Empowering Ocean Stewards: New Guides, Big Wins, and Inspiring Stories!
Welcome to the latest edition of the GSRF newsletter, packed with exciting updates on ocean literacy, restoration efforts, inspiring community stories and an award wining film release. 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.
Nature Positive Summit
This week the GSRF cofounders are at the Nature Positive Summit in Sydney, an influential event bringing together leaders from across government, science and corporate sectors. The summit has had a focus on advancing strategies to halt biodiversity loss and drive investment to protect and repair natural ecosystems, aligning with global efforts to create a nature positive future. The GSRF team are here ensuring temperate reefs have a voice in these important discussions.
GSRF cofounders Scott Bennett, Stefan Andrews & Sahira Bell
New Ocean Literacy Guide Released
We are excited to announce the new edition of the Teacher’s Guide for Ocean Literacy: Over & Under the Waves of the Great Southern Reef has been released as part of a project aimed at improving ocean literacy in schools. Designed for primary educators, this resource brings marine science concepts to life through storytelling and hands-on activities that align with the Australian Curriculum.
To download the guide and access our other teacher resources check out our GSR educator hub. In the new video below, watch how GSR ocean literacy champion Kim at the Lorne P-12 College is utilising the program to inspire students to become passionate advocates for the Great Southern Reef.
Project Restore Advances Marine Ecosystem Revival
Project Restore is an ambitious initiative aimed at restoring and enhancing degraded seascapes within Sydney Harbour by integrating four independent marine projects under the Sydney Institute of Marine Science: Operation Posidonia, Operation Crayweed, Living Seawalls, and Fish Pods. This collaboration focuses on rehabilitating Posidonia australis seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and creating artificial habitats like Living Seawalls and Reef Pods. The project's collective efforts target improving biodiversity, restoring key ecosystems, and enhancing the overall health of Sydney Harbour's marine environments.
Image: Tom Burd/SIMS
In a significant milestone, Project Restore recently conducted the first-ever seagrass planting fieldwork in collaboration with Operation Posidonia, marking the first translocation of Posidonia australis in Sydney Harbour. Over 1,400 seagrass shoots were planted at Cobblers Beach, following extensive planning and collection efforts. Citizen scientists have played a crucial role in these efforts, contributing to seagrass collection from nearby donor meadows. Looking ahead, Project Restore plans to upscale its restoration activities, including further seagrass collections at Bundeena and installing Living Seawalls at Watsons Bay Baths, all while continuing its collaborative restoration efforts across Sydney Harbour.
Image: Tom Burd/SIMS
Operation Crayweed Leads Global Kelp Mission
Operation Crayweed is excited to announce that they have received funding from the Ian Potter Foundation. The funds will support the ‘Local to Global: Strategies for Accelerating Kelp Restoration’ initiative over the next 4 years. In collaboration with the Kelp Forest Alliance, this effort aims to restore and reconnect crayweed habitats, enhance the rich biodiversity they support, and ensure Australia contributes to the global mission of protecting and restoring 4 million hectares of kelp forests by 2040. They are also partnering with AIME to share their collective story with the broader community which they hope to encourage people with a deeper connection to our underwater world.
Image: UNSW
Award-Winning Film Release
In parallel with these restoration efforts, the Kelp Forest Alliance has released an award-winning documentary titled Gardening Marine Forests, directed by GSRF cofounder Stefan Andrews. The film, co-produced with marine scientists Adriana Verges of the GSR Research Partnership and Aaron Eger of the Kelp Forest Alliance, showcases the inspiring journey of kelp restoration efforts in South Korea. It explores how a hands-on approach to reviving kelp forests is yielding success and creating sustainable ocean ecosystems and investigates how lessons from overseas could be useful for restoration efforts back here in Australia across our GSR.
Since its release, Gardening Marine Forests has been honoured at numerous film festivals, including the Best Long Form Short Film award at the Environmental Film & Screenplay Festival, winner of the Professional Filmmaker Feature at the Society for Ecological Restoration Film Festival and official selections at 10 film festivals around the world. We are excited to share that you can now watch the full 20 min film today on YouTube.
Port Phillip Bay Restoration Update
The Port Phillip Bay Golden Kelp restoration project is contributing to the recovery of crucial kelp forest habitats. Watch the new video below to learn about how the project has been successfully growing microscopic golden kelp in the laboratory at the Queenscliff Marine Science Centre and planted out onto targeted areas, ready to mature.
Golden Kelp Seedbank
Building on work across the Great Southern Reef in kelp restoration, scientists are establishing Victoria’s first golden kelp seedbank at Deakin’s Queenscliff Marine Science Centre. Reproductive material of Golden Kelp were collected from various locations around Port Phillip Bay to then be used to create a long-term seedbank in laboratory cultures.
Unexpected Urchin Predator
In a fascinating new study, scientists in NSW have revealed fascinating insights into predation of urchins! The main focus was of the study was on the eastern rock lobster, thought to be an important predator of the long-spined urchin. However, the researchers found that the lobsters ate very few urchins, even when they were nearby. Instead, a different predator, the crested horn shark, was the main hunter of the urchins.
They tested this by tying 100 urchins (50 of each type) near a lobster's home and filming what happened over 25 nights. The sharks ate many more urchins than the lobsters did. Interestingly, lobsters preferred the short-spined urchin, while sharks ate both types, but tended to go for the long-spined ones.
