DAMAGE from illegal fishing at Flat Rock, off Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, would be included in findings from one of the largest marine studies conducted in Moreton Bay.
Volunteer divers from UniDive, the University of Queensland's Underwater Club, will study changes in plant and animal life at Shag Rock, Flat Rock and Manta Bombie over the past 13 years. UniDive's Lachlan Pollard said the Point Lookout Ecological Assessment project would run until late October.
He said since the first study in 2001, marine activities had increased and Flat Rock was listed as a protected zone.
"Boat moorings have been placed off the Point to reduce anchor damage but, the population has grown as well," he said.
"Since then, all reefs were exposed by potential effects of large scale weather events such as the 2011 floods."
The survey will use data from about 400 dives over five weekends., and was partly funded by a Redland City Council grant. Results are due by the end of 2014.
