The Great Barrier Reef’s kaleidoscope of light, colour, shapes and textures is the star of a new exhibition at the Museum of Tropical Queensland.

Colour: Secret Language of the Reef, funded by BHP Billiton Cannington, was opened last week by the Honourable Ian Walker, Minister for Science, Innovation, Information Technology and the Arts.

“Colour: Secret Language of the Reef explores how coral and marine creatures on the Great Barrier Reef communicate through a hidden language and how scientists have managed to decipher it,” Mr Walker said.

“The Reef invests millions of dollars into the Queensland economy and has a huge impact on tourism, one of the Queensland Government’s four economic pillars.

“After decades of research, scientists have a good understanding of the Great Barrier Reef’s changing kaleidoscope of colour.  Today we know it can indicate the health of the reef, warn of danger, promise partnership and assist in deception and concealment,” he said.

BHP Billiton Cannington Asset President, Laura Tyler, said the Company was proud to work with the Queensland Museum Network to share ground-breaking reef research and internationally-significant collections with local North Queensland communities.

“The Great Barrier Reef is synonymous with the North Queensland region and the more than one million people who live along its coastline,” Ms Tyler said.

“This exhibition showcases its beauty and significance. Ultimately, it is hoped that by understanding more about the Great Barrier Reef, visitors and residents alike will place greater importance on its protection and conservation.”

Museum of Tropical Queensland Director Peter McLeod said Colour: Secret Language of the Reef was an exciting permanent exhibition where visitors could explore different aspects of the Great Barrier Reef environment in a hands-on, fun and educational way.

“Colour: Secret Language of the Reef gives us the opportunity to interpret modern marine science using modern technology, as well as giving us a platform to showcase some of the museum’s own internationally renowned coral research and collections,” Mr McLeod said.

“Many reef creatures such as Mantis Shrimp which reflect polarised light from their bodies use colour and light in ways we are only just beginning to understand to flash secret signals that we will never see without the help of advanced technology.

“One of the high-tech interactive stations in Colour: Secret Language of the Reef allows visitors to ‘see’ the reef in the same way as Mantis Shrimps and other reef creatures which have multi-spectral sight and can see more types of light than we can.”

Mr McLeod said the exhibition opening represented the second stage of a successful, long-term partnership with BHP Billiton Cannington, following the 2013 launch of the superbly illustrated The Great Barrier Reef: A Queensland Museum Discovery Guide.

BHP Billiton Cannington’s support of this exhibition underlines its dedication to educating the wider community about the remarkable natural resource that is the Great Barrier Reef, and how we can all work to preserve its wonder for future generations.

Visit mtq.qm.qld.gov.au for more information.