Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.1.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # SIMS Sydney Institute of Marine Science ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://sims.org.au/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Exploring Marine Science at the Sydney Science Trail](https://sims.org.au/sydney-science-trail) - The Sydney Institute of Marine Science was delighted to take part in the Sydney Science Trail at the Australian Museum for three incredibly fun and action-packed days. Our interactive display gave students and visitors the opportunity to discover the fascinating world of marine science. A highlight was looking at live plankton through microscopes and seeing - [Boating Community Comes Together to Explore the Future of Environmentally Friendly Moorings](https://sims.org.au/community/boating-community-explores-future-of-efms) - SIMS’ flagship Project Restore team hosted a first-of-its-kind community information session to share the story behind the recent replacement of 10 traditional swing moorings with Environmentally Friendly Moorings (EFMs) at a venue in Balmoral, located in Sydney’s Lower North Shore. The event brought together local boat clubs, members of the mooring industry, government, scientists, and - [SIMS researcher awarded prestigious Australian Antarctic Medal](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-researcher-awarded-australian-antarctic-medal/) - The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) congratulates Dr Clive McMahon on being awarded the Australian Antarctic Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Australia’s Antarctic Program through marine mammal telemetry and ocean observing systems. An internationally recognised Antarctic and marine ecologist, Dr McMahon has spent more than three decades advancing our understanding of - [Vale Professor Emma Johnston AO](https://sims.org.au/vale-emma-johnston/) - This week we are mourning the loss of Professor Emma Johnston AO, the inaugural director of the Sydney Harbour Research Program, who died in December 2025. Professor Johnston was a prominent figure in marine science and communication, impactful scholar, and influential marine researcher at SIMS and in the global academy of science. Emma became the - [The People Behind the Science: Reflecting on 20 Years of SIMS](https://sims.org.au/the-people-behind-the-science-reflecting-on-20-years-of-sims/) - When you walk through the sandstone pathways of Chowder Bay in the late afternoon, you can hear the hum of the labs, the splash of the aquarium outflow, and—if you listen closely—the pulse of something far less tangible. It’s the energy of a community that has spent two decades building something remarkable together. As we - [SIMS Welcomes Its Largest Ever Year 10 Work Experience Cohorts](https://sims.org.au/sims-welcomes-its-largest-ever-year-10-work-experience-cohorts/) - Over the past few months, SIMS has had the joy of hosting not one, but two Year 10 Work Experience groups—our largest cohorts to date. It’s been a milestone season for a program we’ve been steadily growing and refining year after year, and one that reflects our expanding capacity to welcome more young people into - [IMOS Animal Tracking Facility Field Update](https://sims.org.au/imos-animal-tracking-facility-field-update/) - Listening to the Ocean: Recent Adventures from the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility At SIMS, our scientists often say that receivers are like underwater ears—quietly listening to the movements of marine life day and night. Over winter, the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility team has been out on the water making sure those ears keep working, completing - [Living Seawalls Wins 2025 Eureka Prize for Environmental Research](https://sims.org.au/living-seawalls-wins-2025-eureka-prize-for-environmental-research/) - Eureka Awards 2025 The Sydney Institute of Marine Science is proud to celebrate a major achievement: the Living Seawalls team has been awarded the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Eureka Prize for Environmental Research at the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes. Living Seawalls, a collaboration between Macquarie University, UNSW, and - [Into the Deep Recap!](https://sims.org.au/into-the-deep-recap/) - Into the Deep: Showcasing Careers in Marine Science and Conservation On Thursday 14 August 2025, SIMS partnered with SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium to host Into the Deep—a National Science Week event designed to open doors for the next generation of marine scientists, conservationists, and innovators. The event was inspired by the National Marine Science Committee’s - [Scientists trial world first 'cloud brightening' technique to protect the reef](https://sims.org.au/community/marine-cloud-brightening-for-the-great-barrier-reef/) - SIMS and the Southern Cross University successfully trial ‘cloud brightening’ technology on the Great Barrier Reef The ambitious concept is to shade and cool large areas of reef at risk of bleaching by spraying microscopic saltwater droplets into clouds to make them more reflective of sunlight. As the world grapples with COVID-19, the Great Barrier - [What’s in a Seahorse’s Microbiome? A Sydney Student’s Dive into Conservation Innovation](https://sims.org.au/whats-in-a-seahorses-microbiome-a-sydney-students-dive-into-conservation-innovation/) - About the Author: Mia Leach is a current honours student with the University of Technology Sydney from the Blue Mountains, focusing on marine microbiome research. Diving beneath the waves of Sydney’s Harbour opens an entirely different and new world full of biodiversity and complexity. However, the city above is impacting on every part of this - [National Science Week 2024](https://sims.org.au/national-science-week-2024/) - 2024 National Science Week Recap: Integrating Traditional Knowledge and Marine Science In August 2024, SIMS hosted a special National Science Week event at Q Station, Manly, exploring the theme “Species Survival – More than Just Sustainability.” The evening brought together marine scientists, Traditional