Great Southern Reef Foundation
@greatsouthernreef.bsky.social
Community | Education | Science.
Building an identity for Australia’s temperate reefs.
8000km network of kelp forests.
#greatsouthernreef
Building an identity for Australia’s temperate reefs.
8000km network of kelp forests.
#greatsouthernreef
Associate Professor Neville Barrett shares the remarkable ecology of Tasmania’s Bathurst Channel, one of the marine environments he has studied throughout his career.
September 17, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Associate Professor Neville Barrett shares the remarkable ecology of Tasmania’s Bathurst Channel, one of the marine environments he has studied throughout his career.
A new Dragon Search South Australia report led by Janine Baker has documented the loss of almost 1,700 seadragons during the state’s prolonged harmful algal bloom, alongside hundreds of pipefish and seahorses.
Read more: greatsouthernreef.com/news
Read more: greatsouthernreef.com/news
September 15, 2026 at 11:48 PM
A new Dragon Search South Australia report led by Janine Baker has documented the loss of almost 1,700 seadragons during the state’s prolonged harmful algal bloom, alongside hundreds of pipefish and seahorses.
Read more: greatsouthernreef.com/news
Read more: greatsouthernreef.com/news
Why do some golden kelp grow faster? In a WA study of 52 individual kelp, blade elongation varied almost fourfold. Eighteen genetic markers predicted about half the variation, suggesting growth may have a genetic component. More testing is needed.
Paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
September 9, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Why do some golden kelp grow faster? In a WA study of 52 individual kelp, blade elongation varied almost fourfold. Eighteen genetic markers predicted about half the variation, suggesting growth may have a genetic component. More testing is needed.
Paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A hidden seed bank for giant kelp? IMAS Researchers detected its DNA in samples from 8 of 13 red seaweed species tested on Tasmanian reefs. Learn more greatsouthernreef.com/news#red-alg...
September 7, 2026 at 10:44 PM
A hidden seed bank for giant kelp? IMAS Researchers detected its DNA in samples from 8 of 13 red seaweed species tested on Tasmanian reefs. Learn more greatsouthernreef.com/news#red-alg...
Could moving kelp-covered rocks give degraded reef habitat a head start? In south-eastern Tasmania, researchers from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies moved 48 boulders from an extensive donor reef to a nearby urchin-degraded area. Story 🔗 greatsouthernreef.com/news#boulder...
September 6, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Could moving kelp-covered rocks give degraded reef habitat a head start? In south-eastern Tasmania, researchers from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies moved 48 boulders from an extensive donor reef to a nearby urchin-degraded area. Story 🔗 greatsouthernreef.com/news#boulder...
Professor Thomas Wernberg @twernberg is one of three finalists for Scientist of the Year in Western Australia’s 2026 Premier’s Science Awards.
We encourage the Great Southern Reef community to support Thomas in the People’s Choice Award. www.wa.gov.au/organisation...
We encourage the Great Southern Reef community to support Thomas in the People’s Choice Award. www.wa.gov.au/organisation...
August 31, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Professor Thomas Wernberg @twernberg is one of three finalists for Scientist of the Year in Western Australia’s 2026 Premier’s Science Awards.
We encourage the Great Southern Reef community to support Thomas in the People’s Choice Award. www.wa.gov.au/organisation...
We encourage the Great Southern Reef community to support Thomas in the People’s Choice Award. www.wa.gov.au/organisation...
Deakin University has received funding from The Ian Potter Foundation to map harmful algal bloom risk across southern Australia. Deakin is recruiting a Research Fellow or Associate Research Fellow. Applications close 31 August. www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/44...
August 25, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Deakin University has received funding from The Ian Potter Foundation to map harmful algal bloom risk across southern Australia. Deakin is recruiting a Research Fellow or Associate Research Fellow. Applications close 31 August. www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/44...
H5 bird flu has now been detected in an Australian mammal for the first time. At this deeply worrying time, we’re thinking of the seals and sea lions across the Great Southern Reef, and everyone working to monitor and protect them.
August 24, 2026 at 10:31 PM
H5 bird flu has now been detected in an Australian mammal for the first time. At this deeply worrying time, we’re thinking of the seals and sea lions across the Great Southern Reef, and everyone working to monitor and protect them.
The Wernberg & Filbee-Dexter Labs have returned to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands to assess how these communities responded to Western Australia’s severe 2025 marine heatwave.
Find out what they saw: ttps://greatsouthernreef.com/abrolhos-expedition-2026
Find out what they saw: ttps://greatsouthernreef.com/abrolhos-expedition-2026
August 23, 2026 at 9:46 PM
The Wernberg & Filbee-Dexter Labs have returned to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands to assess how these communities responded to Western Australia’s severe 2025 marine heatwave.