This aligns with findings from another recent study where scientists tethered these same urchin species in different habitats along the NSW coast. In that experiment, they observed for the first time a Port Jackson shark attacking a longspined urchin, which highlights the important role sharks play as unexpected urchin predators.
Championing Ocean Literacy
Last week at the 2024 Australian Geography Teachers Association Conference in Darwin, SA-based educator Danielle Cross represented the Great Southern Reef Foundation, presenting on ocean literacy. In her talk, Danielle reflected on her experiences teaching about the GSR, emphasising the importance of empowering individuals to become active stewards of the reef, incorporating Indigenous perspectives, and inspiring a collective effort to protect the GSR.
If you are interested in joining a community of educators like Danielle, join the Teachers of the Great Southern Reef Facebook Group.
GSR Local Hero - Trinity McLeod
Last week at the 2024 Australian Geography Teachers Association Conference in Darwin, SA-based educator Danielle Cross represented the Great Southern Reef Foundation, presenting on ocean literacy. In her talk, Danielle reflected on her experiences teaching about the GSR, emphasising the importance of empowering individuals to become active stewards of the reef, incorporating Indigenous perspectives, and inspiring a collective effort to protect the GSR.
After researching different organisations, Trinity chose the Great Southern Reef Foundation because of her passion for educating others about the importance of protecting our oceans. Her incredible fundraising effort is a testament to her dedication to ocean conservation and a brighter future for marine environments.
Thank you, Trinity, for your inspiring contribution! Donations help fuel our initiatives, power our outreach, and make a tangible difference in the future of the GSR.
Seismic Testing Plans Abandoned
In a recent victory for the Great Southern Reef, energy data company TGS has officially pulled out of the largest seismic blasting proposal in history, putting an end to the project proposed in the Otway Basin.
This withdrawal comes after months of protests and demonstrates what can be achieved when communities, scientists, and environmental advocates come together for a common cause. This collective action is a powerful reminder that by uniting our voices, we can drive meaningful change.
MERA Unveils Innovative M4 Wave Energy Device in Albany
This month, UWA’s Marine Energy Research Australia (MERA) celebrated a major milestone with the unveiling of the M4 wave energy converter (WEC) in Albany. Standing 24 meters long and weighing 42 tonnes, the bright 'sunflower yellow' device captures energy through the flexing motion of its hinged arms, designed to harness the powerful waves off the Great Southern Reef as a groundbreaking development in renewable wave energy for Australia.
The M4 will be deployed in King George Sound for six months, collecting real-time data on its performance and energy production. Supplemented by wind turbines and solar power, it showcases the potential for Albany to diversify its economy through sustainable energy sources. With funding from the Blue Economy CRC, WA Government, and UWA, Albany is fast becoming a hub for wave energy technology, with exciting possibilities for local industries such as aquaculture and coastal microgrids.
To learn more click here.
WA Beach Clean-Up Set for Its Biggest Year Yet
Tangaroa Blue Foundation's largest annual event is fast approaching, and the organization is aiming to make this year the biggest one yet. Over the past 19 years, the WA Beach Clean-Up has mobilized volunteers to remove 45 tonnes of marine debris from Western Australia’s coastline—an amount equivalent to the weight of an adult humpback whale.
Whether participants are returning volunteers or joining for the first time, Tangaroa Blue is calling for support to help clear marine debris and protect the region’s beautiful beaches. With everyone’s help, this year’s Clean-Up promises to make a lasting impact on the preservation of WA’s coastline.
To register for the event click here.
Tackling Marine Debris: Green Adelaide’s Initiative and Upcoming Workshops
Green Adelaide is making waves in the fight against marine debris with a groundbreaking program that’s empowering local communities to protect our coastlines and marine life. Over the past decade, this initiative has rallied more than 500 passionate volunteers, creating one of Australia’s most comprehensive marine debris datasets. Their efforts have not only helped clean up our oceans but also influenced major environmental policies, including South Australia's Single-use Plastic Products Act and a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
Now, Green Adelaide is inviting you to join the movement!
This October, they’re hosting free, hands-on workshops where you can learn how to be part of the solution. Dive into the latest research, discover how your efforts can make a real impact, and get equipped with the tools to help with upcoming marine debris surveys. Whether you’re an environmental pro or just looking to make a difference, these workshops will inspire you to take action and be a champion for cleaner oceans. Spots are limited, so don’t miss out—register today!
For more information or to book into one of the upcoming workshops head to Green Adelaide’s website Green Adelaide Marine Debris Program.
Feature Creator: Amy Lawson’s Journey with the Great Southern Reef
Amy Lawson's passion for the Great Southern Reef began unexpectedly when she joined a sailing crew along Australia's eastern coast. Captivated by the beauty and diversity of the reef, she soon turned to underwater photography to document her experiences. Her film Tasmania: A Journey to the Edge of the Earth follows a crew of young sailors navigating Tasmania’s stormy seas while uncovering the vibrant marine life of the Great Southern Reef.
Amy’s connection to the reef has deepened over time, inspiring her to raise awareness and encourage collective action to preserve these precious ecosystems. Three of her photos were finalists in the Great Southern Reef category of the Kelp Forest Alliance Photo Awards. You can explore her stunning work on her website and Instagram (@amyintheocean).