Owners, students, and community members to explore how Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) - [Planet Wild: Mission 25](https://sims.org.au/planet-wild-mission-25/) - SIMS and specifically the Sydney Seahorse Project were just featured on episode 25 of Planet Wild! Check it out here! - [Emerald Dinner 2025 recap](https://sims.org.au/emerald-dinner-2025-recap/) - On the eve of Thursday March 13th, something special happened by the water. The Emerald Dinner brought together scientists, supporters, and ocean lovers from across Sydney—and together, we raised over $200,000 to power the future of marine science. This incredible show of generosity means we can now begin revitalising our education program—creating new hands-on experiences, - [Waverley Marine BioBlitz](https://sims.org.au/waverley-marine-bioblitz/) - We had an absolute blast this past weekend partnering with Waverley Council to co-host the March 2025 Marine BioBlitz—and not even the relentless rain could dampen our spirits! Across two wet but wonderful days, locals of all ages braved the weather to explore the stunning coastline from Bondi to Bronte. Armed with phones, waterproof jackets, - [Expansion of SIMS's Ocean Observing Facilities](https://sims.org.au/community/imos-expansion) - The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) operates the NSW node of the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) and has received extensions for its core facilities from 2024 through 2027. These ongoing programs include: NSW Moorings (UNSW – Moninya Roughan) Animal Tagging (SIMS – Rob Harcourt & Clive McMahon) Animal Tracking (SIMS – Rob Harcourt - [Cloud Brightening Updates](https://sims.org.au/marine-cloud-brightening-updates/) - Cloud Brightening Fieldwork & Research Updates Townsville (3–8 Feb 2025)Cheng’s team mobilized field operations aboard the Guardian Riverside Marine Vessel in Townsville, meticulously preparing equipment and managing logistics for the upcoming marine cloud brightening and fogging operations. Fantome Island (9–22 Feb 2025)At Fantome Island, the team operated an electric drive high-pressure fogging system while conducting - [Sergio Torres Gabarda Receives National Excellence Award](https://sims.org.au/sergio-torres-gabarda-receives-national-excellence-award/) - We’re thrilled to share that Sergio Torres Gabarda , our incredible Aquarium Scientific Officer of the SIMS Tech Team, has been awarded the National Excellence Award for Tertiary Technical Staff at the annual Western Sydney University TechNet Conference! With over a decade of dedicated service to SIMS, our partners, and the community—and a remarkable career - [Remembering Vale Professor Frank Talbot AM](https://sims.org.au/remembering-professor-frank-talbot/) - Professor Frank Talbot AM, Founding Chair of SIMS; Photo: Australian Museum This week we are mourning the loss of Professor Frank Talbot AM, the inaugural Chairman of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, who died on 15 October 2024 aged 94 years. Professor Talbot was a leading figure in marine science and conservation, eminent scholar - [Sydney Seahorses Find Heroes at St Michael’s](https://sims.org.au/sydney-seahorses-find-heroes-at-st-michaels/) - At SIMS, believe that passion is contagious—and our recent visit to Daceyville’s St Michael’s School proved just how true that is. What started as an opportunity to share the incredible work behind the Sydney Seahorse Project turned into something much more: a powerful reminder of the impact young minds can have when inspired by science, - [Inspiring the Next Generation of Ocean Change Makers: Launching our Aboriginal Youth Ranger Program](https://sims.org.au/community/indigenous-youth-ranger-program) - Exciting news from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS)! We’re thrilled to share the progress of our 2024 Aboriginal Youth Ranger Program, launched in partnership with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC). This initiative, funded by the generous contributions from the 2023 SIMS Foundation Emerald Gala Dinner, is making significant strides in marine conservation - [An update on our Aboriginal Youth Ranger Program](https://sims.org.au/community/ranger-update-june) - We are pleased to bring you an update on our Aboriginal Youth Ranger Program, where our trainee rangers have been achieving remarkable milestones. Funded by the generous contributions from the 2023 SIMS Foundation Emerald Gala Dinner, this initiative is making significant strides in marine conservation education and hands-on training for Aboriginal youths. To our knowledge, - [An Update on the Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Marine Restoration Pilot Project](https://sims.org.au/community/cockatoo-island-july) - You might recall that Minister Plibersek visited SIMS on Friday, May 31st, for a seahorse release and an exciting announcement of a new partnership between SIMS and the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (Harbour Trust). We’re now pleased to bring you a progress update on the Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Marine Restoration Pilot Project. The pilot - [The Sydney Seahorse Project's 2024 Success!](https://sims.org.au/community/ssp-2024) - The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) has had an exhilarating year with significant achievements in seahorse conservation and community outreach. Through the Sydney Seahorse Project, we have taken major steps to restore the endangered White’s seahorse (Hippocampus whitei) populations in Sydney Harbour and Gamay (Botany Bay). Here’s a look back at some of the - [SIMS Welcomes Minister Plibersek to Announce a New Partnership](https://sims.org.au/community/cockatoo-island) - On Friday, 31 May, we had the privilege of welcoming the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, the Honourable Tanya Plibersek MP, to SIMS. During her visit, Minister Plibersek witnessed the release of 100 endangered White’s seahorses into the waters of Chowder Bay as part of SIMS’s Sydney Seahorse project. This release is complementary - [SIMS Hosts Minister Plibersek for Seahorse Release](https://sims.org.au/community/seahorses-minister-plibersek) - On