Heron Island Research Station (HIRS) is part of the Faculty of Science at The University of Queensland. It is located on a small coral cay 80 km offshore from Gladstone and has been established for over 60 years. It has developed into Australia's largest, best equipped and most productive university-owned marine research station. The station caters to Australian and international researchers and educational groups, offering modern wet and dry laboratories, indoor and outdoor aquaria, a large animal holding tank, separate research and teaching laboratories, seminar facilities, a library, computer room and extensive boating and diving facilities. A team of ten staff members are available to provide scientific services, boating, diving, maintenance and housekeeping support. The Station operat