Great Southern Reef Foundation
@greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
300 followers 25 following 81 posts
Community | Education | Science. Building an identity for Australia’s temperate reefs. 8000km network of kelp forests. #greatsouthernreef
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greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
Sea Urchin documentary 'White Rock' will be screened at the NSW Parliament on 15 Oct. Guest speakers will lead a discussion on the ecological and cultural emergency facing NSW Sea Country.

Limited number of free tickets available here:
events.humanitix.com/whiterock-ns...
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
Scientists have developed a scalable “holdfast-graft” method to reseed Tasmania’s lost giant kelp forests. By binding hatchery kelp to other seaweed stubs, divers achieved 40× higher survival. Within a year, the grafted kelp began reproducing—kick-starting self-sustaining forests. #GreatSouthernReef
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
In addition to its striking appearance, what makes the longsnout boarfish stand out is its unusual feeding habits.
Along with the worms you’d expect from a bottom-dwelling predator, it also preys on brittle stars.. a rare choice among fishes.
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
Pygmy Blue Whale sighting at Bussleton!

Megan Wood who captured the encounter reflected on the experience “we are incredibly lucky to call this place home, and it is our responsibility to care for it and protect it"
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
Tonight: join marine ecologist Dr. Elodie Camprasse for an online session exploring the incredible life of Australia’s Great Southern Reef. Rego link: tinyurl.com/3vcu8rzr
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
New research reveals turban snails (Gugumbal), long harvested across Sea Country, are shifting south as ocean waters warm. The study modelled 3 Gugumbal species and show range contractions in southern Qld, and new populations appearing further south.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
GSR Research Partnership Members Prof. Thomas Wernberg & Prof. Sean Connell have been honoured with the 2025 ITRS Award for ‘Life-long Service & Contributions to Marine Science’. This recognition highlights their decades of leadership and lasting impact on temperate reef science globally.
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
Meet the humble ascidian, a.k.a. sea squirt. New research suggests one species could alter the role of reefs in a warming ocean. At Solitary Islands they increased 4x. The microbes within produce N₂O, a greenhouse gas about 300x more potent than carbon dioxide.
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
For Dominic Buyers, every dive begins long before he enters the water. From tides to topographical maps, preparation shapes every image he creates. He prefers diving between slack high and outgoing tide, when visibility improves and marine life appears more active.
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
The Hippolyte Rocks, off the Tasman Peninsula, is challenging to access due to rough weather, but when conditions align, the visibility, colours, and marine life are unmatched.

Video by our latest feature creator Dominic Buyers.
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
Shaun de Bruyn is the CEO of the Tourism Industry Council of SA and was part of the GSR HAB delegation to Canberra.

“From a scientific perspective, the GSR which supports $11.5 billion in jobs, seafood and tourism, deserves long-term funding to track ecosystem change on a level similar to the GBR”
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
The GSR HAB Delegation has returned from meeting with PM Albanese, federal ministers, senators & senior officials to call for enhanced & coordinated national action.

The science ask was clear: an immediate $6M, 2yr investment to deliver the GSR’s first cross-state biodiversity health check.
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
New global review warns that marine heatwaves are becoming longer, stronger & more frequent, with far-reaching impacts.

For the GSR, these findings highlight the urgency of coordinated monitoring to understand impacts & guide timely, effective management responses.

www.nature.com/articles/s44...
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
New research published in Science warns that ocean-based climate interventions are moving faster than our ability to regulate, monitor, and evaluate them. One of their key messages is that monitoring must be comprehensive & connected. theconversation.com/marine-clima...
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
Giant Australian Cuttlefish are still gathering in large numbers and currently laying plenty of eggs, with the waters around Point Lowly remaining clean. Today, the SA Government is holding an emergency meeting to plan for risks from the harmful algal bloom spreading to the upper Spencer Gulf.
Reposted by Great Southern Reef Foundation
biodivcouncil.bsky.social
ABC News has highlighted our seven urgent actions to tackle SA’s toxic algal bloom and prepare for future climate-driven disasters. Priorities include cutting emissions, reducing pollution, monitoring the Great Southern Reef, and boosting research to prevent and recover from future crises.
Reposted by Great Southern Reef Foundation
peggysanders.bsky.social
“Labor questioned on funding for Great Southern Reef amid algal bloom in SA

Rebekha Sharkie gets the next crossbench question, and asks whether the government will increase funding for the monitoring of Great Southern Reef, as the algal bloom affects South Australia.”
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
Footage captured yesterday at Ardrossan, Yorke Peninsula, reveals more underwater impacts of SA's Harmful Algal Bloom.

With neon green water, the seabed was littered with dead and dying animals. There were also hundreds, if not thousands, of garfish on the seabed, some still alive.
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
GSRRP Scientists have contacted the Federal Government, urging investment & offering to meet. Neither the funding request nor the meeting was acknowledged. Without a proper national monitoring program, our ability to prepare for, understand & respond to future marine heatwaves is extremely limited.
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
Mass Mollusc Deaths.

Of great concern is the death of molluscs of all sizes & feeding strategies: filter-feeders, grazers, carnivores, scavengers & deposit feeders.

Learn more about the HAB in the new article by Janine Baker
greatsouthernreef.com/2025-algal-b...
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
South Australia's Harmful Algal Bloom Observations on Invertebrates. Marine invertebrates play a huge range of ecological roles. Some are essential food for many other marine species. Learn more in the new comprehensive article by Janine Baker : greatsouthernreef.com/2025-algal-b...
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
At least 24 species of sharks, rays, skates and stingarees have washed up during South Australia's Harmful Algal Bloom. Among them, thousands of Southern Fiddler Rays and hundreds of Smooth Rays.

Learn more in the new article by Janine Baker:

greatsouthernreef.com/2025-algal-b...
greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
The SA Marine Mortality iNaturalist Project has now logged more than 6,500 observations across 380 species, reported by community members. Fishers suggest this is just the tip of the iceberg with most of the deaths are happening unseen, decomposing on the seafloor.