Friday, 31 May, SIMS had the honour of welcoming the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, the Honourable Tanya Plibersek MP, to our facilities. During her visit, Minister Plibersek participated in the release of 100 endangered White’s seahorses into the waters of Chowder Bay, a key event in SIMS’s Sydney Seahorse Project. The - [SIMS Secures $1.93 Million in State Funding for Expansion of Pioneering Ocean Observing Program](https://sims.org.au/community/irap-announcement) - We are pleased to announce the approval of $1.93 million in funding under the State Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Support Program. This significant investment will enhance Australia’s ocean monitoring capabilities by expanding the Integrated Marine Observing System’s New South Wales Node (NSW-IMOS), based at SIMS. This funding will advance NSW-IMOS’s coastal observing - [Celebrating Excellence in Oceanography: Prof. Moninya Roughan Awarded the Clarke Medal](https://sims.org.au/community/clarke-medal-roughan) - The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) takes immense pride in celebrating the remarkable achievements of one of our distinguished research community members, Professor Moninya Roughan. An esteemed leader of the Coastal and Regional Oceanography Lab and a vital force in oceanographic research facilitated by SIMS, Prof. Roughan has been honoured with the prestigious Clarke - [Project Restore Summer Monitoring & Project Milestones](https://sims.org.au/community/project-restore-april) - The start of 2024 has been huge for the Project Restore team, with all hands on deck for the summer monitoring period. So far this year the fieldwork team have conducted 43 field work days capturing the health and biodiversity of the habitats at our restoration locations. This includes deploying 606 underwater cameras that have - [The Sydney Seahorse Project Gallops Ahead!](https://sims.org.au/community/sydney-seahorse-project-april-2024) - The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) celebrated a significant milestone in its Sydney Seahorse Project in February. The eagerly awaited installation of our innovative seahorse hotels at Balmoral Beach unfolded under the glow of a warm and sunny afternoon, setting the stage for a highly anticipated seahorse release. The event was graced with the - [United Nations Decade of Ocean Science Endorsement Announcement](https://sims.org.au/united-nations-decade-of-ocean-science-endorsement-announcement/) - We are proud to announce that in 2024 we have joined the ranks of United Nations Decade of Ocean Science endorsed programs. This is a major step forward for our World Harbour Seascape Restoration Programme (WHSR), an initiative that aligns multi-habitat restoration and aims to create a template for global seascape restoration. CEO of SIMS - [Temperature Logger Deployment To Assess Impacts Of Marine Heatwaves In Sydney Harbour](https://sims.org.au/temperature-logger-deployment-to-assess-impacts-of-marine-heatwaves-in-sydney-harbour/) - In late 2023, the CSIRO and The Bureau of Meteorology predicted an imminent marine heatwave on the South-East Coast of Australia. Marine heatwaves are long periods of above average sea surface temperatures, which occur as a result of climate change. These heatwaves are similar to the terrestrial equivalent where we see negative impacts on the - [Tracking Ocean Changes from Antartica: SIMS returns to Dumont d’Urville](https://sims.org.au/community/dumont-durville-expedition) - You might recall the success of the IMOS Animal Tagging team’s expedition to Macquarie Island last year. Where the team’s work tagging and tracking southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) led to the discovery of new bathymetric features, including troughs off the Shackleton Ice Shelf and Underwood Glacier and, a deep canyon near the Vanderford Glacier - [Grand plans for The Sydney Seahorse Project in 2024](https://sims.org.au/community/sydney-seahorse-project-2024) - In 2023, SIMS dived into the wonderful world of seahorses. A unique marine fish, seahorses are known for their wonder and myth-inspiring anatomy – in fact, their scientific name Hippocampus translates to “horse-like sea-monster”. Seahorses are beloved creatures that can ignite a passion for the marine environment. However, like many marine fishes they face significant - [Another year of SIMS’ Topics In Australian Marine Science (TAMS)](https://sims.org.au/community/tams-2024) - SIMS is pleased to announce another year of tertiary education with the return of the Topics In Australian Marine Science (TAMS) subject, as part of the Master of Marine Science and Management program. This dynamic course includes lessons from leading scientists from SIMS’ partner universities – the University of New South Wales, the University of - [Relief for the Reef - Cooling & Shading to Mitigate Coral Bleaching](https://sims.org.au/community/relief-for-the-reef) - It’s no secret that Australia is in for a scorching summer, with an El Niño weather pattern active over the Pacific and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) developed, temperatures are forecast to soar. This rings alarm bells for our terrestrial environments with a black summer of bushfires looming, but also our marine environments as - [Annual SIMS Foundation Emerald Gala Dinner Best Ever!](https://sims.org.au/community/2023-emerald-dinner) - The annual SIMS Foundation Emerald Gala Dinner is always a standout event on our calendar, and this year was no exception. Held at the stunning Sergeants Mess in picturesque Chowder Bay on the 25th of October, it was an evening to remember. With over 230 guests in attendance, the venue was bursting at the seams, and - [Juvenile COTS Identified as a New Threat to Coral Reefs Post-Beaching Events](https://sims.org.au/community/juvenile-cots) - New research from the University of Sydney suggests that our tropical coral populations are facing yet another obstacle as their keystone predator, the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), can withstand immense marine heatwaves. Byrne et al. 2023 exposed juvenile COTS to thermal stress