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James Cook University’s TropWATER Research Centre works with communities, industries and governments to apply science-based solutions to protect, manage and restore ecosystems across northern Australia.

08/10/2026

These fish are back, but different 🐟 New research shows that fish abundance in previously damaged seagrass meadows in Cairns have returned to pre-disturbance levels – but the types of fish living in the meadows have changed.

The study analysed over 30 years of beam trawl data to show how fish communities have changed through the periods of damage and recovery of seagrass meadows in Cairns Harbour.

They found that while some species returned to the meadows after disturbance, others have not come back.

Read the full story: https://www.tropwater.com/news-1/cairns-seagrass-meadows-have-recovered-but-are-now-home-to-different-fish?utm_source=facebook

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation JCU: James Cook University, Australia Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Fisheries Queensland

05/10/2026

Our next webinar will explore new research that shows encouraging news for water quality across many rivers that flow to the Great Barrier Reef.

1-2pm AEST, Wednesday 14 October: Water quality and fertiliser trends across Great Barrier Reef catchments

Hear from the research team about what the findings mean and how they reflect collective efforts on the ground by farmers, extension officers, catchment managers, and government to improve water quality.

Join us online next week: https://www.tropwater.com/event-details/episode-10-water-quality-and-fertiliser-trends-across-great-barrier-reef-catchments?utm_source=facebook

This National Environmental Science Program research project was co-led by James Cook University TropWATER and the CSIRO.

NESP Marine and Coastal Hub CSIRO JCU: James Cook University, Australia

30/09/2026

Years of collaborative efforts to reduce erosion and improve water quality along the Mary River by the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee and partners were featured in this story from the latest episode of Landline.

Our researchers are proud to support several projects that improve water quality and support sustainable land management through the Mary Integrated Project, funded by the Queensland Reef and Catchment Water Quality Program.

Watch the story on Landline: https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/programs/landline/2026-09-27/mary-river-recovery-quiet-revolution-rehabilitating-catchment/107191268

29/09/2026

Congratulations to Darcy Philpott on being awarded the Ernest Hodgkin Estuary Research Prize for Best Presentation at the Australian Marine Sciences Association conference earlier this month!

Darcy’s award-winning presentation showcased her work investigating the fish communities found in seagrass meadows within major ports along the northeast Queensland coast. Using eDNA metabarcoding, Darcy revealed trends within each port and across the broader region.

Darcy will soon be known as Dr Philpott, having recently submitted her PhD thesis with JCU TropWATER supported by a scholarship from North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation – well done, Darcy!

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation JCU: James Cook University, Australia Australian Marine Sciences Association

22/09/2026

Have you ever wondered about what environmental DNA can do – or cannot do? Its strengths, possibilities, or how the techniques work?

Ask us your eDNA questions in the comments 👇 to be answered in an upcoming blog by our eDNA lab team.

For a quick look at the basics of eDNA, check out our Explainer: https://www.tropwater.com/news-1/explainer-edna?utm_source=facebook

16/09/2026

Who's eating who? 🦈

Mapping seagrass meadows is only half the story for our Biodiversity Conservation project. Now we're tracking who relies on them.

Biopixel Oceans Foundation (BOF) is leading this next phase in partnership with Dawul Wuru and Jabalbina Land & Sea Rangers, using stable isotopes to trace the inshore food web – basically working out who eats whom, and how seagrass connects them all.

We're also tagging larger sharks and rays to track their movements through these meadows. So far, we've tagged 21 animals with acoustic tags across Cooya Beach and Double Island, seeing some beautiful animals including a marble ray, a large shovelnose ray, and a lemon shark.

Meet Alan 🛰️ Last week, the BOF and Jabalbina Ranger teams fitted the first satellite tag to a hammerhead shark, named by the Rangers, off the Cooya Beach seagrass meadow. You can follow Alan's movements live at biotracker.tv.

Acoustic tags are picked up by a network of receivers in the water, catching a glimpse of how sharks and other large animals use these habitats over time. Every tag and sample adds to a growing picture of just how much biodiversity these inshore meadows support.

More tagging is still to come as we find out who else is calling these coastal meadows home.

This work is supported by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements Biodiversity Conservation Program.

