white rock

media kit

press release

March 2025 – Australia – A new documentary is shining a spotlight on the hidden environmental crisis unfolding in Australian waters—the longspined sea urchins destruction of the Great Southern Reef. White Rock, featuring acclaimed filmmaker and environmental advocate Damon Gameau, connects science, policy, and sustainable seafood to reveal a path forward for Australia’s embattled reefs.

View the full press release here

quick links

STILL IMAGES

Note that there are no archival permissions on these assets, to be used strictly for communications around the White Rock Film and Impact Campaign.

Always credit the photographer using the following credit line "Photographer Name courtesy Great Southern Reef Foundation”

A mix of healthy kelp forests, urchin barrens, divers, processors & more

Click here to access this collection.

more high resolution imagery by category

  • Divers Harvesting

    Featuring divers harvesting urchins. filling bags and loading boats.

    Download divers harvesting urchin images

  • Culling

    Divers culling longspined urchins - a last resort to save reefs and bring back kelp.

    download culling images

  • processing

    features workers processing roe

    download processing images

  • white rock barrens

    Showcasing the devastating impact of longspined urchins. Stripped away habitat of bare, white rock.

    download urchin barren images

  • Divers

    Showcasing divers exploring the Great Southern Reef, conducting research, and encountering its unique marine life.

    download diver images

  • aerial

    Aerial perspectives capturing the dramatic coastlines of the Great Southern Reef, from rugged cliffs and wild surf to sweeping sandy shores.

    download aerial images

  • cephlapods

    Highlighting the mesmerising cephalopods of the Great Southern Reef, from camouflaging cuttlefish to elusive octopuses.

    download cephlapods

  • crustaceans

    Featuring the diverse crustaceans of the Great Southern Reef, including spiny lobsters, colourful crabs, and cryptic shrimp

    download crustaceans

  • reef fish

    Showcasing the vibrant reef fish of the Great Southern Reef, from iconic species like the blue groper and blue devil to rare and cryptic inhabitants.

    download reef fish

  • giant kelp

    Capturing the towering underwater forests of giant kelp.

    download giant kelp

  • golden lelp

    Showcasing the sun-drenched canopies of golden kelp, a defining feature of the Great Southern Reef’s rich and dynamic ecosystems

    download golden kelp

  • invertebrates

    Highlighting the diverse invertebrates of the Great Southern Reef, from delicate sea stars and colourful nudibranchs to intricate soft corals and sponges.

    download invertebrate images

  • Syngnathids

    Featuring the elusive syngnathids of the Great Southern Reef, including delicate seadragons, seahorses, and pipefish, masters of camouflage in their underwater world

    download Syngnathid images

  • sponge gardens

    Showcasing the vibrant sponge gardens of the Great Southern Reef, rich with intricate structures that provide shelter for diverse marine life.

    download sponge garden images

  • marine mammals

    Highlighting the marine mammals of the Great Southern Reef, from playful dolphins and majestic whales to curious seals exploring the kelp forests.

    download marine mammal images

footage

Please credit “Great Southern Reef Foundation”

trailer and socials

reels

gsr delegation to canberra

A delegation of scientists, industry representatives, and policymakers gathered at Parliament House in Canberra to highlight the growing crisis facing the Great Southern Reef. They presented evidence on the devastating impact of the longspined sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii), which is destroying vital kelp forests and threatening marine industries.

The delegation called for urgent federal support, outlining a $55 million action plan developed by a multi-state task force to manage the crisis through ecosystem interventions, commercial harvesting, and policy reforms. Their message was clear: inaction is not an option, and coordinated efforts are needed to protect this critical marine ecosystem.

View the full transcript here

Speakers (in order of appearance)

  1. Senator Peter Whish-Wilson – Senator for Tasmania, Australian Greens

    • Opened the presentation, acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land.

    • Highlighted the need for greater recognition and support for the Great Southern Reef (GSR).

    • Compared ecosystem interventions for the Great Barrier Reef to the lack of funding for managing the longspined sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii).

  2. Dr. Scott Bennett – Marine Ecologist & Senior Lecturer, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania; Co-Founder, Great Southern Reef Foundation

    • Introduced the GSR and its ecological and economic significance.

    • Discussed the impact of warming oceans and marine heatwaves on kelp forests.

    • Provided an overview of the Centrostephanus urchin crisis and its devastating impact on reef ecosystems.

  3. Associate Professor Scott Ling – Marine Ecologist & Research Team Leader, IMAS, University of Tasmania

    • Explained the expansion of Centrostephanus rodgersii due to climate-driven ocean warming.

    • Demonstrated the ecological consequences of urchin barrens and the collapse of temperate reef ecosystems.

    • Highlighted the loss of key species and the urgent need for ecosystem management strategies.

  4. Helen Burville – Executive Officer, Eastern Zone Abalone Industry Association, Victoria

    • Spoke about the economic impact of urchin barrens on the abalone industry.

    • Detailed the drastic decline in abalone catch quotas due to habitat destruction.

    • Emphasised that inaction is not an option and called for urgent management measures.

  5. Dr. Patrick Hone – Managing Director, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

    • Outlined the establishment of the Centrostephanus Task Force, uniting New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.

    • Presented the Task Force’s $55 million business plan for targeted ecosystem interventions, including culling, reef monitoring, value-adding initiatives, and Indigenous engagement.

    • Stressed the need for national policy coordination and immediate action.

  6. Dr. John Keane – Wild Fisheries Program Leader & Dive Fisheries Team Leader, IMAS, University of Tasmania

    • Provided a scientific perspective on urchin control methods, including commercial harvesting, predator restoration, and reef rehabilitation.

    • Emphasised that while humans have caused the problem, they are also part of the solution.

    • Advocated for scaling up proven interventions to restore kelp forests and support fisheries.

  7. Ryan Morris – Director & Owner, South Coast Sea Urchins, Merimbula, New South Wales

    • Discussed the challenges and potential of the commercial urchin industry.

    • Highlighted the need for expanded export markets and value-added processing for sea urchin products.

    • Shared how his company employs Indigenous workers and contributes to local economies.

  8. Julian Amos – CEO, Tasmanian Abalone Council, Tasmania

    • Summarised the delegation’s key messages and called for federal funding to implement the business plan.

    • Reiterated the urgency of addressing the Centrostephanus crisis to prevent further ecological and economic collapse.

    • Invited questions from attendees, emphasising the importance of bipartisan support.

  9. Senator Peter Whish-Wilson (Closing Remarks)

    • Explained the Senate inquiry process and the expected timeline for government responses.

    • Stressed that the Centrostephanus crisis is a rare bipartisan issue with universal agreement on the need for action.

    • Encouraged continued advocacy and collaboration to ensure federal government prioritisation of the issue.

BRANDING

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