Sea Change Australia

Exploring the edges: What our research is revealing about uncharted climate futures
2026-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Access to high resolution climate data across Australia has transformed how we understand the risks ahead. Yet as researchers work with increasing levels of detail in the data, they’re discovering important knowledge gaps; signals that suggest our current projections may not be capturing the full spectrum of possible futures. Understanding other plausible futures matters. Preparing Australia for climate risk means looking beyond the conventional outlooks and asking: what might we be missing?
In this upcoming webinar, NESP Climate Systems Hub researchers will unpack what we know with confidence, where uncertainties remain, and why a range of possible futures should be considered. Participants will hear how scientists are exploring climate futures outside the currently modelled range, and how this work is helping decision-makers think more broadly and plan more robustly.
Our speakers will take a deeper dive into two critical emerging themes. First, they’ll examine how real world observations of Pacific Ocean warming differ from modelled projections and what those differences may mean for Australia’s future climate. Second, they’ll explore what current research tells us about global temperature overshoot scenarios and the implications for risk assessment and resilience planning. Together, these perspectives offer a clearer, more nuanced picture of the challenges we need to be ready for.
Join us for this important conversation and equip yourself with the latest thinking on Australia’s future climate.

WEBINAR Exploring the edges: What our research is revealing about uncharted climate futures
2026-04-23 12:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
When: Thursday 23 April 2026
Time: 12pm AEST
Register here >
Access to high resolution climate data across Australia has transformed how we understand the risks ahead. Yet as researchers work with increasing levels of detail in the data, they’re discovering important knowledge gaps; signals that suggest our current projections may not be capturing the full spectrum of possible futures. Understanding other plausible futures matters. Preparing Australia for climate risk means looking beyond the conventional outlooks and asking: what might we be missing?
In this upcoming webinar, Hub researchers will unpack what we know with confidence, where uncertainties remain, and why a range of possible futures should be considered. Participants will hear how scientists are exploring climate futures outside the currently modelled range, and how this work is helping decision-makers think more broadly and plan more robustly.
Our speakers will take a deeper dive into two critical emerging themes. First, they’ll examine how real world observations of Pacific Ocean warming differ from modelled projections and what those differences may mean for Australia’s future climate. Second, they’ll explore what current research tells us about global temperature overshoot scenarios and the implications for risk assessment and resilience planning. Together, these perspectives offer a clearer, more nuanced picture of the challenges we need to be ready for.
Join us for this important conversation and equip yourself with the latest thinking on Australia’s future climate. Register now to secure your place >

Coastal Resilience Talks: Advancing resilient marine fisheries in a changing ocean
2026-04-28 14:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Helsinki)
Exploring the FishSCORE2030 Ocean Decade Programme with Kathy Mills, 28 April 2026

The Decade Collaborative Centre for Coastal Resilience, together with its Partner Alliance Network, continues its Coastal Resilience Talks series with an upcoming webinar featuring Dr. Katherine (Kathy) Mills (Gulf of Maine Research Institute), focusing on climate resilience in marine fisheries.
The webinar will take place on 28 April 2026 and is part of the DCC-CR’s ongoing efforts to promote knowledge exchange and dialogue on coastal and marine resilience within the framework of the UN Ocean Decade.
The session will present the FishSCORE2030 Ocean Decade Programme (Fisheries Strategies for a Changing Ocean and Resilient Ecosystems by 2030), a global initiative aimed at supporting the resilience of marine fisheries in the face of climate change.
FishSCORE2030 is one of the Decade Actions affiliated with the DCC-CR, bringing together programmes and projects that contribute to the Ocean Decade and are aligned with shared challenges and objectives. Through this network, the DCC-CR fosters collaboration and exchange among initiatives addressing coastal resilience.
The programme works to develop integrated assessment and modelling frameworks that combine ecological, social, cultural, economic, and governance dimensions of fisheries systems. By drawing on evidence and experiences from diverse contexts worldwide, it aims to identify vulnerabilities and support actionable adaptation strategies.
In particular, FishSCORE2030 seeks to:

build a global network to facilitate knowledge exchange and learning
develop tools to assess climate impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptive capacity
apply and refine these approaches across real-world fishery systems
contribute to advancing healthy ecosystems, resilient fisheries, and equitable outcomes

