September 2025
The Senate inquiry into South Australia’s harmful algal bloom has begun.
This week scientists, health experts, and community representatives, including GSRF, presented evidence on the scale of the disaster including the impacts on fisheries, health, tourism, and biodiversity.
The Great Southern Reef harmful algal bloom delegation.
This follows a recent visit to Canberra where scientists, mayors, seafood, and tourism representatives met with the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and senior ministers.
The delegation's scientists called for an immediate $6 million, two-year investment to deliver the framework to conduct the Great Southern Reef’s first cross-state biodiversity health check - the essential first step towards a proposed $40 million, 10-year national monitoring program.
Senator Larissa Waters, Professor Charlie Huveneers, Stefan Andrews, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Dr Georgina Wood.
The visit also included a well-attended meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of the Great Southern Reef group. Thanks to co-chairs Rebekha Sharkie MP and Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, both consistent champions of the Reef in Parliament, for hosting the event.
This group, also co-chaired by Hon Darren Chester MP and Mr Josh Wilson MP, was established last year with the support of 17 Members of Parliament to create a non-partisan forum where parliamentarians can connect with scientists, fishers, seafood processors, conservationists, cultural groups, and others on issues central to the Reef’s environmental, cultural, and economic importance.
Now Tax-Deductible: Monthly Supporter Program
We’re pleased to share that the Foundation has just been granted Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, and to celebrate we’ve just launched our Monthly Supporter program. All donations over $2 are now tax-deductible in Australia. By joining, you’ll be helping to fuel our work while receiving a few special perks along the way.
Friend (Recognition on our website, GSRF sticker plus digital supporter badge you can share online, exclusive quarterly updates featuring stories, photos, and behind-the-scenes insights) – $20/month
Champion (As above plus exclusive invites to private online Q&As with filmmakers and scientists) – $50/month
Guardian (As above plus be acknowledged in film credits, receive priority invites to screenings and impact events) – $100/month
If monthly giving isn’t for you, a single donation still goes a long way.
Emergency Action for Giant Cuttlefish
In an unprecedented move, a 200-metre by 100-metre bubble curtain has been installed in South Australia’s Spencer Gulf to help protect giant cuttlefish eggs and hatchlings from the harmful algal bloom.
The bubble curtain, powered by land-based compressors, creates a wall of air designed to disrupt algae and shield about 50,000 – 80,000 eggs. The technology has been trialled in Western Australia but never before in South Australia or at this scale.
Cartoon by First Dog on the Moon, published in The Guardian.
Keen to find out more? Listen to Dr. Zoe Doubleday speak with ABC on the bubble curtains which have just been installed at Pt. Lowly.
White Rock Doco Expands Impact
Our White Rock impact campaign continues to build momentum through schools, festivals, and community events. Since the last newsletter, screenings have reached audiences from Broulee and Manly in NSW, to Hobart, Bicheno, and Franklin in Tasmania, Port Augusta and Kangaroo Island in SA, and as far as Geelong, Warrnambool, and Ocean Grove in Victoria.
White Rock screening with Kangaroo Island Providore at the Kingscote Airport.
Each event sparks important conversations about the urchin crisis and the future of the Great Southern Reef, connecting local communities directly with the science and stories behind the film. We now also have a growing number of supporters signing on to the urchin task force, strengthening our conversations with leaders and decision-makers.
White Rock has also been screened in selected classrooms across the country predominantly reaching students across Years 9–12. Teachers reported using the film to spark discussions on climate change, ecosystem collapse, kelp forests, and of course urchin barrens. Some trialled our draft teaching resources, adapting them into class discussions, written reflections, and research projects.
The Surprising Role of Sea Squirts on Warming Reefs
Meet the humble ascidian, a.k.a. sea squirt. These bizarre looking animals are marine filter-feeders and are also the most closely related invertebrates to humans. Water flows through their tube-like bodies as they trap plankton.
One species, Herdmania grandis is a standout. Growing up to 16 cm, it occurs all around Australia including the Great Southern Reef, from reefs to jetties. Its tough outer tunic and sharp internal spicules make it hardy, yet it often disappears into the background, overgrown with turf algae, sponges, or other encrusting life. New research suggests Herdmania grandis could alter the role of reefs in a warming ocean.
On reefs in the Solitary Islands of NSW, once dominated by carbon-capturing kelp forests, this humble ascidian has increased more than fourfold in just two decades as kelp declined.
Why does this matter? The microbes that live in H. grandis produce nitrous oxide (N₂O), a greenhouse gas about 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide and also harmful to the ozone layer. In NSW’s Solitary Islands, Herdmania-dominated reefs produced N₂O at rates up to 400 times higher per square metre than nearby marine sediments, and on par with local estuaries, ecosystems already recognised as major global N₂O sources. Lab experiments showed emissions were greater under summer-like temperatures than in winter, showing that warming seas can directly drive changes.
