The latest news from the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
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February 2026 | View previous edition
Hi
Welcome to Waypoint!
It’s summer in Australia – a season when cyclones, rainfall and marine heatwaves can all impact our tropical oceans. As such, we see increased demand for the oceanographic data collected by AIMS and its partners.
Not all data requires our scientists to get in the water. We also use a network of interlinking weather stations, moorings, buoys, autonomous submersibles and other sensor-loaded devices strategically deployed around our tropical coast. The information fed back is analysed and interpreted by a team of oceanographers.
Learn more about their work in our story below.
But first... watch as Cyclone Debbie approached our Hardy Reef station in 2017. Extreme weather is just one of the many challenges we face to keep the data flowing.
In this edition of Waypoint we also...
- meet the latest marine science pioneers to receive the AIMS Medal
- update on the successful deployment of this spawning season's baby corals to the Great Barrier Reef
- learn about endangered turtles on the Tiwi Islands
Keeping an eye on Australia’s reefs from afar
“The instruments we use operate in difficult environments and can get damaged – a tenacious barnacle can ruin months of data.”
Discover how AIMS oceanographers overcome remote locations, extreme weather, and marine wildlife to build a better understanding of our oceans.
AIMS pioneers honoured
Image (left to right): Dr Beth Woods (Chair, AIMS Council), Libby Evans-Illidge, Dr Katharina Fabricius, Professor Selina Stead (CEO, AIMS)
Libby Evans-Illidge and Dr Katharina Fabricius were this month awarded the AIMS Medal for 2025 in an event at AIMS' Townsville headquarters.
Libby Evans-Illidge
a pioneer in partnering with Indigenous Australians
Dr Katharina Fabricius
an international leader in coral reef ecology
News from AIMS
Scientists, Traditional Owners and Rangers on the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, are partnering to understand the risks to threatened marine turtles and track their movements.
The purpose-built mid-sized autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) is believed to be a world-first.
New study by Indonesian marine scientist Dr Widiastuti, supported by AIMS researchers, reveals that coral settlement tiles can be made from low-cost clay and common waste materials.
AIMS Impact
AIMS and ANSTO research helps manage the risk of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) and mercury contaminants in offshore decommissioning.
Strictly socials
See how our busy ReefWorks team take advantage of the quieter summer months ☀️🛠️ LinkedIn (ReefWorks)
Sharks! But tiny and adorable ones 😍 Find out how they spent their time at SeaSim. Facebook
Update: Baby corals go out to the Reef
Last Waypoint, we featured the Pilot Deployments Program, a major effort by AIMS and our partners to test reef restoration tools at scale on the Great Barrier Reef.
With spawning season activities now concluded, check out some updates below.
The next stage of our reef restoration research will monitor the corals in their new home using photogrammetry 3D imaging, genetic tools, and observations in the field.
The Pilot Deployments Program is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, and led by the Australian Institute of Marine Science. It is part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, funded by the partnership between the Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
AIMS in the news
- Australia turns to AI to help revive dying coral reefs | Taiwan Plus
Get social!
- Follow AIMS on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube
- Follow SeaSim on X, LinkedIn and BlueSky
- Follow ReefWorks on LinkedIn
- Sign up for regular survey updates from AIMS' Great Barrier Reef Long-Term Monitoring team
