks - are circling...
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- ..you can see a fish - clinging to them.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- It's called a remora fish.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- It clings to the shark.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35- When the shark feeds, it rushes out - and eats small morsels of food...
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- ..which fall from the shark's mouth.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- It also gets a free lift.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- Can you see the remoras? - They're coming very close now.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13- The remora has a sucker - on the top of its head.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- Do you know - when you play bow and arrow...
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- ..and you lick the arrow - so it sticks to the glass?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- The remora is very similar.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- It sticks to the shark's body...
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- ..and is carried around.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- Can you see the marks - along its body?
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- They look like scratches.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- It's a female shark.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- It's mated.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- The male bites the female.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- It's not nasty. He nibbles.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- She has very thick skin.
0:07:56 > 0:08:02- It's far thicker than the male's - because of the biting during mating.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- 99 times out of a 100, - the sharks are fine.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- But you never know.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- Sometimes, things can go wrong.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- You can't trust them 100%.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54- Two of them together are becoming - more and more confident.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56- They're getting closer.
0:08:58 > 0:08:59- I'm unsure now.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- They're starting - some kind of feeding frenzy.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- Look at that shark - looking for its next lunch.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- They're so well designed.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- They're so beautiful - but so dangerous too.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18- That was worth it!
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- It reminded me - of being in a James Bond film.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- The one where James Bond - goes scuba diving...
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- ..and the shark circles him.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- It was just like that down there.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- There were five or six sharks...
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- ..coming closer and closer - and closer and closer.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- If they come straight at you - and look aggressive...
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- ..you have to stick your fins out - and give them a kick.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- But these were just circling, - seeing if we had any food.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- Then they just left us alone.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09- Sharks get a very bad press, - I think.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- To put it into - some sort of perspective...
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- ..millions of sharks are killed - across the world every year...
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- ..and around four people - are killed every year by sharks.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- That puts it into - some sort of perspective.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- They're incredible creatures.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- If you have a reef - with a good number of sharks...
0:11:30 > 0:11:32- ..it's a healthy reef.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- It's something - I've always wanted to do.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- I've done it. - It's a big tick on my list.
0:12:01 > 0:12:01- .
0:12:04 > 0:12:04- Subtitles
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- I'm travelling - along the Great Barrier Reef.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- I've reached Magnetic Island.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- Magnetic Island - is a paradise for wildlife...
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- ..as two thirds of the land - and water is a nature reserve.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57- I'm told there's a lovely reef here. - I'm going to take a look.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- Deeper down, - around the inner reef...
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- ..I saw some of the most - colourful fish I've ever seen.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53- There are fish all around me.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- Blue and yellow fusiliers, - and parrotfish of all colours.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- To think we're so close to the land.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- For someone who wants a taste - of the Great Barrier Reef...
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- ..without going too far, - this place is perfect.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- I'm about 50 yards from the beach - and there's so much life here.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42- But as I swam further down the - coast, I saw what I feared I'd see.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- There were far fewer fish here...
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- ..and signs - of extensive coral bleaching.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- I've come down about 200 yards...
0:15:07 > 0:15:13- ..and I've just come across - a wide area of bleached coral.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- There are some living parts. - They're purple, pink and yellow.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- They're lovely. Very pretty.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- They're deer horn coral. - They look like a witch's fingers.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30- To go over such a wide expanse - and for it all to be dead is so sad.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- I found it confusing...
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- ..seeing parts of the reef that - were so healthy and full of life...
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- ..while others close by - lay in ruins.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55- This devastation was caused - by a rise in the water temperature.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- My journey has been a mixed one - so far.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- I hope I'll learn more - about the reef's situation...
0:16:08 > 0:16:09- ..as I go further south.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- I'm on my way to a special part - of Magnetic Island called Fort.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48- This is where the Australian army - prepared defences against Japan...
0:16:48 > 0:16:49- ..during World War II.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- Today, very different residents - live here.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17- I'm at one of the highest parts - of Magnetic Island called Fort.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19- I'm looking for koalas.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- I've never seen any. - I've been to Australia once before.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- This is the place to look.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- Wait there a moment.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- There's a koala in the tree - over there.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- That's the first koala - I've ever seen.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- Well, well. It's quite low down too.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- I'm lucky to see one.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- That's the rainbow lorikeet - flying overhead.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- It's such a pretty bird.
0:17:50 > 0:17:56- Koalas don't go any further north. - This is the furthest they go.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- They're solitary animals. - They're not sociable.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- The male will fight other males.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- Of course, - they come together to mate.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- The only other time - you'll see two at once...
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- ..is when a mother's with its young.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- This one's in an eucalyptus tree, - which makes up most of their diet.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21- It's great seeing a koala, - so low down too during the day.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- They're very lazy.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- They sleep at least 20 hours a day.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- My son's the same!
