News and publications
Stay up to date with the latest news, announcements, publications and insights from Sea Change Australia and other work underway around the world.
This section includes project updates, newsletters, relevant publications, and resources of interest to climate adaptation in fisheries and aquaculture.
This section is regularly updated to support knowledge exchange and keep our community informed about new developments, opportunities, and stories from across the seafood sector. Contact us if you would like to share specific news with us and our broader network.
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Not sure where to dive in? Whether you’re chasing updates on algal blooms, curious about the latest marine heatwave or species on the move reports, or wondering how new fisheries management or biosecurity changes might rock the boat, you can filter our news and publications to find exactly what you’re fishing for. Explore seafood finance changes, invasive species, climate and seasonal forecasts, and much more. Cast a line below and see what bites!
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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.
OzFish is ramping up shellfish reef restoration to help South Australia recover from harmful algal blooms. Volunteers have already recycled 12 tonnes of oyster shells into reef modules, with more efforts underway through a new shell recycling centre in Adelaide. Oysters improve water quality and create vital fish habitats, while OzFish and community members are also restoring seagrass, saltmarsh and mangroves. The charity is calling for public support through volunteering, donations, and citizen science to build long-term resilience in SA’s marine ecosystems.
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.
The first Sea Change Australia newsletter introduces the project, shares the new website and promo video, launches a Q&A platform, highlights recent insights, invites expert registrations, and features climate report cards, adaptation stories, team intros, and news updates.