scenarios at a tempo and temperature duration designed to reflect the Degree Heating Week - [How Marine Sponges Influence Atmospheric Nitrous Oxide Concentrations](https://sims.org.au/community/sponges-nitrogen-cycling) - Marine sponges are one of the most abundant benthic animals in the world, taking on a kaleidoscope of different colours and an array of forms. Sponges play an integral role in marine ecosystems as they can alter water quality through water filtration, collect bacteria, and process carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Even more fascinating, marine sponges - [Investigating How Future Ocean Conditions Affect Crayweed Genotypes](https://sims.org.au/community/crayweed-future-oceans) - ‘Crayweed’ (Phyllospora comosa) forms dense underwater canopies on shallow reefs along Australia’s East coast from Port Macquarie to Tasmania, forming rich habitat that supports a plethora of marine ecosystems. After anthropogenic pollution contributed to massive declines in metropolitan Sydney crayweed populations in the 1980s, our own Operation Crayweed has been working hard to restore the vibrant - [Chowder Bay beach clean & IUCN visit](https://sims.org.au/community/beach-clean-iucn) - On Saturday 23rd September, the SIMS team welcomed a great turnout of ocean ambassadors to Chowder Bay to participate in a thorough clean of Chowder Bay, both on land and in water. The crew were rewarded for their efforts and generosity in giving up their Saturday morning with a BBQ brekky and an update on - [Project Restore - Update](https://sims.org.au/project-restore-update/) - Field work season is officially underway for the Project Restore team. The team have been out at proposed sites conducting site scoping and baseline surveys. This includes an array of different of methods to survey the biodiversity of the site and the health of the habitat forming species that we aim to restore, such as - [Announcing the 2023 Auxilium Kickstarter Prize recipients](https://sims.org.au/community/2023-auxilium) - Since 2020 John Preston and the Auxilium Foundation have been making seed grants to early career researchers (ECRs) to kickstart high impact pieces of marine science and conservation research. The idea behind the kickstarter grants is that they for the basis for getting a project off the ground and then subsequently are able to be - [How warming and Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) affect two important local habitat-forming seaweeds](https://sims.org.au/community/seaweed-vs-alan) - Artificial Light at Night is an increasing global stressor that can impact the survival, behaviour and distribution of species. Amelia Caley is currently working as a Research Assistant at UNSW supervised by Dr. Mariana Mayer Pinto, looking at kelp conservation in collaboration with Professor Maria Byrne and Associate Professor Ziggy Marzinelli from The University of - [How will future ocean environments impact the intertidal isopod?](https://sims.org.au/community/future-ocean-isopods) - The intertidal isopod (Cirolana harfordi) might resemble woodlouse or pill bugs that appear beneath rocks in your garden, but they are surely more threatening than their terrestrial cousins. C. harfordi aka ‘sea slaters’ are successful scavengers that clean the seafloor by consuming detritus, but when amassed in large groups they are known to attack large - [Living Seawalls – an international journey](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-international) - Since being named a finalist in the inaugural Earthshot Prize, an international search for environmental innovators launched by Prince William and The Royal Foundation, Living Seawalls has exploded on the world stage. From our first Living Seawall in North Sydney, we can now be found in 21 locations in Australia and 6 countries around the - [Project Restore Update](https://sims.org.au/community/projectrestoreupdate) - Project Restore is a flagship project at SIMS looking at restoring multiple connected marine habitats in Sydney Harbour, and is part of the wider Seabirds to Seascapes program led by the Department of Planning and Environment. We are excited to report our project team is now complete, last month we welcomed two more Research Assistants - [National Science Week Event: Indigenous Knowledge and Marine Science in Gamay](https://sims.org.au/community/indigenous-knowledge-and-marine-science-in-gamay) - Last Wednesday evening SIMS and the Gamay Rangers came together to host an evening of collaboration, learning and interaction at Yarra House, La Perouse. The night was a success with over 120 people in attendance at the La Perouse Aboriginal Land Council. Our incredible panel shared a diverse and deep knowledge of both Gamay and - [Macquarie Island elephant seals redefine Southern Ocean bathymetry](https://sims.org.au/community/imos-elephant-seals-2023) - The IMOS Animal Tagging team returns to Macquarie Island after more than a decade and their new elephant seals research redefines Southern Ocean bathymetry. This year we were fortunate to see the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) Animal Tagging team return to Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean for the first time in more than - [SIMS x Zimmermann Partnership in Coral Conservation](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-zimmermann-partnership-in-coral-conservation) - Iconic fashion house, Zimmermann, in partnership with SIMS will fund world leading research on coral nutrition to mitigate bleaching events in Sydney corals, led by Biodiversity Fellowship recipient Dr. Jen Matthews from The University of Technology Sydney (UTS). It’s no secret that corals are declining globally as a result of climate change, with the rate - [SIMS' Record Seahorse Release](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-record-seahorse-release) - Reviving Sydney’s seahorse haven: SIMS’ record-breaking release of endangered White’s seahorses (Hippocampus whitei) On July 18th, The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) set the world record for the number of seahorses released into the ocean when 384 juvenile White’s seahorses were rehomed into Chowder Bay’s recently installed ‘seahorse hotels’. This milestone came after the - [Sydney’s changing ocean climate brings new coral residents](https://sims.org.au/community/sydneys-new-corals) - Reef building corals from subtropical northern New South Wales are starting to make Sydney their new home as they head south in search of temperate waters. How are they able to survive in the harsher, colder waters of Sydney? Knowing this is fundamental to predicting how new species will shift into precious marine environments like - [Auxilium Kick Starter Prize](https://sims.org.au/community/auxillium-kick-start-prize-2023/) - The Auxilium Foundation and SIMS are very excited to open applications for the third year of the ‘Auxilium Kick Starter Prize’ The Auxilium Foundation is focused on providing financial and mentorship support for projects which can deliver an environmental impact for a fairer and more durable society. 