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- They sleep for 20 hours a day - and eat.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- The reason for that is there's - hardly any nutrition in the leaves.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- They have to eat a lot then rest...
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- ..to let the stomach break down - the leaves to get the nutrients.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- That's why they sleep so much.
0:18:49 > 0:18:55- I'll try and go under the tree - so I can look at its face.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- It's busy eating the leaves.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- It's not taking any notice of me.
0:19:13 > 0:19:14- Great stuff.
0:19:17 > 0:19:18- Wonderful.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43- There's another one.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- It's fast asleep.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48- Yes, it's fast asleep.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- It's grabbed a branch - and fallen asleep.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- Poor thing.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55- Goodness me.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- They sleep for so long.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- Yes, it's just sleeping there.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- I think this one's a female.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07- I can't see clearly from here.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- The females - rarely venture down to the ground.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- They get the water they need - from the leaves.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- The larger males - sometimes need more water.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- If there's a watering hole - they'll come down.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- They prefer going from tree to tree.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- They'll often stay in one tree - for a day or two.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34- They sleep, grabbing in a branch, - feed and then sleep some more.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- I won't go under it. - I'll leave her be.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- She looks so contented - and so sleepy.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- She's tucked in. Sweetheart.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- What a place to finish my visit - to Magnetic Island...
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- ..right at the top.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- I can see most of the island, - the mainland...
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- ..and out there, the sea - and the Great Barrier Reef.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- It was nice to see a koala.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- I've always wanted to see one - and hadn't seen one before.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- I've also always wanted - to dive in the reef.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43- If I can dive and learn a bit more - about the reef...
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- ..I'll go home a very happy man.
0:22:04 > 0:22:04- .
0:22:06 > 0:22:06- Subtitles
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- I'm travelling - along the Great Barrier Reef.
0:22:27 > 0:22:32- After hearing it was under threat, - I wanted to find out how bad it was.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- I also wanted to see the wildlife - before it disappeared.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- I'm on my way to Ribbon Reef No.10.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20- I'm about to do - a very different dive.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25- I won't have to wear the large mask - as I won't be talking underwater.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30- We're going quite a bit deeper, - about 30 metres.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23- I'm diving down to look for a piece - of coral called the Monolith.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35- It's one of the largest - pieces of coral in the world.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- The Monolith - is a huge wall of coral.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- All sorts of wildlife - gather there to feed.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00- Initially, I saw hardly anything.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16- As I dived deeper, - I saw a shark lying in the sand...
0:25:17 > 0:25:19- ..looking for a fish to hunt.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22- It's a whitetip reef shark.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24- It's not usually dangerous.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32- Every time I dive, - I'm worried I'll see a dead reef.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- But every time, the reef amazes me - by how full of life it is.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- Beside me, a large potato cod...
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- ..with beautiful yellow fish - around it.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31- A sea turtle comes up to me.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40- Turtles, like sharks, - are built to live underwater.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44- But in contrast to sharks...
0:26:44 > 0:26:48- ..turtles have to go up to the - surface every so often to breathe.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37- At last, - I see a huge piece of coral.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40- The Monolith.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44- Like a huge garden full of coral.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50- It's hard to believe that this - huge reef started from one polyp...
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- ..or a needle-sized seed...
0:27:52 > 0:27:54- ..thousands of years ago.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- I was amazed - by the size of the Monolith...
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- ..like an underwater mountain...
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- ..and also - by the wildlife around it...
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- ..with colourful coral - growing all over.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20- The following morning...
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- ..we went to look at - what else the place had to offer.
0:29:32 > 0:29:38- I can wear the full facemask - for this dive as it's not too deep.
0:30:12 > 0:30:13- Look at that!
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- A pink anemonefish hiding.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21- The fish does this for safety...
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- ..to protect itself - from larger fish.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- Look at the size - of this large anemone.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35- Every now and then, - you'll see a fish poke its head out.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- There'll be many but they'll - all be from the same species...
0:30:40 > 0:30:42- ..the pink anemonefish.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45- Some of them are quite large.
0:30:46 > 0:30:47- Those are the females.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- There are slightly smaller ones, - the males.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54- Then there are the tiny ones.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58- They're neither male nor female.
0:30:59 > 0:31:04- What happens is the female - gives the male a hard time.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07- Its stress levels are high...
0:31:07 > 0:31:10- ..which keep it as a male.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14- Once she dies, - the male becomes the female...
0:31:15 > 0:31:19- ..and one of the tiny fish - becomes the male.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20- What a story!
0:31:47 > 0:31:50- Look at all the fish around here.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56- Every now and then, all the - small fish move quickly in unison.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- What that means - is a predatory fish has come in...
0:32:01 > 0:32:04- ..and tried to grab one of them.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- By staying together - and moving in unison...
