News and publications

Sea Change Australia is featured in the Spring 2025 issue of Western Angler!

South Australian seafood workers sidelined by the harmful algal bloom are being redeployed to clean local beaches, as a parliamentary inquiry investigates the crisis

A new Australian and New Zealand Marine Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Network has been established to strengthen collaboration and information sharing on harmful algal blooms across the region.

A new study warns that climate change will worsen risks for fishers, from harsher storms and extreme heat to longer, more exhausting trips at sea. Combined with weak labor protections and forced labor risks, these pressures could deepen inequities across global fisheries. The authors call for urgent cross-sector policy action to protect workers’ safety, wellbeing, and rights.

Fish farms may hold untapped potential in the fight against climate change. New research suggests that iron enrichment in aquaculture could neutralize toxic gases while capturing millions of tons of CO₂ each year, offering farmers both environmental and economic benefits.

Queensland’s oyster industry, long challenged by disease and climate pressures, is being revitalised through a bold aquaculture project. Researchers are trialling two native tropical species – the Blacklip Rock Oyster and the newly named Queensland Sunshine Oyster – which show strong resistance to QX disease, faster growth rates, and greater climate tolerance than Sydney Rock Oysters. With hatchery challenges overcome and early results from growers looking promising, these tropical oysters could reshape the future of farming along Queensland’s coast.

South Australia is battling a massive harmful algal bloom driven by climate change, nutrient runoff, and habitat loss. While large-scale fixes are unfeasible, restoring oyster reefs and seagrass meadows – nature’s “kidneys and immune system” – offers hope for long-term resilience.

Western Australia has experienced its most severe marine heatwave on record, causing widespread coral bleaching and death across iconic reefs like Ningaloo, Rowley Shoals, and the Kimberley, with heat stress far exceeding bleaching thresholds. Scientists warn recovery will be challenging without urgent climate action as global ocean temperatures continue to rise.

Australia has an opportunity to use marine heatwave forecasting to develop rapid responses to biological disruptions.

Over 120 experts met in Perth for WA’s first Marine Heatwave Symposium, held during National Science Week, to address the State’s most severe marine heatwave, which caused widespread coral bleaching and mortality. The event focused on sharing research, improving understanding, and guiding future monitoring and recovery efforts.

A harmful algal bloom in South Australia has killed marine life, damaged the economy, and made beaches unsafe, cutting communities off from “blue spaces” that support physical and mental wellbeing. The crisis has also sparked citizen science, wildlife rescues, and advocacy for stronger environmental protection.

The South Australian Government are providing a weekly newsletter with updates for what is happening along the South Australian coastline.

Their newsletter aims to bring you clear facts, safety advice, and timely updates so you can stay informed. Share it with friends and family to help everyone feel confident about visiting the beach and enjoying local seafood.

South Australia’s toxic Karenia mikimotoi algal bloom has killed vast amounts of marine life, fuelled by unusually warm, calm seas and lingering nutrients from floods and upwelling. Climate change is expected to make such harmful blooms more frequent and severe, highlighting the need for climate action and better nutrient management.

Last week, the Sea Change Australia team held our first case study workshops in Albany and Fremantle, WA, bringing together fishers, managers, and researchers to discuss climate change impacts and adaptation for the south-west’s nearshore and estuarine fisheries. Supported by DPIRD and the FRDC, the workshops marked an important step in collaborative planning for a changing climate.

In short:
Support measures for SA’s recreational fishing sector as it battles the algal bloom include plans for an artificial reef and an expansion of fishing in reservoirs.

A $200,000 grant will go to RecFish SA to bolster community fishing participation.

What’s next?
RecFish SA has backed the reservoir plan but says it will require feedback from SA Water and SA Health.

Ocean heatwaves are intensifying, with all Australian waters warmer in winter 2025 and heat-linked events like algal blooms emerging. Professor Matthew England warns that a major Atlantic current (AMOC), which helps regulate climate and support marine life, is slowing with global consequences.