The webinar will provide insights into how science-based approaches and international collaboration can support fisheries facing increasing climate pressures, highlighting both methodological developments and practical applications.
Webinar’s Abstract
Climate change is causing direct, indirect, and cascading impacts on marine fisheries. FishSCORE2030 (Fisheries Strategies for a Changing Ocean and Resilient Ecosystems by 2030), a UN Ocean Decade endorsed program, facilitates a global network to co-develop knowledge, information and approaches to sustain resilient marine fisheries in changing oceans.
About the Speaker
Dr. Katherine Mills is a Senior Scientist at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Her research seeks to understand fisheries as coupled social-ecological systems, integrating physical, biological, social and economic information to support the resilience of marine fisheries.

REGISTER TO THE EVENT

Link to Zoom Event

The future of Tasmania’s crowded ocean
2026-04-29 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmaia, 7005, Australia
Join the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) for a discussion on the future of Tasmania’s crowded ocean.
The future of Tasmania’s crowded ocean
Presented by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Australian Academy of Science and the Royal Society of Tasmania, this event will bring together leading scientific experts to explore the rapid changes occurring in Tasmania’s marine environment and the implications for fisheries, aquaculture, coastal communities and the state’s economy.
Tasmania’s waters are warming faster then almost anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere, driving significant ecological and economic changes. Through expert presentations and discussion, this event will examine the shifting marine ecosystem, the increasing prevalence of harmful algal blooms and how science-based tools can help governments, industries and communities prepare for the future.
The program will feature insights from:

Dr Alistar Hobday FTSE on the changing climate and changing activities around Tasmania.
Professor Gustaaf Hallegraeff FTSE on Harmful Algal Blooms – what are they and why do they seem to be on the rise?
Dr Beth Fulton FTSE FAA on what the future may look like for Tasmanian waters and how can science-based tools can help us prepare for it.

FishSCORE Webinar - Integrating Climate Change into Fisheries Management: A Risk-Based Approach
2026-04-30 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
Presentation: Integrating Climate Change into Fisheries Management: A Risk-Based Approach
Climate change is reshaping Australia’s marine ecosystems, posing significant challenges for fisheries management. To ensure the long term sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries, AFMA has developed a Climate Risk Framework using a risk based approach to assess climate-related risks and guide decision-making. This presentation will examine the impacts of climate change on Commonwealth fisheries, highlighting the urgent need for adaptive management approaches. It will explore the development and implementation of the Climate Risk Framework, including its design to integrate with existing management processes, as well as key case studies and lessons learned. Finally, the presentation will highlight the importance of scientists, managers, and industry working together to support climate-resilient fisheries into the future.
Webinar Presenter: Natalie Couchman, Australian Fisheries Management Authority, is a fisheries manager with more than 15 years of experience in fisheries regulation, policy development, and program implementation. She has worked across a wide range of Commonwealth fisheries, applying her regulatory expertise to complex management challenges. Most recently, she has focused on delivering strategies that enable adaptive fisheries management in a changing climate.
Date and time: April 30, 2026 at 9:00 am US Eastern Time (UTC-5)
Register here

FRDC Marine Climate Briefing #5
2026-05-01 14:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Join us for the final briefing for this 2025/26 series, which will recap the summer, consider preparation for next summer given an increasing likelihood of an El Nino developing in the coming months, and describe new Western Australian resources for MHW preparation and responses.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/45909746466677?p=F9mN1oeLIkRMlWGJhs
Meeting ID: 459 097 464 666 77
Passcode: [REDACTED]

As discussed at the last Briefing, there is an opportunity for you to have more specific climate related webinars throughout the year – brought to you by the Sea Change project (Sea Change Australia – Connect. Share. Adapt.) They are keen to design the webinars based on your feedback and queries. Please can you fill in this short survey to provide your input: Help shape future climate webinars for the Australian fisheries and aquaculture sectors – Fill out survey

