A Townsville primary school's world-famous nemo nursery has undergone a major expansion, cementing its status as the world's only primary school to run a successful clownfish breeding program.
The upgrade to Belgian Gardens State School's "Reef BG" aquarium will significantly boost the
school's capacity to breed and raise ethically sourced clownfish.
Primary students aged 5 to 11 are given an unparalleled, real-world experience in aquaculture and marine conservation while directly supporting the health of the Great Barrier Reef.
- Belgian Gardens State School's STEM Coordinator Brett Murphy said the aquarium expansion is a game-changer.
- "Reef BG has been an essential and vibrant learning space for our students," Mr Murphy said.
"We've had the clownfish breeding program operating for the past 13 years.
"Our students aren't just reading about habitats and food chains - they are actively managing world-class conservation projects.
"Our motto at school is "every clownfish we breed, and trade is one less taken from the Reef".
Belgian Gardens State School is part of the Reef Guardian School program, an initiative of the Reef Authority, where tens of thousands of students in Australia and overseas learn to become stewards of the Great Barrier Reef.
- Reef Authority Assistant Director of Reef Education Liz Hickman said the school is an exemplary Reef Guardian School.
- "Belgian Gardens State School has proudly been a Reef Guardian School with Mr Brett Murphy as the Reef Guardian School teacher for 20 years," Ms Hickman said.
"We've been privileged to work alongside Mr Murphy, who consistently inspires his students to care and learn about the Great Barrier Reef, take action and share knowledge as the next generation of Reef stewards.
"We applaud the school's dedication to embedding conservation and hands on learning into the daily curriculum."
In addition to clownfish breeding, Reef BG is used for core science lessons across the school, supporting student learning about habitats, adaptations, and food chains through real, living ecosystems.
The expansion brings 15 new tanks - eight of those dedicated to clownfish breeding - for a total of 35 tanks to Reef BG.
The breeding program currently manages eight pairs of clownfish, including fifth-generation black and white ocellaris, maroon clowns, percula clownfish, and a platinum clownfish pair. The school is currently home to about 95 baby clownfish in various stages of development.
"In the past we have sold 50 clownfish to a wholesale distributor, and they went across Australia," Mr Murphy said.
"Generally, we trade six or so fish at a time to local pet shops and in return we receive store credit. This money is used to purchase food and equipment."
The expansion was made possible thanks to funding through the Department of Education's Sustainable Facilities Grant, supplemented by generous financial support from the school's P&C Association and the Townsville community.