Find out what they saw: ttps://greatsouthernreef.com/abrolhos-expedition-2026
Find out what they saw: ttps://greatsouthernreef.com/abrolhos-expedition-2026
We’re hiring a Media & Storytelling Officer to help more Australians understand and care about the Great Southern Reef. This role sits at the intersection of marine science, storytelling and journalism. www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/grea...
August 20, 2026 at 5:11 AM
We’re hiring a Media & Storytelling Officer to help more Australians understand and care about the Great Southern Reef. This role sits at the intersection of marine science, storytelling and journalism. www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/grea...
Earlier this week, we shared a glimpse of the deep shelf reefs west of King Island. One fish dominated the footage. Jackass morwong appeared in 94% of 292 baited underwater camera deployments.
Read the full article:
greatsouthernreef.com/zeehan
Footage credit: IMAS, Parks Australia
Read the full article:
greatsouthernreef.com/zeehan
Footage credit: IMAS, Parks Australia
August 18, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Earlier this week, we shared a glimpse of the deep shelf reefs west of King Island. One fish dominated the footage. Jackass morwong appeared in 94% of 292 baited underwater camera deployments.
Read the full article:
greatsouthernreef.com/zeehan
Footage credit: IMAS, Parks Australia
Read the full article:
greatsouthernreef.com/zeehan
Footage credit: IMAS, Parks Australia
The GSR is best known for the kelp forests fringing Australia’s southern coastline. But reef habitat does not end where the kelp disappears.
Learn more in our new article
greatsouthernreef.com/zeehan
Footage Credit: IMAS, Parks Australia
Learn more in our new article
greatsouthernreef.com/zeehan
Footage Credit: IMAS, Parks Australia
August 16, 2026 at 11:09 PM
The GSR is best known for the kelp forests fringing Australia’s southern coastline. But reef habitat does not end where the kelp disappears.
Learn more in our new article
greatsouthernreef.com/zeehan
Footage Credit: IMAS, Parks Australia
Learn more in our new article
greatsouthernreef.com/zeehan
Footage Credit: IMAS, Parks Australia
For many Aussies, what lies beneath the surface remains out of sight and often out of mind. That is what the Great Southern Reef Foundation is working to change. Listen to the full 25-minute episode of ConnectSci's podcast feat. Dr. Scott Bennett connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
August 13, 2026 at 9:53 PM
For many Aussies, what lies beneath the surface remains out of sight and often out of mind. That is what the Great Southern Reef Foundation is working to change. Listen to the full 25-minute episode of ConnectSci's podcast feat. Dr. Scott Bennett connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
How do kelp forests help keep coastal waters healthy?
Learn all about the Great Southern Reef and Australia's kelp forests in the ConnectSci’s It Starts With podcast, GSRF Chair Dr Scott Bennett.
Listen to the full 25-minute episode: connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
Learn all about the Great Southern Reef and Australia's kelp forests in the ConnectSci’s It Starts With podcast, GSRF Chair Dr Scott Bennett.
Listen to the full 25-minute episode: connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
August 11, 2026 at 10:11 PM
How do kelp forests help keep coastal waters healthy?
Learn all about the Great Southern Reef and Australia's kelp forests in the ConnectSci’s It Starts With podcast, GSRF Chair Dr Scott Bennett.
Listen to the full 25-minute episode: connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
Learn all about the Great Southern Reef and Australia's kelp forests in the ConnectSci’s It Starts With podcast, GSRF Chair Dr Scott Bennett.
Listen to the full 25-minute episode: connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
Great Southern Reef Foundation Chair Dr. Scott Bennett recently joined ConnectSci’s It Starts With podcast for a 25-minute conversation about kelp forests and the Great Southern Reef.
connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
August 9, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Great Southern Reef Foundation Chair Dr. Scott Bennett recently joined ConnectSci’s It Starts With podcast for a 25-minute conversation about kelp forests and the Great Southern Reef.
connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
Rare grey morph Southern Right Whale spotted in Spencer Gulf. The whale circled a fisherman's drifting 6.2 metre boat for about 10 minutes.
August 7, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Rare grey morph Southern Right Whale spotted in Spencer Gulf. The whale circled a fisherman's drifting 6.2 metre boat for about 10 minutes.
A thumb-sized fish collected from about 50m in South Australia has been described as a new species. Researchers gave members of this newly recognised genus the common name “sea muppets”. Full story: greatsouthernreef.com/sea-muppets
August 4, 2026 at 10:49 PM
A thumb-sized fish collected from about 50m in South Australia has been described as a new species. Researchers gave members of this newly recognised genus the common name “sea muppets”. Full story: greatsouthernreef.com/sea-muppets
Some of the pressures affecting reefs are difficult to detect using a single monitoring method. Combining eDNA and diver surveys can provide a more complete understanding of reef ecosystems and improve how we monitor and protect the Great Southern Reef. Learn more: greatsouthernreef.com/edna
August 2, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Some of the pressures affecting reefs are difficult to detect using a single monitoring method. Combining eDNA and diver surveys can provide a more complete understanding of reef ecosystems and improve how we monitor and protect the Great Southern Reef. Learn more: greatsouthernreef.com/edna
A major upgrade to Reef Life Explorer has launched today, giving marine managers, researchers & the public a new way to examine how reefs are changing. Users can compare ecological trends in & outside protected areas using a standardised approach.