100% of Auxilium’s funds are directed to helping the - [Covid 19 restrictions help understand human impacts on marine life](https://sims.org.au/community/covid-19-restrictions-help/) - Covid 19 restrictions help understand human impacts on marine life IMOS National Tracking: New research shows how changes in marine activities during Covid-19 restrictions could affect shark and fish behaviour in Australian waters. In a new study published in the journal Biological Conservation, a team of 22 scientists used data from the Integrated Marine Observing - ['Museum of the Sea' opens exciting new Sydney Harbour Gallery](https://sims.org.au/community/museum-of-the-sea-opens-exciting-new-sydney-harbour-gallery/) - SIMS brings marine science to the Museum of the Sea SIMS’ research and Sydney’s working harbour are at the centre of an exciting new public space launched today at the Australian National Maritime Museum. The Sydney Harbour Gallery and the Ben Lexcen Terrace were formally opened by the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety - [National Reconciliation Week](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-takes-inspiration/) - 2021 National Reconciliation We acknowledge the Cammaraigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the Country upon which the Sydney Institute of Marine Science stands. SIMS wants to take part in the process of Reconciliation; to respect, learn from, and partner with Aboriginal people to steward sea country for the - [SeaBnB - A World Oceans Day Gift to Seahorses](https://sims.org.au/community/seabnb-saving-sydney-seahorse/) - A World Oceans Day Gift to Sydney Seahorses New luxe SeaBnBs helping to Seahorses What better way to celebrate World Oceans Day than with 18 new Seahorse hotels or 'SeaBnBs' in Sydney Harbour, which will provide vital housing for the next colony of baby Endangered White's Seahorses to be released from SEA LIFE - [Auxilium Kick Starter Prize](https://sims.org.au/community/auxillium-kick-start-prize/) - Auxilium Kick Starter Prize The Auxilium Foundation and SIMS are very excited to launch the ‘Auxilium Kick-Starter Prize’ APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED The Auxilium Foundation is focused on providing financial and mentorship support for projects which can deliver an environmental impact for a fairer and more durable society. 100% of Auxilium’s funds are directed - [Restore or Redefine: Future Trajectories for Restoration](https://sims.org.au/community/restore-or-redefine-future-trajectories-for-restoration/) - Restore or Redefine: Future Trajectories for Restoration Worldwide, we know we are seeing coastal ecosystems diminishing and degrading as we are lose habitat-forming species like kelp forests, coral reefs, and seagrass beds. SIMS’ solution focused research has been leading the way with restoration practices, and that leadership continues with Professor Peter Steinberg, the inaugural director - [Welcome back to Aurora Expeditions](https://sims.org.au/community/welcome-back-to-aurora-expeditions/) - SIMS’ major prize partner for the Emerald Gala Dinner We are delighted to announce that Aurora Expeditions, who supported us for three years prior to the cancellation of the dinner in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, will continue their support this year by once again providing the major live auction prize - a choice - [SIMS Earthshot Prize Webinar Recording](https://sims.org.au/community/recording-sims-earthshot-prize-webinar/) - SIMS Earthshot Prize Webinar - Living Seawalls Thank you for joining us for the first SIMS Earthshot Thought Leadership Webinar - what a wonderful exchange of ideas on how we can work together to revive our oceans. If you missed the webinar or would just like to listen again to the insights from - [Announcing Seabirds to Seascapes: Project Restore](https://sims.org.au/community/announcing-seabirds-to-seascapes-project-restore/) - Seabirds to Seascapes - A New Project to Restore Sydney Harbour The largest harbour restoration project in the world is set to commence in the iconic Sydney Harbour to rewild and restore marine habitats for penguins, seals, seahorses and turtles. Minister for Environment James Griffin has committed $9.1 million in a NSW Government initiative which - [SIMS Gala Emerald Dinner sparkles again!](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-gala-emerald-dinner-sparkles-again/) - After being cancelled for the last two years due to COVID, the Sydney Institute of Marine Science Foundation recently hosted the Gala Emerald Dinner at the Sergeants Mess. This year's event attracted many new faces together with our usual local loyal Mosman supporters. It was a great success with capacity attendance and a very well - [Living Seawalls win National Banksia Sustainability Award](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-win-national-banksia-sustainability-award/) - We are proud to announce that one of our flagship research programs, Living Seawalls, has won the 2022 Banksia Sustainability Award for Biodiversity! The winners of the 33rd Banksia National Sustainability Awards were announced at a gala event attended by more than 350 guests, finalists and winners at the Melbourne Convention and Entertainment Centre. Guest - [Auxilium Kick Starter Prize](https://sims.org.au/community/auxillium-kick-start-prize-2022/) - The Auxilium Foundation and SIMS are very excited to open applications for the second year of the the ‘Auxilium Kick Starter Prize’ The Auxilium Foundation is focused on providing financial and mentorship support for projects which can deliver an environmental impact for a fairer and more durable society. 