Editor’s summary
Global warming is causing substantial, rapid changes in our oceans. Attempts to adapt to these changes have already involved a host of marine-climate interventions, but to what effect? Morrison et al. reviewed the evidence and concluded that the marine governance systems meant to ensure that climate goals remain achievable and that societal and ecosystem risks are minimized have failed to keep pace with mitigation efforts. Intervention-specific principles need to be embedded within governance at all levels to avoid the worst risks associated with deploying new marine-climate interventions at scale. —Jesse Smith

The Albanese Government is supporting the rollout of a new long-range marine heatwave forecasting system, developed by the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO. Launching publicly in the 2025/26 summer, the outlooks will predict ocean temperature extremes up to three months in advance to help protect marine ecosystems and support fisheries, aquaculture, and climate resilience planning.

Climate change is taking a toll on scientists’ mental health, with many experiencing distress from witnessing environmental decline. Marine ecologist Gretta Pecl says this emotional response is rational and promotes “active hope” as a way to stay engaged. She also leads initiatives to support researchers coping with climate grief.

In short:
Marine scientists and wildlife authorities are undecided about how to mitigate the impact of the algal bloom on cuttlefish eggs in the Upper Spencer Gulf.

Temporarily moving the hatchlings is one option, but could lead to unintended consequences.

What next?
Ecologists say the ideal time to relocate the cuttlefish eggs would be in the next few weeks.

Dr Gary Jackson and Dr Arani Chandrapavan attended the NESP Climate Adaptation 2025 Conference in Perth on behalf of Sea Change Australia and Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development fisheries branch.

Professor Gretta Pecl AM and Olivia Johnson were thrilled to attend and lead an engaging workshop last week at the 2025 Australian Recreational Fishing Forum hosted by the Australian recreational fishing foundation on the beautiful Gold Coast!

In response to South Australia’s devastating toxic algal bloom, scientists have released a seven-point plan urging urgent action, including $10 million for impact research, ecosystem restoration, emissions cuts, and a disaster-response framework. The bloom, linked to climate change, has killed hundreds of marine species and prompted a Senate inquiry and $28 million in federal and state funding.

The Sea Change Australia team made a strong showing at the 2025 AMSA conference in Naarm, with Dr Julia Santana-Garcon presenting on climate resilience in fisheries, Professor Gretta Pecl joining a panel on “Why Oceans Matter!”, and team members A/Prof Emily Ogier and Dr Scott Spillias sharing insights on marine governance and AI-driven ecosystem modelling.

Sea Change Australia is excited to announce the full launch of its comprehensive website, now featuring an interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) platform tailored for the seafood sector.

Media release Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Western Australia is backing a new wave of research to help the nation’s fisheries and aquaculture operations adapt to climate change impacts.

Sea Change Australia is pleased to announce the early access launch of its new website, providing a central platform for Australia’s seafood sector to engage with climate adaptation resources.

Dr Julia Santana Garcon recently represented Sea Change Australia at the FishSCORE 2030 workshop in the US, sharing our work on building climate-resilient fisheries. Her presentation on the Global Toolkit for Resilient Fisheries sparked strong interest and marked the start of an international working group to advance climate adaptation tools in fisheries and aquaculture.

In short:
The Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association has been certified as sustainable under the Marine Stewardship Council standard.

It is a world-first for southern bluefin tuna and is being described as a significant milestone due to the fact the species was once severely overfished.

What’s next?
The association says certification will also improve market access and there are hopes for a price rise.

Western Australia’s sustainable fisheries and world-leading management and science programs are in the spotlight as Sustainable Seafood Week is celebrated across the country.

For the first time, scientists have acoustically tagged Kingfish in Tasmanian waters to track their movements and interactions with Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs), amid rising Kingfish presence due to ocean warming. The study will help researchers understand whether these popular game fish are temporary visitors or establishing longer-term residency in Tasmania.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Media Release

Fisheries researchers are out on water this week conducting surveys in the Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery to check the health of prawn stocks.

A toxic algal bloom of Karenia mikimotoi in South Australia has caused mass marine deaths and illness in over 100 beachgoers. The event highlights growing concerns about harmful algal blooms, their links to climate change, and risks to marine and human health.

Aussie seafood lovers will soon be able to select their preferred catch in restaurants and cafes, with country-of-origin labelling (CoOL) to be added to menus.

NT Government’s decision to phase-out gillnets from the commercial barramundi industry has created a range of problems.

In short:
A microalgae bloom is the likely cause of dead marine life reported from Waitpinga to Basham Beach in the Fleurieu Peninsula, the EPA says.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is investigating the fish deaths.

What’s next?
Initial results from water testing would be available in about a week.

