march 2024 news
We are thrilled to announce in collaboration with the Kelp Forest Alliance and CSIRO, we have just launched an exciting new Google Arts & Culture page introducing the Great Southern Reef and kelp to a global audience. The page is also accompanied by a lesson plan which can be downloaded here.
Tune into Saltwater Country
Meet Emma Robertson, a proud Palawa woman, artist, and cultural practitioner who recently collaborated with us at the Great Southern Reef Foundation on a Google Arts and Culture feature. This story, complemented by audio narration, delves into the profound connections the Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples have with kelp in the Great Southern Reef, showcasing the intertwined relationship between culture and nature.
Emma's story introduces and describes the symbiotic relationship between her people and the kelp forests in Tasmania, and the importance of our “connection to sea country for our own physical, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural wellbeing.”
Google Collaboration
Google Australia and Google Research have teamed up with CSIRO, IMAS, The Nature Conservancy, Great Southern Reef Foundation and Kelp Forest Alliance to study and restore giant kelp using AI and raise awareness of the GSR. Read the Google Blog.
At a media event in Hobart last month, GSRF's Scott Bennett guided media and influential creators to showcase not only the restoration efforts but also shine a light on the broader Great Southern Reef. Read an article by Australian Geographic.
Image: Eileen Lee
Rare Find: Frilled Pygmy Octopus
One of the magical things about diving the Great Southern Reef is you just never know what might turn up on a dive. In an exciting find for octopus enthusiasts, Emily May came across this Frilled Pygmy Octopus on a dive in Port Phillip Bay.
After contacting with the Museum of Victoria, it was confirmed this was the first ever live footage of a wild individual.
Image: Emily May
Doing it for the data
Reef Life Survey teams in SA and Vic have conducted surveys at 14 survey sites across the Great Southern Reef. The team in SA returned to the Fleurieu Peninsula to continue their ongoing monitoring of marine biodiversity within the Encounter Marine Park, gathering data to help detect change. Meanwhile, the Victorian RLS team revisited long-term monitoring sites at Port Phillip Bay, continuing some of the longest-running reef surveys in the world. Read more.
Image: Toni Cooper
New Podcast Alert!
Immerse yourself into the captivating world of marine science with the new podcast series, "Seaweed People," delivering fortnightly episodes that explore the intersection of seaweed research, conservation, technology, art, and culture.
Hosted by Jess Hamilton, the podcast promises to engage listeners with accessible discussions from the forefront of marine science and conservation. Stay tuned for new episodes every other week featuring esteemed guests like Dr. Adriana Verges, Dr. Pia Winberg, Scott Bennett, Rhiannon Mitchell, and Lichen Kelp.
Take a listen to the first episode with Dr. Catriona Hurd now, visit Spotify.
New Film: Reef Reflections
After a huge turnout to the film screening event of Reef Reflections in Perth last month, we are thrilled to announce the film is now available to stream online. Thanks to everyone that came out to the event as well as our friends at Save Our Marine Life for collaborating with us on this project.
Watch Reef Reflections Now: Explore Western Australia's South Coast through the stories of surf photographer Jarvis Smallman, sea dragon expert Craig Lebens, diver Karen Milligan, spearfisher Jake Poad and ex ablaone fisher Marc Payne, each sharing their unique bond with the Great Southern Reef.
WA’s South South Coast Marine Park
The West Australian government has just released draft plans to create a new South Coast Marine Park and they’re asking for your feedback. This will be the first marine park along WA's south coast, filling a key gap across the Great Southern Reef’s marine reserve system.
This is your opportunity to have a say. We encourage people to take a look at the plans and get involved in this important part of the process by sharing your input. Submissions can be made on the management plans and zoning schemes on the DBCA website.
Warmer Seas, Tastier Kelp
Could “cooking kelp” be even tastier to tropical species moving further south?
In January, GSR researchers published a paper that shows that marine heatwaves have a very strong impact on ecklonia radiata (aka Golden Kelp) microbes, which in turn coincides with this kelp being more “palatable” to sea urchins, specifically the tropical species Tripneustes gratilla.
Interestingly, in contrast, the microbes on other seaweeds like Sargassum are not affected by marine heatwaves. But the data suggests that microbes may be playing an important role in mediating how kelp and urchins interact under stressful conditions (like a marine heatwave). Click here to read the paper and learn more.
Lessonia’s Thermal Limits
In more seaweed heat stress news, a new study has exposed the alarming vulnerabilities of the Tasmanian kelp, Lessonia corrugata, as it faces unprecedented challenges due to rising ocean temperatures.
This research underscores the critical thermal thresholds that dictate the survival and thriving of this kelp, with a thermal optimum for growth pinpointed around 16°C and a critical maximum limit between 22-23°C. The study meticulously explores how the kelp's growth and photosynthesis rates escalate with temperature up to an optimal point, beyond which they experience a steep decline, indicating thermal stress - triggering physiological and biochemical changes detrimental to the kelp.
The findings emphasise the urgent need for strategies to protect such vulnerable marine species amidst the escalating challenges of climate change and marine heatwaves. Read the full paper here.
Image: Hunter Forbes
GSR FAQs
In a new addition to our website, we have added a Frequently Asked Questions page. We're keen to continue adding to this, so if you have a question that's not answered, there's a section at the bottom of the page to submit your own.
Tassie Events
Join Environment Tasmania for a vital discussion on the "Decline of Our Ocean Health." This community forum brings together concerned individuals, First Nations Tasmanians, fishers, policy experts and scientists to address the pressing challenges facing our oceans.
Guest speakers, including GSRF cofounder Dr Scott Bennett, Aboriginal Artist and Climate Researcher Dean Greeno (from our film Sea Country), Evie Simpson from the Australia Institute, Bridge de Lange from Total Dive Solutions and John Stanfield from Recfishtas, will shed light on issues impacting our marine ecosystems. Get your free ticket here.
Environment Tasmania is also teaming up with IMAS and the Tasmanian Abalone Council to put on a community event supporting an enlightening discussion on the pressing issue of long-spined sea urchins and their impact on Tasmania's east coast reefs. Book your free ticket here.
Attention Teachers
It's SeaWeek! To celebrate, creativity queen Cristy Burne has put together a blog featuring free, ocean-themed resources. Cristy is also the author of a new book 'Into The Blue' aimed for years 3-6.
Set on the Omeo wreck on Perth’s Coogee Beach, the story is about responsibility, procrastination and the power of owning your mistakes.
Kilometres for Kelp
Swimmers and runners, we're thrilled to announce our collaboration with Grassrootz, Australia's top fundraising platform, offering you a unique lane to champion the Great Southern Reef.
If you are interested in an easy and fun way to contribute to our initiatives, power our outreach and make a tangible difference in the future of the Great Southern Reef then check out the list of events below. Or, if there is another event that you would like to participate in, please let us know!
Port to Pub Rottnest March 2024
Hobart Airport Marathon April 2024
Mornington Run Festival April 2024
Explore more of the Great Southern Reef
People
Impactful people with a close connection to the Great Southern Reef.
Places
Feature locations along the Great Southern Reef.
Marine Life
The weird and wonderful creatures found along the Great Southern Reef.