100% of Auxilium’s funds are directed to helping - [An update on current research at SIMS](https://sims.org.au/community/an-update-on-current-research-at-sims) - It is a busy time of year for us here at SIMS with many new and exciting research projects underway. Our aquarium has been an especially exciting place with new research focused on an array of marine species - from urchins, to sponges, to seaweeds! PhD student Catalina Musrri Fuenzalida from the University of - [SIMS is seeking a General Manager](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-is-seeking-a-general-manager) - Come join our team at SIMS! Apply your exceptional operational leadership skills to achieve long term sustainability and help protect our marine and estuarine environments. We are seeking a General Manager with solid, hands-on experience to provide high-level project management, financial, administrative and strategic support to enable delivery of the Institute’s goals. Overseeing the day-to-day - [New Positions at SIMS with Project Restore](https://sims.org.au/community/new-positions-at-sims-with-project-restore) - Come join our team at SIMS! SIMS is hiring several new positions to support the recently announced 'Project Restore', which seeks to strengthen NSW’s natural environment through restoring key ecosystems and habitats within Sydney Harbour. The project will leverage existing Sydney Institute of Marine Science programs (Fish Habitat Enhancement, Operation Crayweed, Operation Posidonia and Living - [Project under way to bring rock lobsters back to Kurnell](https://sims.org.au/community/project-under-way-to-bring-rock-lobsters-back-to-kurnell/) - Project under way to bring rock lobsters back to Kurnell A 'good news' story brought to you by Murray Trembath and team at the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. Underwater forests of a seaweed variety called crayweed were wiped out by the pollution, which continued from the Cronulla sewage plant outfall at Potter Point - [Exclusive Aurora Expeditions Offer for SIMS Community ](https://sims.org.au/community/aurora-expeditions-exclusive-offer-for-the-sims-community/) - The great generosity of Aurora Expeditions largely contributed to the outstanding success of this year’s SIMS Gala Emerald Dinner. Their donation of an awe-inspiring voyage to Antarctica for two aboard the brand new, purpose-built expedition vessel, the Sylvia Earle, attracted such keen interest that, after the first voyage sold for a record price, Aurora made an - [Aurora Expeditions donates life-changing voyage to support SIMS!](https://sims.org.au/community/aurora-expeditions-donates-life-changing-voyage-to-support-sims/) - As we approach our Emerald Gala Dinner on 30 March our long-term supporter and major live auction prize provider, Aurora Expeditions, has confirmed details of this year’s exceptional prize. There will be the opportunity for two people to join an awe-inspiring voyage to Antarctica aboard Aurora’s brand new, purpose-built expedition vessel, the Sylvia Earle which - [Looking back on 2021](https://sims.org.au/community/looking-back-on-2021/) - Looking back on 2021 Wishing you a festive holiday season from the SIMS family. - [New R package ‘remora’ released by the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility](https://sims.org.au/community/new-r-package-remora/) - New R package 'remora' released by the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility The IMOS Animal Tracking Facility, based here at SIMS, has recently released their new data product remora (Rapid Extraction of Marina Observations for Roving Animals). The package is designed to work with acoustic telemetry data, coming from a large network of strategically located - [Congratulations Adriana Verges - Eureka Celestino Prize Finalist](https://sims.org.au/community/adriana-verges-eureka-prize-finalist/) - Congratulations to Associate Professor Adriana Verges, from SIMS flagship project, Operation Crayweed and UNSW Sydney on this fabulous recognition 2021 Eureka Celestino Prize Finalist for Promoting Understanding of Science In a modern world defined by human impacts and unprecedented environmental change, entire ecosystems are at risk. The science communication and community engagement efforts of marine - [Auxilium Kick-Starter Prize Winners Announced](https://sims.org.au/community/auxilium-kick-starter-prize-winners-announced/) - Auxilium Kick-Starter Prize Winners Announced Dr Amanda Pettersen and Dr Steph Gardner to be awarded grant funding for their innovative marine research projects The Auxilium Foundation and SIMS are excited to announce that Dr Amanda Pettersen and Dr Steph Gardner have been awarded grant funding from the Auxilium Kick-Starter Prize, generously established by Auxilium Foundation - [Living Seawalls nominated for Banksia National Sustainability Awards](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-nominated-for-banksia-national-sustainability-awards/) - After receiving the honour of winning the Banksia Foundation NSW Sustainability Award last year, Living Seawalls is thrilled to be recognised as a finalist in the biodiversity category of the Banksia Foundation National Sustainability Awards. A joint venture of SIMS, Reef Design Lab, UNSW, and Macquarie University, the program has developed an adaptable and affordable - [2017 Myer Innovation Fellowship Winner](https://sims.org.au/community/congratulations-to-daniel-harrison/) - Congratulations to Daniel Harrison - Myer Innovation Fellow 2017 SIMS is pleased to announce that Daniel Harrison from the USYD has won a Myer Innovation Fellowship for 2017, for his submission “Temporary Cloud Intensification - A method to save the Great Barrier Reef for future generations?” The Myer Innovation Fellowships support the development of