0:32:07 > 0:32:11- ..they're doing their best - to avoid that large mouth.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05- These are interesting, - these blue creatures.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09- They disappear immediately.
0:33:10 > 0:33:16- They're Christmas tree worms.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20- A small part of their bodies - pokes out...
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- ..and they take food from the water.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27- If there's a threat, - someone like me...
0:33:28 > 0:33:29- ..this happens.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34- They disappear down a sort of tube - where they're totally safe.
0:33:41 > 0:33:46- By creating a tunnel in the coral, - the worms have a shelter.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50- It's a safe place for them - from the predatory fish.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18- I've had an incredible experience - diving on the Barrier Reef.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27- More importantly, I've felt - the thrill I dreamt I would.
0:34:30 > 0:34:35- What's worries me is if the pressure - on the reef gets too much.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47- A pressure created by us - and our way of life.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54- I've now dived many times - on the reef.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57- I've come to really enjoy the place.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02- I have admiration for it. - It's a living thing.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- But I have a love for it too.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- I've so enjoyed being underwater.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13- Every time I go down now, it's like - going to meet an old friend.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18- There are things we could all do...
0:35:19 > 0:35:20- ..big and small.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23- It's so important that we do them.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- If we don't start doing them now, - the reef may be gone.
0:35:38 > 0:35:39- .
0:35:40 > 0:35:40- Subtitles
0:35:40 > 0:35:42- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:36:02 > 0:36:05- The traditional owners - of the Great Barrier Reef...
0:36:05 > 0:36:08- ..are the native people, - the Aboriginals.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15- For over 60,000 years, - they had a unique culture.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- It was based on the reef.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29- It was a place for them to hunt...
0:36:30 > 0:36:33- ..and a spiritual place too - of sacred importance.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46- There's evidence that over 70 tribes - of the Islanders as they're known...
0:36:47 > 0:36:49- ..lived on islands around the reef.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01- In the trees behind me - is a very special cave.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05- In the cave - is the Aborigines' artwork.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08- I've heard a lot about this artwork.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12- I'm happy - that I'm going to see it now.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16- There's an interesting history - to the tribe, the Ngaros...
0:37:16 > 0:37:18- ..and to the landscape around me.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21- I'll tell you more - once I'm in the cave.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34- The caves are on the coast - near the Whitsundays.
0:38:19 > 0:38:20- Wow.
0:38:20 > 0:38:25- It's hard to believe - we're standing in a cave...
0:38:25 > 0:38:28- ..looking at artwork...
0:38:28 > 0:38:32- ..that dates back - around 9,000 years.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40- I don't know exactly - what the pictures are.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- Sea turtles perhaps or boats.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- Ngaro were the tribe who lived here.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52- A tribe called Ngaro.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55- They came from the mainland.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58- They hunted in the forest - around here.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- They hunted mostly on land.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04- Then, around 3,000 years ago...
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- ..the sea level rose here.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- Their diet - then changed quite dramatically.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- This place was an island.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18- The Ngaro changed - from being a mainland tribe...
0:39:18 > 0:39:20- ..to being an island tribe.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23- They lived on islands on the reef.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- Then, unfortunately, - the white man arrived.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37- They lived side by side - for a little while.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40- Then, the white man - started to fell the trees.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44- The Ngaro were vehemently opposed - to that.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- This was a place where they hunted, - where they lived.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49- There was a battle.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- The Ngaro won.
0:39:52 > 0:39:58- Then, the white people - asked them to come to a meeting...
0:39:58 > 0:39:59- ..to discuss peace.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- In that meeting, - they killed almost all of them.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06- There are none of them left today.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14- I have a shiver down my spine - coming to a place like this...
0:40:15 > 0:40:18- ..knowing that my feet - are standing...
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- ..where the Ngaro stood - 9,000 years ago.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25- It's a very odd feeling.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28- It also leaves - a bad taste in the mouth...
0:40:28 > 0:40:32- ..thinking what the white man - did to them, killing them all.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36- But the white man did that - all over the world.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- I wanted to find out more...
0:40:58 > 0:41:03- ..about native tribes' connection - with the Great Barrier Reef...
0:41:04 > 0:41:08- ..and what we can learn - if we're to save the place today.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14- Descendants of the tribe - still live in the area.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- I went to meet one of them, - a man called Jay.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- He still lives on the coast - near the reef.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50- This is where your ancestors - would've lived.
0:41:50 > 0:41:51- Absolutely.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54- This is one of the greeting spots.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59- Some of my people - from the mainland would come over...
0:41:59 > 0:42:03- ..and discuss what to hunt, where - to go and how to camp on the island.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07- In many different areas - of the island as well.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- There's a lot of us - communing back to nature...
0:42:10 > 0:42:14- ..back to K'Gari, - my ancestral word for Fraser Island.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15- It's what, sorry?