As warming and tropicalisation continue, temperate reefs lose kelp as warm-affinity species move in. Tropical herbivorous fishes can suppress kelp recovery, opening space for animals like ascidians to take over. When N₂O-producing species such as Herdmania grandis dominate, reefs that once captured carbon could shift toward being local net greenhouse gas sources.
The authors highlight that emissions from reef animals like ascidians shouldn’t be ignored. If they’re producing greenhouse gases at scale, they need to be measured and factored into climate and reef management plans. That means monitoring which species take over as kelp declines, linking kelp restoration to climate outcomes, and directly measuring how much nitrous oxide escapes from ascidian-dominated reefs.
Sea Country Change: Turban Snails Shift South
New research led by malacologist Dr Matt Nimbs has revealed that turban snails (Gugumbal), long harvested across Sea Country, are already shifting south as ocean waters warm. Historically, Gugumbal were not only an important food source but their shells were also ground and shaped into strong fish hooks, making them central to both diet and technology on Sea Country.
The study, published in Austral Ecology, modelled three conspicuous Gugumbal species across multiple climate scenarios. The results show a clear pattern: range contractions in southern Queensland, and new populations appearing further south. The team also tested their models against reality, training them on historical records (1990s–2010) and comparing predictions with the observed southward shift of Turbo militaris over the past two decades. The close match strengthened confidence that these models can forecast future shifts under climate change.
One striking example is the “military turban” (Turbo militaris). Traditionally found between the Sunshine Coast and Sydney, it has now been consistently recorded about 120 km further south at Jervis Bay, NSW. “It’s a pretty concrete story of change,” Nimbs explained. “These animals weren’t permanently there in the historical record before 2010, and now they mostly are.”
Unlike sea urchins, turban snails aren’t expected to create “barrens” by overgrazing. Instead, their arrival in new areas may alter competition among grazers and food webs, while predators like octopus and stingrays may have access to a new prey source.
As warming continues, Gugumbal’s sliding range is a signal of what’s ahead for many molluscs across the Great Southern Reef. Beyond gradual warming, Nimbs pointed to the impact of marine heatwave pulses - short bursts of extreme warm water that may wipe out mollusc populations. These events may have already triggered dramatic declines in other species and are likely accelerating the southward shifts we are now seeing.
PhD Opportunity: safeguarding Australia’s seaweed genetics
Are you passionate about marine ecology and conservation? Want to learn cutting-edge genomic tools to enhance adaptation to climate change?
Applications invited for a motivated candidate in marine ecology, conservation and genomics. Your research will help protect genetic diversity in iconic intertidal and subtidal seaweeds and build resilience to climate change. The project can be shore based or include a core field component. To learn more contact Dr Georgina Wood george.wood@flinders.edu.au.
Celebrating Leaders in Temperate Reef Science
We’re pleased to share that GSR Science Committee Members Professor Thomas Wernberg and Professor Sean Connell have been honoured with the 2025 ITRS Award for ‘Life-long Service and Contributions to Marine Science’ from the International Temperate Reefs Community. This recognition highlights their decades of leadership and lasting impact on temperate reef science globally.
We also want to congratulate Dr Aaron Eger, awarded the Emerging Leader in Science Eureka Award for his work on the protection and restoration of kelp forests. Recognition also goes to the Living Seawalls team, winners of the Environmental Research Eureka Award for their groundbreaking work in urban marine habitat restoration. These national awards highlight the growing impact of temperate reef science and innovation in shaping more resilient marine ecosystems.
Feature Creator: Dominic Buyers
Over the past four years, countless dives and an ever-present camera has allowed Dominic Buyers to document the Great Southern Reef and the life it supports. By returning often, Dominic has come to recognise seasonal changes in its flora and fauna, deepening his understanding of the reef’s rhythms [read more].
Through the Ask an Expert platform, you can submit questions about climate change and seafood, from species impacts to adaptation strategies, and have them answered by researchers, industry specialists, or Indigenous knowledge holders. You can also browse the growing Q&A database or register as an expert yourself, connecting with others and helping build climate resilience across the sector.
"Connection and authenticity matter more than perfection. Through photography, I hope to bridge the gap and bring more people into caring for the reef.”
— Dominic Buyers
Southern Bloom Mural
The Great Southern Reef Foundation has proudly supported environmental artist Patrick Hunter aka @InkHunterArtist to create a new mural 'Southern Bloom' . Thanks to all the Marion Bay locals who rallied behind Pat and the project.
The piece highlights what’s at stake as South Australia’s algae disaster continues to devastate marine life, urging Federal action to protect threatened species, support coastal communities and long term monitoring for the GSR. With threatened species assessments now moving ahead, the real challenge is turning them into action. Iconic and vulnerable species like seadragons need dedicated funding and protections on the ground so recovery isn’t delayed.
On the Yorke Peninsula, a striking mural now stands as a symbol of community strength and concern.
Sapphire Dinner support for the reef
We’re proud to share that the Great Southern Reef Foundation was a beneficiary of this year’s Sapphire Dinner, a philanthropic event raising funds for conservation and education initiatives. The evening brought together supporters committed to ocean health, with proceeds helping us expand our outreach, education, and advocacy work across the Great Southern Reef. A big thank you to the organisers and donors for their generous support.