breakthrough - [SIMS Director wins AMSA Jubilee Award](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-director-wins-amsa-jubilee-award/) - 2017 AMSA Jubilee Award winner Congratulations to Professor Peter Steinberg, Director & CEO of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science on his 2017 AMSA Jubilee Award. The award for excellence in marine research is presented to a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution to marine science research in Australia. Professor Peter Steinberg is - [ABC Interview: Animals and Technology](https://sims.org.au/community/abc-interview-animals-and-technology/) - Animals as Oceanographers The ABC accompanied a team of scientists, including SIMS' Clive McMahon tracking elephant seals as part of the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS). IMOS is a long-term project supported by the Federal Government which is looking at what's going on in the oceans surrounding Australia and in places like Antarctica. SIMS operates - [NSW Government support for SIMS Initiative](https://sims.org.au/community/nsw-government-support-for-sims-initiative/) - Premiere announces support for a new Centre of Urbane Marine Innovation SIMS was delighted to host a recent tour of the facilities by Premier Gladys Berejiklian. The premier was at SIMS to announce the NSW Government's support for the development of a business plan around an exciting SIMS initiative, a proposal for a Centre for Urban - [2017 Winner Green Globe Awards](https://sims.org.au/community/operation-crayweed-2/) - Operation Crayweed wins 2017 Green Globe Award Natural Environment Award recognises leadership in protecting and enhancing natural ecosystems, including native plants and animals, threatened species, natural habitats, forests, water resources, land systems and soils, and biodiversity. Operation Crayweed team are delighted to receive the 2017 award. "Winning an award for our state-based initiatives - [Drones Monitoring Whale Health](https://sims.org.au/community/drones-monitoring-whale-health/) - Revolutionising study of marine species with innovative technology Macquarie University researcher Vanessa Pirotta has led the design and construction of a new system that can be fitted to a custom-built, waterproof drone in order to sample whale microbiota – the combination of natural bacterial colonies that live in an organism – by flying over and collecting - [Little Penguin release at Shelly Beach](https://sims.org.au/community/little-penguin-release-at-shelly-beach/) - Little penguin rescued by SIMS Staff has been released back to the wild! On Tuesday the 18th of April, five Little Penguins were released at Shelly Beach in Sydney after spending two months at Taronga Zoo Wildlife Hospital for various injuries and illnesses. SIMS was lucky enough to be a part of this happy - [Opera House Reef Project](https://sims.org.au/community/sydney-opera-house/) - Artificial reefs to provide new habitat for fish Scientists are installing an artificial reef in waters adjacent to the Sydney Opera House to see whether marine species are happy to call it home – testing the potential of such refuges in areas where man-made structures have replaced natural habitats. Partly funded by NSW Environmental trust, and - [Post-doc Positions at SIMS](https://sims.org.au/community/post-doc-positions-at-sims/) - Three new Post-doctoral positions available at SIMS SIMS was recently awarded a Research Attraction and Acceleration Program (RAAP) grant through the NSW State Government’s Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer to support NSW IMOS by facilitating cross-disciplinary integration of IMOS data. Three post-doctoral positions at SIMS are now being offered under the - [Pacific Oyster Mortality](https://sims.org.au/community/pacific-oyster-mortality/) - Researchers unravelling the causes Oyster Aquaculture is worth $35-40 million to the NSW economy and is an important source of employment and revenue for coastal communities. However, oyster aquaculture industries are globally under threat from disease outbreaks. Oyster diseases have caused devastating losses for Australian oyster farmers, with a recent outbreak of the OSHV-1 - [World Oceans Day 2018](https://sims.org.au/community/world-oceans-day-2018/) - Preventing plastic pollution this World Oceans Day Plastic pollution has become one of the biggest threats to our marine environment, with over 268,940 tonnes of plastic estimated to be floating around in the Earth's oceans. The majority of this plastic, around 80%, comes from land. An obvious threat to animals through injestion or entanglement, plastic also - [SIMS Board Director Professor Emma Johnston AO](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-board-professor-emma-johnston-ao/) - Professor Emma Johnston AO SIMS congratulates Professor Emma Johnston, Dean of Science at UNSW, on being named an Officer of the Order of Australia. Emma was the inaugural director of SIMS' flagship project the Sydney Harbour Research Program and continues to have a strong relationship with SIMS as a director of the SIMS Board. She was recognised - [Emerald Dinner 18th October 2018](https://sims.org.au/community/emerald-dinner-2018/) - SIMS Foundation Emerald Dinner Save the DateSpeakers: Dr Vic Peddemors and Dr Amy Smoothey The 2018 Emerald Dinner promises a great night of entertainment not least from the key presentation revealing The Secret Lives of Sydney Sharks. Vic Peddemors and Amy Smoothey are leading shark experts from the NSW Department of Fisheries who spend their summer evenings - [Volvo supporting green engineering initiative](https://sims.org.au/community/volvo-partners-with-sims/) - Living Seawalls in Sydney Harbour In an exciting new collaboration, Volvo is partnering with the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), Fibercon and Reef Design Lab, to put tiles onto a seawall in Sydney Harbour to help biodiversity. The research is a green engineering initiative of SIMS' World Harbour Project, and is led by Associate - [IMOS - Integrated Marine Observing System News](https://sims.org.au/community/integrated-marine-observing-system/) - IMOS News Headline news is the 2018 