Special Recent Posts
Coral reefs ‘ruled by earthquakes and volcanoes’
Titanic forces in the Earth’s crust explain why the abundance and richness of corals varies dramatically across the vast expanse of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, a world-first study from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (CoECRS) has found.
Coral reefs' collapse isn't inevitable, researchers say
Coral reefs are in decline, but their collapse can still be avoided with local and global action. That's according to findings reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on May 9th based on an analysis that combines the latest science on reef dynamics with the latest climate models.
Scientists call for large ocean wilderness parks
Leading international marine scientists have called for the protection of more, large marine wilderness areas in a bid to shield the world’s dwindling stocks of fish from destruction.
Remote reefs can be tougher than they look
Western Australia’s Scott Reef has recovered from mass bleaching in 1998. Isolated coral reefs can recover from catastrophic damage as effectively as those with nearby undisturbed neighbours, a long-term study by marine biologists has shown.
Community Power 'Can Rescue Failing Fish Stocks'
Traditional community-run marine reserves and fisheries can play a big role in helping to restore and maintain fish numbers in stressed developing nations’ coral reef fisheries.
Climate ‘brings opportunities and threats to the Pacific’
Climate change will bring both big opportunities and threats to the fish-dependent nations of the Pacific, international scientists say.
Tiny plants devour reefs in warming, acidic oceans
A world-first scientific study has found that, weakened by microscopic borers, the world’s coral reefs will erode more rapidly as the oceans warm and acidify.
‘Blood Test’ for Crook Corals
Using a world-first scientific discovery, Australian researchers are developing a stress-test for coral, to measure how coral reefs are being impacted by pressures from climate change and human activity.
Nesting site protection ‘key to save turtles from climate change’
International marine scientists today warned it will be vital to protect key marine turtle nesting grounds and areas that may be suitable for turtle nesting in the future to ensure that the marine reptiles have a better chance of withstanding climate change.
Crabs help reef fight deadly disease
A particular species of crab has been helping Great Barrier Reef coral combat white syndrome, a deadly disease that causes coral tissue to disintegrate.
Tiny reef speedster challenges tuna in the ocean sprint
Tiny coral reef wrasses can swim as fast as some of the swiftest fish in the ocean – but using only half as much energy to do so, Australian scientists working on the Great Barrier Reef have found.
Ocean acidification upsets the acid-base balance of corals
Researchers in Monaco and Australia have solved a key part of the mystery surrounding why ocean acidification slows down the growth of reef-building corals.
China’s corals facing ‘wicked problem’
China’s coral reefs have suffered a devastating 80 per cent decline in recent decades, driven mainly by the country’s unrestrained economic development, according to a new international scientific study.
Scary news for corals - from the Ice Age
There is growing scientific concern that corals could retreat from equatorial seas and oceans as the Earth continues to warm, a team of international marine researchers warned today.
Fish parasite a drag
Using a fish treadmill and moulded plastic parasites, researchers from The Australian National University have found that the energy cost to fish from externally-attached parasites is mostly due to drag, rather than physiological effects.
Marine reserves ‘must adapt to climate change’
Australia can be a world leader in designing marine reserves that keep pace with changes in the climate and human activity and still successfully protect their sea life, a leading marine scientist said today.
Humanity urged to make best use of 'borrowed' time
Australia can be a world leader in designing marine reserves that keep pace with changes in the climate and human activity and still successfully protect their sea life, a leading marine scientist said today.
Naïve fish: easy targets for spear fishers
The latest research by an Australian team working in the Philippines into the effects of marine reserves has found there is an unexpected windfall awaiting fishers who obey the rules and respect reserve boundaries – in the form of big, innocent fish wandering out of the reserve.
Historic coral collapse on Great Barrier Reef
Australian marine scientists have unearthed evidence of an historic coral collapse in Queensland’s Palm Islands following development on the nearby mainland.