0:42:15 > 0:42:17- It's what, sorry?- - K'Gari.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19- We should be calling this K'Gari.
0:42:19 > 0:42:20- We should be calling this K'Gari.- - K'Gari Island!
0:42:20 > 0:42:20- We should be calling this K'Gari.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22- Either way!
0:42:22 > 0:42:26- These trees are amazing. There are - only one or two I recognize.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29- Some of these I don't. - This is a pine of some sort.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31- It's what we call a scarred tree.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35- My people called it kambai. - It's a canoe-creating tree.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39- What you're holding there - is the canoe itself.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41- If you come round this side.
0:42:43 > 0:42:44- Have a look here.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46- The big canoe shape? Yeah?
0:42:46 > 0:42:49- My people used to carve - the canoe shape in the tree.
0:42:50 > 0:42:55- Over time, the tree would grow out - and they'd carve it again...
0:42:55 > 0:42:58- ..and it'd keep growing out - to make it deeper and wider.
0:42:58 > 0:43:03- There's your canoe, leaving the tree - intact and ready to go again.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07- They also made shields as well - but this was mainly a canoe tree.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09- That is fantastic.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13- So that suggests to me that the sea - and reef were important to them.
0:43:14 > 0:43:15- Most definitely.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19- My people's totem - is the bottlenose dolphin.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23- It represents the tribe's signature - on the Great Sandy Strait.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28- It's a beautiful hunting ground - where my people roamed quite a bit.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31- It was an amazing place - where they fished.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34- They hunted for dugong and turtles.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36- Can we have a look by the beach?
0:43:36 > 0:43:37- Can we have a look by the beach?- - Please. Absolutely.
0:43:45 > 0:43:50- I consider my people to be more - sea and land nomads. A bit of both.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53- Even though they lived - on the coastal side.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57- This is their buffet, - what we're looking at...
0:43:58 > 0:43:59- ..which is quite good.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08- So, the fact that your people...
0:44:08 > 0:44:13- ..would go to great lengths - to build seaworthy canoes...
0:44:13 > 0:44:18- ..would suggest that they would - spend quite a bit of their time...
0:44:18 > 0:44:21- ..out on the sea - and heading out to the reef.
0:44:22 > 0:44:23- Absolutely.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25- At certain times of the year...
0:44:26 > 0:44:30- ..we'd get a lot of trevallies - being caught on the island.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33- That's where a lot - of the neighbouring tribes...
0:44:34 > 0:44:36- ..would come over - and join our tribe...
0:44:36 > 0:44:39- ..for a sort of - hunting and fishing festival.
0:44:39 > 0:44:41- Which is great!
0:44:41 > 0:44:44- It's amazing to think - that in little canoes...
0:44:45 > 0:44:46- ..they'd have gone all the way out.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48- ..they'd have gone all the way out.- - Right around the whole vicinity.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59- Would the reef - have been sacred to them in any way?
0:45:00 > 0:45:04- Absolutely. They treated it - with the utmost respect as well.
0:45:04 > 0:45:06- That's bar none.
0:45:06 > 0:45:10- They tried to utilize - everything possible...
0:45:11 > 0:45:13- ..to try - and make their tribe work...
0:45:13 > 0:45:17- ..while not overindulging - in overhunting the whole area.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21- There's enough food to go around. - That's very important.
0:45:22 > 0:45:26- If you have more, you share. It's - a big quality that's been passed on.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30- Even to today's society, - it's still the same.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34- If only we, the white people here, - had adopted your attitude...
0:45:35 > 0:45:39- ..towards the reef, the islands - and the natural world...
0:45:39 > 0:45:42- ..we'd be - in a much better place now.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56- It was very interesting - chatting with Jay...
0:45:57 > 0:46:00- ..and hearing his - and his forefathers' thoughts...
0:46:00 > 0:46:04- ..not only about the island - but about the reef too.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13- An important part - of their thinking...
0:46:13 > 0:46:17- ..was the fact they didn't take - too much of something.
0:46:17 > 0:46:21- They took enough, - they shared with everyone...
0:46:21 > 0:46:23- ..but they made sure - they left plenty.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27- They want to return here - and live with nature.
0:46:28 > 0:46:32- That's the big difference between - them and us, the white people.
0:46:33 > 0:46:38- They made sure that they lived - with nature, alongside nature.
0:46:38 > 0:46:40- They respected nature.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44- We seem to come in and want - to conquer nature every time.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53- The respect for the reef itself - was obvious.
0:46:53 > 0:46:56- The reef supplied them with food - and a living...
0:46:56 > 0:46:58- ..as the reef does today.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01- It's a source of food - and brings tourists and money.
0:47:08 > 0:47:12- If we'd only learnt from - the Aborigines from the start...
0:47:13 > 0:47:15- ..the reef - would be in a far better state.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:48:07 > 0:48:08