Here are the previous Briefings:
Climate change | FRDC

Cathy McGowan AO WISA Webinar
2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Cathy is an experienced company director with an extensive career in business, agricultural research, development, extension and politics.
As a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, Cathy committed to the vision of a “prosperous caring rural Australia alive with opportunities for everyone”. As chair of Agrifutures Australia, the premier national research and development organisation, and as a director of the Community Independents project, she is delivering on her commitment, particularly helping build a nation with effective rural policies based on prosperous and caring industries.
Prior to her current role at AgriFutures Australia, her career highlights include representing the rural electorate of Indi in Parliament from 2013- 2019, expert consultant on women in agriculture, president of the peak national organisation Australian Women in Agriculture, Chair of national Regional Women’s Advisory Council and community representative at the 4th Ministerial meeting of the WTO in Dohar.
Cathy lives in the Indigo Valley, Dhudhora and Dhargal country where the community groups play a vital role enhancing sustainability within the Murray Darling system.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92343386438?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 923 4338 6438
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Aquaculture for the future webinar: Insurance in a changing environment
2026-05-13 14:30 - 15:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Hear from Matt Weaver, Head of Climate Risk & Resilience at Howden Australia, on how aquaculture businesses can manage exposure to natural hazards and unlock investment in adaptation through insurance solutions that align with resilience strategies.
Microsoft Teams
Join the meeting
Meeting ID: 457 474 492 910 62
Passcode: [REDACTED]

AI for Climate: Physical climate risk, from regulation to resilience
2026-05-19 13:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
As climate impacts intensify, understanding physical climate risk – the direct effects of physical hazards on assets, infrastructure and operations – has become increasingly important for organisations to understand and respond to.
You are invited to a live webinar exploring current approaches to assessing physical climate risk, which has become essential for meeting regulatory expectations and building long-term business resilience.
This webinar continues the conversation from earlier CSIRO AI for Climate  events and brings together an industry × research panel to share perspectives on current practices, emerging challenges, and future directions in physical climate risk assessment.
Geared towards individuals and organisations engaged in physical climate risk assessment, particularly asset owners and asset managers, we conclude with an interactive audience Q&A.

Register now

Panelists
Dr Judith Landsberg – Australian Climate Service, Chief Scientist
Judith works with the Australian Climate Service, contributing to national efforts to improve access to authoritative climate risk information. Her role focuses on supporting consistent, decision-relevant climate risk assessment across government, industry and communities.
Mark Jones – NBN, Executive Manager Sustainability
Mark Jones works at NBN, where he is involved in integrating physical climate risk considerations into infrastructure planning and resilience. He brings an asset-owner perspective on assessing and managing climate risks to support long-term service delivery.
Dr Nick Wood – Director, Climate Policy Research PL, Industry Fellow, Institute for Climate Risk & Response, UNSW
Nick Wood is an independent climate policy consultant with 25 years of experience supporting government and industry on climate risk, regulation and transition planning. His work focuses on translating evolving climate policy and regulatory requirements into practical approaches for organisations.
Dr Geoff Lee – CSIRO, Senior Research Consultant
Geoff works within CSIRO at the intersection of climate data, analytics and decision support. His work focuses on improving how physical climate risk information is developed, interpreted and applied to support policy, regulatory and business decision-making.
Maria Wikstrom – CSIRO, Product Manager
Maria’s work focuses on aligning research and technical solutions to market needs in order to maximise impact for government, industry and communities. She serves as bridge between cutting-edge climate science and actionable decision-support tools for physical climate risk.
Moderator
Dr Cara Stitzlein – CSIRO, Senior Research Scientist
Cara works within CSIRO as a human factors researcher who applies responsible innovation and design thinking methodologies to complex socio-technical systems. Her work supports stakeholders to navigate emerging technologies through rapid prototyping and futures thinking, with a current focus on climate-related financial disclosure and enabling sustainable transitions across diverse industries.