GSRF Creative Director Stefan Andrews & Executive Director Sahira Bell
1% For the Planet Contributor
We’re excited to welcome Floating Solutions Consulting (FSC) as a new supporter through 1% for the Planet. FSC is an independent consultancy of marine engineers working across the energy, commercial, and defence sectors, with a strong focus on sustainability.
"GSRF ticks all the boxes for us - operating locally, advocating for marine ecosystems and creating community benefits,”
— Claus Steinenböhmer, Senior Naval Architect at FSC.
Thank You for Supporting the Reef
Thanks for making it all the way to the bottom of our newsletter and for your ongoing support of the Great Southern Reef Foundation. We rely on the generosity of individuals and organisations to power our outreach, education, and restoration work. Click the link below to make a single donate today or consider becoming a GSR Friend, Champion or Guardian through our new monthly supporter program.
more gsr news
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APRIL 2025
White Rock hits the road! With a sold-out Hobart launch, our Em-urchin-cy Tour is officially underway. Dive into updates on school resources, lobster recovery, sea lion science, climate-fuelled fish kills, and citizen-powered species tracking. Plus, new research reveals not all reef species are heading south. Let’s get into it.
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FEBRUARY 2025
Welcome to the February 2025 Newsletter. Packed with exciting updates, inspiring stories, and opportunities to get involved, this edition has something for everyone passionate about the Great Southern Reef.
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January 2025 news
Packed with exciting updates, inspiring stories, and opportunities to get involved, this edition has something for everyone passionate about the Great Southern Reef.
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december 2024
This issue includes an exclusive look at our collaboration with artist Amok Island, spotlighting a spectacular limited edition print featuring iconic GSR species.
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november 2024
In this issue, we celebrate the long-awaited launch of WA’s South Coast Marine Park, share important updates on the South-east Marine Park Draft Management Plan, and dive into research exploring cancer-fighting compounds in temperate sponges.
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October 2024
In this issue, we celebrate the launch of our new Teacher’s Guide for Ocean Literacy, share major milestones from Project Restore, and highlight recent developments in kelp restoration across Australia.
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september 2024
This month, we're offering a sneak peek into one of the Great Southern Reef’s most unique environments - Bathurst Channel. Plus and an exciting opportunity for teachers to trial some new school resources.
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august 2024
Exciting updates from from the final days of filming our urchin documentary White Rock, to the latest research, sealion mounted camera footage and insights from our GSR Research Partnership meeting in Hobart.
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july 2024
This month we are thrilled to share with you Sea Country stories, spider crab science, monitoring updates plus a sneak peek of our new documentary White Rock.
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june 2024
In this month's issue and to celebrate the arrival of the Southern Right whales, we're thrilled to announce the release of our new film, Eye to Eye.
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may 2024
In this issue, we explore some urgent challenges facing the GSR as well as highlight promising developments and opportunities to get actively involved in caring for our precious kelp forests.
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The longspined sea urchin is native to New South Wales and eastern Victoria. But in 1978 the first animal was detected in Tasmania where it has since increased dramatically in numbers. The urchin arrived in Tasmania due to changes in ocean climate and ocean current conditions, specifically an increase in strength of the East Australian Current.
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White Rock is a 45-minute documentary uncovering an overlooked impact of the climate crisis: the explosion of longspined sea urchins which are devastating Australia's kelp forests. With stunning visuals and impactful storytelling, the film captures the urgent threat to these ecosystems and presents tangible solutions to save them.
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Looking to deepen your knowledge on the rich biodiversity found in Australia's temperate reefs? This space is designed for you.
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Australian researchers are working at the global forefront of marine habitat restoration, with projects underway in every state along the Great Southern Reef. Habitat restoration is a resource intensive exercise used as a last resort for areas where vital habitats have been lost or are in decline and natural recovery is not occurring. Currently there are active restoration projects on the GSR working to restore seaweeds, seagrasses, and oyster reefs.
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Every month, we feature a creator from around the Great Southern Reef (GSR), showcasing their unique connection, creative expression, and passion for this extraordinary marine ecosystem. Through photography, art, storytelling, and film, these creators highlight the reef’s beauty, biodiversity, and the critical challenges it faces.
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What is the Great Southern Reef? What is unique about it? and how is climate change affecting it? Find out answers to these questions and more in our FAQ page.
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Associate Professor Ling has been instrumental in discovering the complex factors contributing to the urchin problem, casting new light on how climate change, predatory interactions, and ecological balance play into the crisis.
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The Great Southern Reef Research Partnership is a collaboration between universities, management agencies, and NGOs from across Australia, is taking a whole-of-system approach to safeguard the critical functions, fisheries, and biodiversity of the Great Southern Reef.
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The Great Southern Reef Foundation has partnered with Fremantle-based multidisciplinary artist Amok Island to create a stunning limited edition print, Iconic Species of the Great Southern Reef. This artwork showcases 18 unique species found along this extraordinary marine ecosystem.
