Sea Change Australia

Why haven't brown tiger prawn numbers bounced back, even with sustainable fishing? New CSIRO research published in Science explores this, and it's not about fishing pressure. It's about a cascade of climate events, warmer temperatures, stronger cyclones, murkier water, and damaged seagrass, that have fundamentally shifted the ecosystem.

Compound climate events threaten tropical semi-enclosed marine ecosystems Anthropogenic ocean warming affects ecosystem functioning but is not necessarily the primary climate driver regulating tropical seas. Tropical semi-enclosed marine ecosystems are poorly understood, geographically distinct, and influenced by compounding ...

Changing environmental conditions can sometimes present new opportunities for business 🌊

A recent question on our Q&A platform asked "What is an emerging business opportunity for range extending species?".

Our expert, Dr Jennifer Smith, told us all about the opportunities presented with harvesting the east coast range extender, long spined sea urchins.

Emerging business opportunities and range extending species What is an emerging business opportunity for range extending species?

Honours and masters projects at IMAS Discover IMAS research projects, from honour degree to master of research in marine ecology, biodiversity, fisheries, aquaculture, Antarctic, Oceans & cryosphere. Contact us now!

Changing ocean conditions will impact our shellfish populations - but the impacts aren't always consistent across species.

A recent question on our Q&A platform asked about the impacts of climate change on shellfish populations, and why species tolerate changing ocean conditions differently.

Our expert, Jess Ericson, provided some insights into what's going on!

Species specific responses to climate change Why are some shelfish species doing okay with climate change and others not? How are shellfish species impacted by climate change?

As ocean conditions change, species distributions and abundance are changing too. Large numbers of sardines are present in Bass Strait, alongside tuna, raising important questions about future fishing opportunities and how they should be managed.

A recent question submitted by a recreational fisher to the Sea Change Australia Q&A platform asked: "If a sardine fishery is opened, how can it be managed sustainably and ensure that recreational fishers targeting tuna won't be disadvantaged?"

Fisheries scientist Dr Tim Ward explains how ecosystem-based fisheries management, precautionary harvest strategies, and lessons from existing Australian sardine fisheries could help support both sustainability and community benefits.

The answer also includes links to key reports, management plans, and resources for those wanting to learn more. 🔗 Read the full question and answer on the Sea Change Australia Q&A platform: https://seachangeaustralia.org/question/untitled/

Can a sardine fishery be sustainable and fair for recreational fishers targeting tuna? Due to changes in ocean conditions, sardines are now present in Bass Strait in large number, as are tuna. If a sardine fishery is opened, how can it be best […]

Worth a look for anyone working on-or just interested in -climate risk.

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) is the global body that assesses the state of climate science and synthesises evidence to inform policy. This webinar from the NESP Climate Systems Hub looks behind the scenes at how that process actually works: how evidence is assessed, how different perspectives are handled, and how consensus is reached. Relevant well beyond the IPCC community, but particularly useful for those thinking about risks in all things marine, including fisheries and aquaculture.

Sea Change Australia lead Gretta Pecl is involved in the current IPCC Working Group II process, and says conversations like this are a useful way to connect global assessments with what they mean in practice, including for the kinds of challenges Sea Change Australia engages with.

WEBINAR Behind the World's Climate Report: Insider Perspectives from the IPCC - CSIRO Register now Price Free Event date and time Wednesday 17 Jun 2026 1.00pm to 2.00pm AEST Location Online virtual event Login details will be emailed to registrants The work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, better known as the IPCC, is considered one of the most comprehensive, rigorou...

Worth a watch!

In case you missed it…

Dr John Ackerman, CEO of Seafood Industry Australia, was featured on Landline this past Sunday, discussing the importance of Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) for seafood in the hospitality sector.

From 1 July 2026, hospitality businesses will be required to identify the country of origin of seafood on menus and menu boards, helping consumers make informed choices about the seafood they purchase.

🎥 Watch the Landline episode here:
https://iview.abc.net.au/video/RF2504Q015S00

Were you impacted by the 2024/2025 marine heatwave?

A new article in Oceanography documents the impacts of this heatwave on Australia's oceans.

If the 2024/25 marine heatwave changed the way you operate, we want to hear your story. Share it in the Share Your Knowledge section of Sea Change Australia:

https://seachangeaustralia.org/climate-toolbox/share-your-knowledge/

And if you have questions about marine heatwaves, submit them through our Fishing for Climate Answers Q&A platform and one of our experts will respond directly:

https://seachangeaustralia.org/qa-platform/

Read the full article here:
https://tos.org/oceanography/assets/docs/39-1-hobday.pdf