2026 NSW OYSTER Conference
2026-05-26 - 2026-05-28
Planning is well underway for the 2026 Oyster Conference to be held in Merimbula between the 26-28th May. Sponsorship opportunities will be announced in early 2026, with delegate ticket sales expected to open in late February.
It’s shaping up as a cracking 2.5 day conference with field trips, a trade evening, the return of a shed social night (featuring oyster olympics), conference sessions, dedicated time for hot-topic discussion, a gala dinner with expanded awards categories, and plenty of opportunities for networking and learning. Save the date now!
Until then, if you have any thoughts on the conference, or want to express you interest in getting involved in some way e.g. participating in the trade show, sponsoring a social event, or hosting a workshop, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Andy Myers (0488656366 / Andy@oceanwatch.org.au).
Find out more here

NSW Oyster Conference - WISA Breakfast event
2026-05-26 15:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Planning is well underway for the 2026 Oyster Conference to be held in Merimbula between the 26-28th May. Sponsorship opportunities will be announced in early 2026, with delegate ticket sales expected to open in late February.
It’s shaping up as a cracking 2.5 day conference with field trips, a trade evening, the return of a shed social night (featuring oyster olympics), conference sessions, dedicated time for hot-topic discussion, a gala dinner with expanded awards categories, and plenty of opportunities for networking and learning. Save the date now!
WISA will be hosting a Breakfast Event with a Panel of Speakers – If you would like to be involved please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jane Cowan eo@womeninseafood.org.au
If you have any questions about the Conference please contact Andy Myers (0488656366 / Andy@oceanwatch.org.au).
Find out more here

WEBINAR Behind the World's Climate Report: Insider Perspectives from the IPCC
2026-06-17 13:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online virtual event
The work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, better known as the IPCC, is considered one of the most comprehensive, rigorous, on-going and collaborative climate change assessments in the world. While most of us would be familiar with the Assessment Reports released every 7 years, we’re probably less familiar with what happens behind the scenes… How many different types of reports are there? What peer review takes place and how? How are different perspectives handled in the research? How is consensus reached in the writing of the reports? How are the scientist authors selected? And what are some of the motivations for being involved?
As the 7th assessment cycle kicks off, join us for this fascinating discussion panel – our Climate Systems Hub scientists, our Indigenous Facilitator, along with Australia’s secretariat to the IPCC, will share their own insights and experiences on these questions and more.

International Coral Reef Symposium 2026
2026-07-19 - 2026-07-24 | New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland, New Zealand
We are delighted to invite you to the 16th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS), to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from Sunday 19th to Friday 24th July 2026.

This will represent an important forum to highlight the plight of world’s coral reefs, including those across Oceania, and discuss management solutions with global applicability.
Coral reefs are a vital part of marine ecosystems and are under threat from global warming and ocean acidification, as well as more localised threats such as agricultural run-off, poor fishing practices and coastal development. Hosting the ICRS symposium in Oceania will provide a unique place to come together to identify solutions to these problems and to provide guidance to help governments, NGOs and industry make informed decisions to protect our coral reefs and the livelihood of those affected.
Coral reefs in Oceania play an important role for global biodiversity, as well as for the wellbeing and livelihoods of millions of Pacific Islanders. Coral reefs are home to many millions of species, from fish and plant life to microscopic bacteria. They also provide a source of food and income for many of our people, as well as provide other important ecosystem and cultural services that are under threat from global climate change and local human activity. The 16th ICRS conference provides an opportunity to highlight solutions to coral reef threats, including those solutions arising from traditional knowledge systems.
The Pacific Ocean occupies about a third of the surface of the globe and about 25% of the world’s coral reef area, supporting a dizzying array of unique and endemic species. New Zealand works in partnership with Pacific countries to support peace, prosperity, and environmental protection in the Pacific region. Now, more than ever, the wellbeing of New Zealand’s people, economy and environment is closely linked to the wellbeing of the Pacific region in which we live. We are committed to sustainable development with and for the Pacific and tackling the global challenges, particularly climate change, that affect our region.
New Zealand has strong cultural connections to our Pacific neighbours. New Zealand is also a hub for Pacific Islanders, as many Pacific nations (e.g., Cook Islands, Niue) have special diplomatic relations, meaning there is already a large presence in the country. Bringing the ICRS to New Zealand for the first time will provide a truly unique opportunity to feature Pacific Islander knowledge and traditions for reef management, as well as providing a global platform to share the latest science for understanding how to best preserve coral reefs in the face of global change and other threats.
We look forward to seeing you in New Zealand, where we intend to build on the advances made during the 15th ICRS in Bremen, Germany, by taking a positive, collaborative and proactive stance, and thereby “working together to ensure a future for coral reefs”.