ABC Tasmanian Country Hour’s Tony Briscoe speaks to the incoming Chair of Sea Forest John McKillop to find out more about the future plans and how he was feeling about the new role.

In short:
A mysterious foam has washed up on a beach on SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula.

Surfers who visited over the weekend have reported coughing, sore throats and blurred vision.

What’s next?
SA’s primary industries department is investigating reports of a “fish mortality event” and two beaches have been closed.

Tasmania is tackling the invasive Longspined Sea Urchin by overfishing it, successfully halving its population and protecting kelp forests. A new study shows this innovative, government-subsidised approach is both ecologically effective and economically sustainable, offering a global model for managing climate-driven marine pests.

One of Tasmania’s largest wild fisheries species is being overfished, but scientists say it’s a good thing. Why they say this practice could save species across the globe.

Australia’s orange roughy fishery has received MSC certification despite strong opposition from environmental groups, who argue the species is still threatened. Fisheries representatives defend the move as a sign of successful stock recovery and compliance with the MSC’s updated, rigorous sustainability standards.

JCU researchers are hoping to unlock the enormous potential of grouper fish as a source of healthy seafood in Australia and Vietnam.

Researchers in Tasmania are turning waste from invasive sea urchins—harvested to protect reefs—into a potential fertiliser for farms. Trials show the urchin waste raises soil pH and provides nutrients, offering a sustainable solution that benefits both agriculture and marine ecosystems.

As the number of reports about kelp disappearing grows, kelpers on one Australian island are fighting to keep their industry alive.

On King Island in the Bass Strait, locals are concerned about a decline in bull kelp – a type of seaweed – which they collect for global export.

Researchers are scrambling to figure out what could be behind it, but say it’s likely due to climate change.

Australia experienced a summer of extreme climate events, including record-breaking heatwaves, bushfires, torrential rain, and widespread marine heatwaves that led to coral bleaching and mass fish deaths. With every state and territory facing above-average temperatures and the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting continued heat into autumn, the season underscored the intensifying impact of climate change across the country.

Tasmanian researchers have identified southeastern Tasmania as a prime year-round habitat for cultivating Asparagopsis armata, a native seaweed used to reduce livestock methane emissions. The study, which found high abundance, diverse host species, and two distinct genetic lineages, will guide sustainable aquaculture and help expand Sea Forest’s production of climate-positive livestock supplements.

Western Australian scientists have developed a satellite-based method to monitor and predict rock lobster populations by tracking changes in seagrass and macroalgae habitats, offering a potentially transformative tool for global fisheries management. Part of the ICoAST project, the study builds on traditional techniques and supports a fishery worth hundreds of millions annually.

A new IMAS study has confirmed that Australian Sardine stocks in Tasmanian and Bass Strait waters are large enough to support a sustainable local fishery. Researchers recommend a cautious, research-informed approach to developing the fishery, drawing on successful management models from South Australia.

Tasmania’s 2023/24 rock lobster and abalone season saw high participation and strong catch satisfaction among recreational fishers, especially on the East Coast. IMAS researchers found signs of stock stability and effective management, with calls to improve catch reporting through the Fishing Tas app to support long-term sustainability.

IMAS researcher Dr Alison Turnbull urges Australians to handle seafood safely during Food Safety Week, stressing refrigeration, proper cooking, and label reading to reduce risks like Listeria, especially for vulnerable individuals.

Around one in four Tasmanians went recreational fishing in 2022–23, marking the highest participation rate in over 20 years. While most fishers go out infrequently, their collective impact is significant—prompting experts like Professor Sean Tracey from IMAS to highlight the importance of sustainable practices as the recreational sector now rivals commercial harvests for key species.

Overfishing has reduced the size and age of fish populations, weakening marine ecosystems and food security. Dr Asta Audzijonyte is leading efforts to restore fish size diversity through research, marine protection, and community engagement—including a new educational card game.

A new global study led by IMAS has found that fishery stock assessments frequently overestimate fish population health, especially for overfished stocks—by an average of 11.5%. The findings call for more cautious, independently verified approaches to fisheries management to ensure long-term sustainability and food security.

With an ever-increasing hunger for seafood globally, finding low-cost but effective ways of monitoring catches has never been more important to ensure sustainability.

Sea Change: co-developing pathways to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate for fisheries and aquaculture in Australia