Hook Island

Dive site

Sculpture - Manta Ray (Whitsundays)

The indigenous name for Manta Ray is Manguna. Common name "Manta" is Portuguese and Spanish for mantle (cloak or blanket). Adriaan collaborated with traditional owner Arthur Gabey to fashion a surface design with a traditional Ngaro theme of a dreamtime story. The design includes 74 different sized circles which represent the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. There is a serpent on the Manta Ray's wings and its "U" shapes are the Aboriginal symbol for people. Mantas are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Areas where Mantas congregate are popular with SCUBA diving and snorkelling tourists. By Adriaan Vanderlugt in collaboration with Arthur Gabey. More information [Whitsunday Reef Recovery Project](/map_data/artefacts/diving-whitsunday-reef-recovery-art-project.pdf).

Dive site

Sculpture - Migration of the Mantas (Whitsundays)

Mantas are found in warm temperate, subtropical and tropical waters. They are pelagic (surface dwelling) species. Mantas have triangular pectoral fins, horn-shaped cephalic fins and a large, forward-facing mouth. Mantas may visit cleaning stations for the removal of parasites. Like whales, they breach for unknown reasons. Brian collaborated with traditional owner Nicky Bidu Prior to emboss a traditional pattern. If you're lucky enough to spot a Manta on the Reef and snap a photo of its underbelly, email your picture to Eye on the Reef and \or Project Manta to contribute to their ongoing research and monitoring program. By Brian Robinson in collaboration with Nicky Bidju Pryor. More information [Whitsunday Reef Recovery Project](/map_data/artefacts/diving-whitsunday-reef-recovery-art-project.pdf).

Dive site

Sculpture - Turtle Dream (Whitsundays)

Turtle Dream is a Hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, a critically endangered species. Hawksbill turtles are easily distinguished from other sea turtles by their sharp curving beak, and the saw-like appearance of its shell margins. The Ngaro indigenous name for Hawksbill turtle is Maeyila. The sculpture is created from 800 individual pieces that were hand shaped, welded and polished by the artist and his son Colin. The Artist feels this work is a pinnacle of his long public art career, symbolising the passion that many people have for the reef, marine species, oceans and planet. By Col Henry. More information [Whitsunday Reef Recovery Project](/map_data/artefacts/diving-whitsunday-reef-recovery-art-project.pdf).