Science on an island sanctuary: Surveying Ashmore Reef Marine Park
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Oceans and Atmosphere
Published: 29 April 2020
Surveys of Ashmore Reef reveal healthy corals, diverse fish, and thriving seabirds, but sea snakes are nearly gone. Invasive ants, geckos, and weeds pose major risks, making ongoing monitoring vital.
Keywords: Ashmore Reef, coral reefs, sea snakes, invasive species, seabirds, marine biodiversity, ecosystem monitoring
Sink or Swim: mismatch between land and seafloor debris revealed in global study
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Oceans and Atmosphere
Published: 6 May 2020
Global surveys show shoreline and seafloor debris differ: lightweight items drift away, while bags and fishing gear sink and entangle. Findings stress need for both land and underwater data to guide policy.
Keywords: marine debris, seafloor surveys, citizen science, plastic pollution, ghost gear, waste management, coastal ecosystems
Lower Lakes water management informed by evidence-based science – Independent review finds
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Oceans and Atmosphere
Published: 12 May 2020
A CSIRO-led review confirms the Lower Lakes were mostly fresh before European settlement. With climate change and reduced inflows, managing CLLMM grows harder, requiring adaptation to protect ecology, culture, and agriculture.
Keywords: Murray–Darling Basin, Lower Lakes, Coorong, climate change, water management, Ngarrindjeri, ecological adaptation
