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From April 2023 to March 2024, global ocean surface temperatures remained at record highs, surpassing the previous 2015–2016 record by an average of 0.25 °C — an event estimated to occur only once every 512 years under current warming trends. Climate models confirm such extreme temperature jumps are possible due to human-driven global warming and suggest ocean temperatures will likely return to the long-term warming trend following this exceptional event.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.