Everyone knows the Great Barrier Reef is in peril. But a continent away, Western Australia's Shark Bay is also threatened by marine heatwaves that could alter this World Heritage ecosystem forever.
The sediments that accumulate beneath seagrass meadows can act as secure vaults for shipwrecks and other precious artefacts, by stopping water and oxygen from damaging the delicate timbers.
Sydney’s iconic beaches are not yet part of a marine park.
John Turnbull
The New South Wales government has turned its back on plans to create sanctuary zones covering 2.4% of waters around Sydney, despite evidence that these 'no-take' areas are crucial for protecting fish.
Getting up close and personal can make you like sharks more, even if you already like them.
Juan Oliphant
Sharks have a PR problem. But new research shows that shark ecotourism programs boost people's knowledge and attitudes towards shark conservation – even among those who are green-minded to begin with.
Marine heatwaves can kill off species and alter ecosystems.
(Shutterstock)
Biologists are finding new evidence that these ocean invertebrate grazers don't just ingest whatever they catch. They can actually be picky eaters – and their choices might influence ocean food webs.
Juvenile blue tang sheltering in restored staghorn coral.
Mark Ladd
Deron Burkepile, University of California, Santa Barbara dan Mark C. Ladd, University of California, Santa Barbara
With coral reefs in crisis around the world, many organizations are working to restore them by growing and transplanting healthy corals. A new study spotlights techniques that help restored reefs thrive.
The CSIRO has provided new estimates of population sizes for White Sharks in Australian waters.
Fiona Ayerst/Shutterstock
How many shark encounters have there been at your local beach? Explore our interactive map to see 20 years of incidents between humans and sharks in coastal waters around Australia.
Oysters can do a lot more than they’re given credit for.
Oysters aren't just good for a feed. They also give a vital boost to coastal ecosystems, which is why efforts are underway to restore Australia's once-abundant oyster reefs to their former glory.
Giant triton molluscs are a useful ally in battling the coral-grazing crown-of-thorns starfish.
AAP Image/AIMS, K Goodbun
The federal government's new funding aims to spread the net wide in investigating possible ways to protect the Great Barrier Reef's corals. Winning this battle will require a wide range of weapons.
The mouth of the Murray River delivers vital nutrients to marine life in the ocean beyond.
SA Water
Low flows in the Murray River in recent years have harmed tiny marine plants called phytoplankton, with consequences for local marine species and management.
When the usual way of doing things is flipped around, students can benefit.
Shutterstock
Coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef could lead to increased vulnerability of Queensland coastal cities and towns, and not only through its impacts on the tourism industry.
Japan's fleet is on its way to the Southern Ocean for more "scientific" whaling. But a new resolution pointing out the importance of whale poo could help remove Japan's rationale for lethal research.
A researcher taking a photo-identification shot of a whale shark.
(C) Peter Verhoog, Dutch Shark Society