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July 2022 | View previous edition
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Waypoint is AIMS' newsletter, delivering a regular selection of AIMS news and achievements directly to your inbox. We hope you enjoy our latest addition.
2021 / 22 Long-Term Monitoring Program Report
The central and northern Great Barrier Reef record highest coral cover in 36 years. Coral cover has decreased in the south due to coral-eating starfish, as reported in our annual Long-Term Monitoring Program Annual Summary Report on Coral Reef Condition for 2021/22.
Image: Grace Frank
Effects of 2022 bleaching event
Bleaching isn’t always a death sentence for corals.
Coral bleaching is a result of prolonged heat stress. It’s not only how warm the water temperatures get, but for how long the water stays that warm.
The 2022 mass bleaching event differed to the 2016, 2017 and 2020 events, because overall it was less intense. Accumulated heat was at a level we would expect bleaching, but coral death is unlikely.
The increased frequency of mass coral bleaching events has driven the Reef into unknown territory. This year’s bleaching event was the fourth in seven years and the first to occur during a cooler La Niña year.
AIMS is working to understand these effects of climate change through long-term, large-scale monitoring & research.
Image: Linnet Reef, Northern GBR, LTMP
Hard coral increase due to fast-growing corals
This year AIMS' Long-Term Monitoring Program recorded the highest levels of hard coral cover in 36 years. Coral cover continued to be driven by the fast-growing table and branching corals (Acropora).
Whilst much of the reef is in a period of growth and recovery, these gains can be quickly lost from disturbances.
This was seen in the southern region of the Reef, where coral cover gains last year, were lost this year due to crown-of-thorns starfish.
Celebrating 50 years of AIMS
Marking 50 years with the AIMS Symposium
It was a golden anniversary celebration of science last week as AIMS staff gathered in person and virtually at the AIMS Symposium to mark 50 years as Australia's tropical marine research agency.
The two-day hybrid event - in person in Townsville, and online for our staff across the country -was an opportunity to reflect on the value and relevance of 50 years of AIMS’ science for the nation, and the importance of our people, to the past and future.
Acting Chief Operations Officer Dr Richard Brinkman said, despite the ongoing challenges of COVID, the symposium was a wonderful way for the AIMS community to gather and recognise AIMS' impact on understanding tropical marine ecosystems.
“We provide solutions to ensure the ongoing health and prosperity of Australia’s tropical marine estate,” he said. “To come together from across our three locations to celebrate our collective achievements, is a wonderful way to crystallise our focus on science for tomorrow’s oceans.”
Images: Department Secretary Mr David Fredericks addresses the Symposium
Attendees enjoyed a Welcome to Country and cultural dance from the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts, before opening remarks from CEO Dr Paul Hardisty, and the recently appointed Chair of AIMS Council Dr Beth Woods followed by Plenary from Professor Madeleine van Oppen.
Alumni and staff presented snapshots on the rich history of AIMS, and shared their vision for the future of AIMS’ science. The event showcased our aspirations in key areas of Traditional Owner partnerships, support for decision-making, and our world-leading infrastructure including the National Sea Simulator.
The Department Secretary Mr David Fredericks also addressed the Symposium before departing to visit the AIMS Townsville site. Like AIMS he has moved across from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources to the newly formed Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Other guest speakers included AIMS Post Retirement Fellow Dr Terry Done, Professor Chris Battershill and Dr Catherine Lovelock.
Spectacular sculptures of marine life made from ghost nets were on display, created by The Ghost Net Collective and contributed by AIMS staff over the past six months.
AIMS Medal - 2022 recipient
Congratulations to Dr Britta Schaffelke who received the 2022 AIMS Medal at the AIMS’ Symposium in Townsville last week in recognition of her impact to the Australian and international reef science community, mentorship & as a leader for gender equity at AIMS & beyond.
The world's largest omnivore is a fish
Marine scientists have discovered that whale sharks eat plants, making the iconic fish the world’s largest omnivore.
Save the date: Behind the scenes of the National Sea Simulator
The answer to the riddle is turtle-y clear
Image: Vinay Udyawer
A new olive ridley turtle satellite tagging program in the Tiwi Islands, reveals migration pathways and key habitats to inform the conservation of this iconic, endangered species.
During May this year, the Tiwi Islands Marine Rangers, the first Aboriginal marine rangers in the NT, invited researchers to tag olive ridley turtles. The Rangers and researchers tagged 20 olive ridley turtles over several nights, equipping them with satellite-linked GPS biologgers.
Olive ridleys are one of the most under-studied species in Australia. Attaching GPS biologgers to the turtles will provide much needed information on turtle migratory movements, habitat uses and their foraging behaviour, which in turn will assist in understanding how the turtles use the seas to the north of Australia and how the animals interact with their environment including interactions with fisheries.
The tags were deployed as part of a collaboration between AIMS, the Integrated Marine Observing System - IMOS, the Department of Defence, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, and the Tiwi Islands Marine Rangers.
From the field:
Microplastics and severe weather events
Images: Michaela Miller
Plastics smaller than 5mm, known as microplastics, are floating upon the ocean and in surface waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
Our microplastics team spent one day every month over three years, sampling the surface waters surrounding the famous wreck, the SS Yongala, located 22km offshore in the central region of the GBR, retrieving samples like the one in this beaker.
The team found that the baseline amount of plastic over three years didn’t change, but the abundance of plastic increased considerably after severe weather events, such as Cyclone Debbie in 2017 and the North Queensland floods in 2019.
Sampling continues at this site, as part of the first marine plastic monitoring program between AIMS and the Integrated Marine Observing System - IMOS. Plastic pollution in our ocean is a global issue due to its effect on marine creatures and ecosystems.
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