Explore Reef Life Explorer:
explorer.reeflife.org
Explore Reef Life Explorer:
explorer.reeflife.org
July 28, 2026 at 6:34 AM
A major upgrade to Reef Life Explorer has launched today, giving marine managers, researchers & the public a new way to examine how reefs are changing. Users can compare ecological trends in & outside protected areas using a standardised approach.
Explore Reef Life Explorer:
explorer.reeflife.org
Explore Reef Life Explorer:
explorer.reeflife.org
Beneath the kelp forests of the Great Southern Reef, deep sponge gardens form living habitat on the seafloor. These slow-growing animal forests filter water, shelter marine life and hold species science is still working to name.
July 21, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Beneath the kelp forests of the Great Southern Reef, deep sponge gardens form living habitat on the seafloor. These slow-growing animal forests filter water, shelter marine life and hold species science is still working to name.
Calling all fish nerds. Can you tell which flathead species this is?
Several flathead species found across the Great Southern Reef can look very similar, particularly when their colours and markings help them disappear into seagrass and reef habitat.
What’s your call?
Several flathead species found across the Great Southern Reef can look very similar, particularly when their colours and markings help them disappear into seagrass and reef habitat.
What’s your call?
July 17, 2026 at 5:13 AM
Calling all fish nerds. Can you tell which flathead species this is?
Several flathead species found across the Great Southern Reef can look very similar, particularly when their colours and markings help them disappear into seagrass and reef habitat.
What’s your call?
Several flathead species found across the Great Southern Reef can look very similar, particularly when their colours and markings help them disappear into seagrass and reef habitat.
What’s your call?
Southern calamari stocks have declined in parts of Tasmania, prompting scientists and fishers to work together to better understand where & when these iconic squid spawn.
A new IMAS-led project is combining environmental data, fishery information & local knowledge to better understand the species.
A new IMAS-led project is combining environmental data, fishery information & local knowledge to better understand the species.
July 14, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Southern calamari stocks have declined in parts of Tasmania, prompting scientists and fishers to work together to better understand where & when these iconic squid spawn.
A new IMAS-led project is combining environmental data, fishery information & local knowledge to better understand the species.
A new IMAS-led project is combining environmental data, fishery information & local knowledge to better understand the species.
A new study has examined a method known as “applied nucleation” - a restoration approach where small patches are established in suitable places. Can it help rebuild marine forests over time?
Find out greatsouthernreef.com/small-forests
Find out greatsouthernreef.com/small-forests
July 12, 2026 at 10:01 PM
A new study has examined a method known as “applied nucleation” - a restoration approach where small patches are established in suitable places. Can it help rebuild marine forests over time?
Find out greatsouthernreef.com/small-forests
Find out greatsouthernreef.com/small-forests
A new review brings together decades of research on crown-of-thorns starfish and longspined sea urchins, showing that preventing outbreaks and barrens before they become established is far more effective than responding after widespread reef degradation has occurred.
doi.org/10.1071/MF25...
doi.org/10.1071/MF25...
July 9, 2026 at 11:05 PM
A new review brings together decades of research on crown-of-thorns starfish and longspined sea urchins, showing that preventing outbreaks and barrens before they become established is far more effective than responding after widespread reef degradation has occurred.
doi.org/10.1071/MF25...
doi.org/10.1071/MF25...
On Friday we welcomed a strong community turnout to the opening of the Yorke Peninsula Reef Resilience Photo & Art Showcase. Congrats to our People's Choice student award winners:
🏆 Primary Winner: Maeve Tilbrook, Self Portrait (Year 1)
🏆 Secondary Winner: Lauren McIntosh, Ocean Trio (Year 12)
🏆 Primary Winner: Maeve Tilbrook, Self Portrait (Year 1)
🏆 Secondary Winner: Lauren McIntosh, Ocean Trio (Year 12)
July 5, 2026 at 10:12 PM
On Friday we welcomed a strong community turnout to the opening of the Yorke Peninsula Reef Resilience Photo & Art Showcase. Congrats to our People's Choice student award winners:
🏆 Primary Winner: Maeve Tilbrook, Self Portrait (Year 1)
🏆 Secondary Winner: Lauren McIntosh, Ocean Trio (Year 12)
🏆 Primary Winner: Maeve Tilbrook, Self Portrait (Year 1)
🏆 Secondary Winner: Lauren McIntosh, Ocean Trio (Year 12)