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December 2024 | View previous edition
Hi
Welcome to our final edition of Waypoint for 2024.
From the latest Great Barrier Reef survey results to AIMS' certification as a trusted data repository - this edition covers the latest news and updates from Australia's tropical marine science agency.
Wishing you a merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2025!
News from AIMS
New research shows marine heatwaves have hidden depths
Researchers are developing their understanding of the 3D structure of damaging marine heatwaves using observations and models.
Offshore oil and gas infrastructure brings localised, but limited regional benefits for marine organisms
New research has found the presence of oil and gas structures has low impact on the dispersal processes and long-term persistence of some species.
Coral reef fish running out of time to recover at Great Barrier Reef Islands
There is concerning new evidence of long-term declines in coral reef fish around highly visited inshore islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
Global warming threat to whale sharks
An international study has found whale sharks and ships are more likely to collide by the end of the century due to climate change.
Great Barrier Reef surveys begin to reveal impacts of 2024 summer
AIMS' routine monitoring surveys are revealing the impacts of the hot, challenging summer on the Great Barrier Reef in early 2024.
Long-Term Monitoring Program
Surveys from our Long-Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) so far show significant coral mortality on reefs hardest hit by the mass bleaching event and cyclones.
Levels of coral loss seen so far varies between reefs and largely reflect the exposure of reefs to the summer disturbances and the thermal tolerance of their communities.
Our Long-Term Monitoring Program team continue to survey reefs along the length and breadth of the Reef. We will deliver the full report on the condition and trends of coral reef condition in August 2025.
Interim manta tow reports on coral cover for the following sectors:
Initial Great Barrier Reef monitoring results show coral mortality in north due to bleaching and cyclones
Subscribe to the Back from the Reef newsletter to stay up-to-date with survey results from the LTMP.
Coral spawning success for AIMS in 2024
It was late nights and all hands on deck for our Great Barrier Reef coral spawning activities this year!
Teams progressed their research on coral aquaculture and enhancing heat tolerance in corals in SeaSim, while others spent time on the water to train and build capacity in Traditional Owner groups, tourism and other Reef industries in different restoration approaches.
The work will continue over the coming months as young corals are delivered onto the Reef and their progress is monitored.
Dive into our Reef spawning stories!
WATCH:
Award-winning project showcases fishers' collaboration to aid research on endangered species
Scientists and experienced professional fishers worked together to learn more about endangered sawfish in the Northern Territory through tag and release and DNA collection.
'Project Sawfish', a partnership involving Northern Territory Seafood Council (NTSC), AIMS, and the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods at Charles Darwin University recently won the Research Development and Extension award at the 2024 National Seafood Industry Awards, and was featured on ABC's Landline program.
it was supported by the Australian Government through Our Marine Parks program Marine Parks Grant funding.
No one holds the whole story...
.... when it comes to ensuring fish for the future.
We are thrilled to have worked with the MinggaMingga, Yunbenun and Girringun Rangers in developing fish monitoring skills and methods around Orpheus Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Integrated Reef Fish Monitoring Program is a 2-year program between Ranger groups, government agencies, and universities to promote reliable long-term monitoring data of fish populations by sea Country Ranger groups.
In The Conversation
AIMS' Dr Carly Randall, Bob Muir and Dr Craig Steinberg joined collaborators in writing for The Conversation.
AIMS data internationally certified
We are pleased to announce we have achieved the internationally-recognised CoreTrustSeal certification as a trusted data repository.
Our data repository collects, stores, and makes data available for research, both within AIMS and externally, over the long term.
AIMS' Communications Team Wins Big in Bali
AIMS’ communication team was recognised for their strategic planning, creativity and business results in promoting science outputs from the Long Term Monitoring Program winning the best Media Relations and Influencers Campaign at the World Public Relations and Communication Awards in Bali, Indonesia.
John Liston, AIMS communication manager, received the award from Boy Kelana Soebroto, the General Chair of PERHUMAS - Indonesia’s Public Relations Association.
Hosted by the Global Alliance, the World Public Relations and Communication Awards is a global competition celebrating the most outstanding national and international public relations and communication management programmes and case studies.
AIMS @ UWA Research Symposium
Post graduate students from the University of Western Australia shared and exchanged valuable science learnings at the AIMS@UWA Research Symposium hosted by UWA Oceans Institute and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
PhD Candidates Clelia Mula (left) and Molly-Mae Baker and masters student Ellie Cameron (right) presented their latest research to marine science colleagues at the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre in Perth.
Clelia studies macroalgae soundscapes at Ningaloo Reef; Molly-Mae is investigating the growth and survival of baby corals; and Ellie’s research involves symbiont communities across offshore West Australian reefs.
The AIMS@UWA Alliance is a collaboration between our two leading marine institutions and focuses on providing support for postgraduate students and early career researchers in tropical marine science.
AIMS in the spotlight
- Indigenous rangers partner with scientists to restore Great Barrier Reef | National Indigenous Times
- New research sheds light on impact of offshore oil and gas infrastructure on marine life | Petroleum Australia
Get social!
- Follow AIMS on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube
- Follow SeaSim on X and LinkedIn
- Follow ReefWorks on LinkedIn
- Sign up for regular survey updates from AIMS' Great Barrier Reef Long-Term Monitoring team