Discovery of mega-rich coral biodiversity in Aceh, Indonesia
The first ever survey of coral biodiversity in the Indonesian province of Aceh by has revealed high levels of endemism and a species richness comparable to that in the Coral Triangle. The research suggest an initiative similar to the Coral Triangle Initiative is required to protect the unique fauna of the Andaman Sea.
Researchers find ‘killer solution’ for a reef killer
An Australia-based team of marine scientists has developed what may prove an effective control for the dreaded Crown of Thorns starfish (COTS), which periodically ravages coral reefs across the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Climate is changing the Great Barrier Reef
Satellite measurement of sea surface temperatures has yielded clear evidence of major changes taking place in the waters of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef over the past 25 years, marine scientists have found.
Seafood caution as Ciguatera attacks rise
In a paper published in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, a team of international marine scientists has reported a 60 per cent increase in the incidence of cases of Ciguatera poisoning among people living in Pacific Island nations.
Sea life 'facing major shock'
Life in the world’s oceans faces far greater change and risk of large-scale extinctions than at any previous time in human history, a team of the world’s leading marine scientists has warned.
New study helps predict impact of ocean acidification on shellfish
An international study to understand and predict the likely impact of ocean acidification on shellfish and other marine organisms living in seas from the tropics to the poles is published this week in the journal Global Change Biology.
Our coral reefs: In trouble - but tougher than we thought
Coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Great Barrier Reef, recover faster from major stresses than their Caribbean counterparts, leading marine scientists said today.
New book inspires children to protect Dugongs
Australia’s children are being enlisted in the fight to save dugongs from the multiple threats of coastal development, climate change, and environmental pollution, thanks to the creative mind of marine biologist Dr Mariana Fuentes.
“We can still save our reefs": Coral Scientist
John Pandolfi keeps his optimism alive despite the grim scientific evidence he confronts daily that the world’s coral reefs are in a lot of trouble – along with 81 nations and 500 million people who depend on them.
Save what remains of our reefs, scientists urge
With coral reefs around the world in rapid decline, it is imperative we make every effort to save the rest, say the world’s most top marine researchers, who are gathered this week in Australia for the 12th International Coral Reef Symposium.
Food security at risk in coral countries
Safeguarding food security in the Coral Triangle, the region embracing six nations and 350 million people to Australia’s north, is a key focus at an international meeting in Cairns today.
Fish learn to cope in a high CO2 world
Some coral reef fish may be better prepared to cope with rising CO2 in the world’s oceans – thanks to their parents.
Caribbean wins the seaweed Olympics
A new study finds that Caribbean seaweeds are far better competitors than their equivalents in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Australia 'has two distinct white shark populations'
A new scientific study has identified two distinct populations of white shark at the east and west of Bass Strait in Australian waters, prompting researchers to suggest the huge fish may need regional conservation plans.
Coral: Rekindling Venus film and Rise song launch
Coral: Rekindling Venus film and Rise song launch
Marine reserves provide baby bonus to fisheries
An international team of scientists has gathered the first conclusive evidence that marine reserves can help restock exploited fish populations on neighbouring reefs which are open to both commercial and recreational fishing.
Weed-eating fish 'help protect jobs, livelihoods'
Jobs, livelihoods and ecotourism industries can benefit from having a diverse supply of weed-eating fish on the world’s coral reefs, marine researchers say.
Call to save Australia's disappearing sea snakes
Jobs, livelihoods and ecotourism industries can benefit from having a diverse supply of weed-eating fish on the world’s coral reefs, marine researchers say.
Coral reef winners and losers in a warmer world
There are winners and losers among corals under the accumulating impacts of climate change, according to a new scientific study.
CO2 'is messing with coral skeletons'
An international scientific team has carried out the world’s first analysis of the impact of ocean acidification on every gene in the coral genome, throwing new light on the likely fate of corals under climate change.
Corals 'could survive a more acidic ocean'
Corals may be better placed to cope with the gradual acidification of the world’s oceans than previously thought – giving rise to hopes that coral reefs might escape climatic devastation.