Learn more about this project: https://www.tropwater.com/projects/seagrass-recovery-and-food-web-monitoring-with-rangers-in-northeast-queensland?utm_source=facebook

Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation Biopixel Oceans Foundation JCU: James Cook University, Australia National Emergency Management Agency Queensland Reconstruction Authority Queensland Environment

15/09/2026

Our latest surveys in far north Queensland for our Biodiversity Conservation project are showing the best seagrass recovery we've seen since Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit the northern Great Barrier Reef coastline in late 2023.

We're monitoring four seagrass meadows between Bloomfield and Yarrabah with Traditional Owner Land & Sea Ranger partners, tracking recovery of inshore marine ecosystems after the cyclone.

Post-wet season 2026 surveys found healthy, thriving seagrass across all four meadows. This is despite wet season rainfall and reduced water quality inshore, and the time of year seagrass is usually at its worst.

It's a strong sign of natural recovery; give seagrass time, and it can repair itself.

Without this monitoring, we wouldn't have known restoration wasn't needed at this time.

Pre-wet season surveys have now kicked off with Rangers at Kangkiji Beach, recording further growth and a 6th species in this reef-top meadow. Wuru, and Rangers are up next, surveying the remaining meadows as seagrass hits its annual peak.

This project is also building Ranger capacity to run these surveys independently on Country in the future. Long-term monitoring of these meadows would mean knowing when things are changing for the worse, and when it's time to step in and help.

Thanks to the Australian and Queensland Governments for their support through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements Biodiversity Conservation Program 🌊

Learn more about this project: https://www.tropwater.com/projects/seagrass-recovery-and-food-web-monitoring-with-rangers-in-northeast-queensland?utm_source=facebook

Dabu Jajikal Aboriginal Corporation Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation Gunggandji Aboriginal Corporation JCU: James Cook University, Australia National Emergency Management Agency Queensland Reconstruction Authority Queensland Environment

09/09/2026

Seagrass meadows are thriving in Weipa 🚁

We’ve been surveying seagrass around Weipa for over 25 years as part of our long-term partnership with North Queensland Bulk Ports.

Learn more about how the partnership is supporting responsible ports practices: https://www.tropwater.com/projects/long-term-monitoring-for-port-industries%3A-coral%2C-water-quality%2C-seagrass%2C-and-biodiversity?utm_source=facebook

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation JCU: James Cook University, Australia

07/09/2026

The first region-wide dugong survey of the Gulf of Carpentaria in 18 years has raised concerns for dugong populations.

While dugong numbers were steady in waters of the Northern Territory, significantly fewer dugongs were found on the Queensland side of the Gulf, with just 63 individuals recorded compared to 240 in the 2007 surveys.

But the 18-year gap between Gulf-wide surveys makes it challenging to determine causes for the change, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring.

“We cannot wait another 18 years for the next Gulf-wide survey,” said TropWATER’s Dr Chris Cleguer. “Just as importantly, we need to support Traditional Owners to lead ongoing monitoring of dugongs and Sea Country between these regional surveys.”

Read the full story: https://www.tropwater.com/news-1/latest-survey-raises-concerns-for-dugong-populations-in-the-gulf-of-carpentaria?utm_source=facebook

This project was funded by the Australian Government through the National Environmental Science Program and the Queensland Government, with the survey coordinated by James Cook University TropWATER and Charles Darwin University’s Northern Institute.

📷 Danielle Cagnazzi, Rachel Groom, and TropWATER

Northern Institute JCU: James Cook University, Australia NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment Queensland Environment

02/09/2026

Marine knowledge sharing is happening right now in Canberra – from connecting communities for dugong conservation to coastal water quality to surveying coral condition and more.

Twenty-two of our researchers are presenting at the Australian Marine Sciences Association annual conference this week, sharing their latest work with experts from across the region.

Some of our ongoing industry projects are featured in a session dedicated to future-ready ports, chaired by TropWATER’s Dr Paula Cartwright and supported by our long-term partnership with North Queensland Bulk Ports. This work brings together science, industry, and communities to support environmental stewardship, informed decision-making, and sustainable outcomes for our coastal ecosystems.

Events like this are valuable opportunities to connect with other marine science specialists and environmental stewards to share the latest research, best practices, and future directions.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation JCU: James Cook University, Australia Australian Marine Sciences Association

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Kirwan, QLD

Telephone

+61747814262

Website

http://www.TropWATER.com/

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