6th Australia New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society Conference 2026
2026-08-26 - 2026-08-28 | Tauranga Campus, 101 Durham Street, Tauranga, 3110, New Zealand
Join us at the 6th Australia New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society Conference 2026
Hosted by the University of Waikato – Tauranga, where we will bring together over 200 experts, researchers, students and industry leaders to showcase the cutting-edge developments in marine biotechnology in Australia, New Zealand, the Asia–Pacific region and beyond.
Showcasing Marine Biotechnology Success Stories
Innovation in marine biotechnology is transforming the way we approach sustainability, health, climate change, and the Blue Economy. Think compostable plastics made from seaweed, new drug leads from the sea like Halaven (eribulin), seaweed-based solutions to reduce methane emissions in livestock, or high-value natural products like marine collagen or fucoidans for use in cosmetics.
At the August 2026 conference, we’ll be shining a spotlight on marine biotechnology success stories. Celebrating the inspiring individuals and teams who have taken their discoveries beyond the lab and into the real world. Join us as founders, researchers, and industry leaders share their journeys from concept to commercialisation including the challenges they’ve faced, the breakthroughs they’ve achieved, and the lessons learned along the way.
These stories showcase the diverse pathways within marine biotechnology, from developing novel marine bioproducts and sustainable aquaculture solutions to advancing ocean-based pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, and environmental innovations.

AMSA 2026
2026-08-30 - 2026-09-03 | QT Hotel Canberra, 1 London Cct, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Join us in Canberra for AMSA 2026 from 30 August – 3 September

We are excited to announce that the 60th annual AMSA Conference will be held from August 30 to September 3, 2026, on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country in Canberra. Set in Australia’s capital and political heart, AMSA 2026 embraces the theme ‘Marine Science with Impact’—bridging the vital connections between science, policy, and communities to ensure marine research continues to shape Australia’s sustainable future. This conference will provide a unique platform for visibility, engagement, and influence, with anticipated participation from key political figures, government departments, and policy leaders.
Building on the 2025 theme of ‘Harmony in Marine Systems’, AMSA 2026 will aim to continue integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge systems, fostering collaboration among marine scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, policymakers, industry leaders, and environmental managers. Together, we’ll explore innovative solutions for our rapidly changing marine ecosystems across topics including marine biodiversity, fisheries, blue carbon, renewable energy, conservation, restoration, and the blue economy.
The conference will be held at the QT Hotel in Canberra’s vibrant CBD, surrounded by superb restaurants, cafes, bars, and accommodation options, with the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin on your doorstep. We look forward to welcoming you to Canberra in 2026 for what promises to be an impactful and memorable AMSA conference.

Climate Adaptation 2026
2026-10-26 - 2026-10-28 | The Nex, 309 King Street, Newcstle West, New South Wales, 2302, Australia
The NESP Climate systems hub invite you to join us for Australia’s next national adaptation conference
to be held in Newcastle, NSW from 26-28 October 2026.
The conference is Australia’s preeminent event focused exclusively on climate change adaptation. It is an opportunity to share knowledge and experience, to network and strengthen the growing community of adaptation practice and research in Australia.
The program across three days includes plenary sessions focused on key voices, panel sessions and workshops addressing specific challenges and thematic sessions of delegate presentations.
Join us for Climate Adaptation 2026 – an unmissable event helping Australia adapt to the future.

ASFB 2026
2026-11-29 - 2026-12-03 | Hobart, Hobart, Tasmania
We are thrilled to announce that ASFB 2026 will take place in the beautiful city of Hobart, Tasmania. Join us for another exciting gathering of freshwater scientists, researchers, and practitioners from across Australia and beyond.