Budget announcement that the Government will provide an additional $1.9 billion over 12 years from 2017–18 to implement the IMOS Research Infrastructure Investment Plan. In other exciting news, the NSW node of IMOS, based at SIMS was awarded a Research Attraction and Acceleration Program (RAAP) grant through the NSW - [Environmental Trust Grant: Adapting to Coastal Tropicalisation](https://sims.org.au/community/environmental-trust-grant/) - Adapting to coastal tropicalisation: ecosystem function implications “SIMS is excited to be working together with the NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage on this important project, which will enable the research findings to be incorporated into government management approaches to climate change”, Professor Peter Steinberg, CEO & Director, SIMS. Kelp forests are a - [Animal Tracking Team in the Great Barrier Reef](https://sims.org.au/community/animal-tracking-team-head-to-heron-island/) - IMOS Animal Tracking Facility service Heron and One Tree Island Array of Acoustic Receivers The IMOS Animal Tracking Facility, based here at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, recently headed to the beautiful Heron and One Tree Islands to service their array of acoustic receivers, which detect movements from tagged animals including fish, - [Influences on prevalence of sharks nearshore](https://sims.org.au/community/environmental-influences-on-prevalence-of/) - Environmental factors that influence the abundance of potentially dangerous sharks in nearshore areas A newly released paper by SIMS' Dr Kate May, and co-authored by Dr Vic Peddemors from the NSW Department of Fisheries, Professor Rob Harcourt from Macquarie University and UNSW's Associate Professor Moninya Roughan has used long-term datasets from shark mitigation programs - [Sydney Marine Park Plan](https://sims.org.au/community/sydney-marine-park-plan/) - Sydney Marine Park Plan Unveiled The NSW Government has unveiled a plan where twenty-five high-value biodiversity marine sites around the Sydney region will get enhanced protection as part of a long-awaited marine park proposed by the Berejiklian government. Professor Peter Steinberg, SIMS director welcomed the Sydney marine park proposal, which forms part - [Science Week 2018](https://sims.org.au/community/science-week-recap/) - 'Secrets of Sydney Harbour' at the Australian National Maritime Museum One of the highlights of the work we do here at SIMS is getting to meet, educate, and learn from the future generation of marine scientists. This year we were so excited to be a part of the Secrets of Sydney Harbour workshop - [Eureka Award for Science Journalism](https://sims.org.au/community/eureka-award/) - Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Eureka Prize for Science JournalismSIMS congratulates Adam Geiger on Eureka AwardAdam Geiger from SeaLight Pictures Pty Ltd was recently recognised at the 2018 Eureka Prize Awards for his outstanding production: Can We Save the Reef? Headlines tout the impending disaster facing the Great Barrier Reef due to climate change. - [SIMS Responds to Marine Estate Management Strategy](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-responds-to-marine-estate-management-strategy/) - Science should drive marine management Last month the NSW Government announced its Marine Estate Management (MEM) Strategy. The Strategy is an overarching framework for the management of the NSW marine and estuarine environment. Part of the Strategy was the establishment of a Marine Park in the Hawkesbury Shelf bioregion, which includes Sydney. The - [You're going to need a bigger tag](https://sims.org.au/community/your-going-to-need-a-big-tag/) - "You're going to need a bigger tag"Mosman Daily Article featuring 2018 Emerald Dinner Speakers: Drs Vic Peddemors and Amy Smoothey Drs. Vic Peddemors and Amy Smoothey are based at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science at Chowder Bay and are part of the NSW Department of Primary Industries. The DPI launched the Sydney Harbour bull - [Benchmark Database of Larval Fish](https://sims.org.au/community/benchmark-database-of-larval-fish/) - New Australian database reveals impact of climate change on larval fish One of the first of its kind in the world, a benchmark database of larval fish collected over the last three decades and analysed by UNSW researchers will help scientists assess the effects of climate change on the health of Australian fisheries. Recently - [Australian Echinoderms - Winner of 2018 Whitley Award](https://sims.org.au/community/australian-echinoderms/) - Congratulations to Maria Byrne and Timothy O'Hara, winners of the 2018 Whitley Award for Best Australasian Zoological Publication SIMS is very excited by the news that Australian Echinoderms, edited by Professor Maria Byrne and Timothy O'Hara, has been awarded the prestigious Whitley Medal. The award recognises outstanding publications profiling unique wildlife of Australasia. The reference book is a - [2018 Emerald Dinner Thank You](https://sims.org.au/community/2018-emerald-dinner-thanks/) - Thank You for a Fabulous 2018 Emerald DinnerFrom the entire team at SIMS we would like to express our gratitude to all our sponsors, supporters and guests at this year's Emerald Dinner. The evening had a wonderful 'feel' and your generosity will make a very real contribution to the advancement of our marine science research. - [New SIMS Vessel Kirby II](https://sims.org.au/community/new-sims-vessel-kirby-ii/) - New SIMS vessel - Kirby II SIMS is extremely grateful to the James N Kirby Foundation for their generous contribution to the purchase of the Kirby II. The Kirby Foundation have been instrumental in the development of SIMS over the years, having funded the purchase of one of our first research vessels, and through their ongoing support - [Volvo partners to create extensive Living Seawall](https://sims.org.au/community/volvo-partners-to-create-extensive-living-seawall/) - A Volvo Living Seawalls Installation A global response to the impact of increasing urbanisation on coastlines has been brought to Sydney with the unveiling of one of the world’s largest Living Seawalls at Milsons Point. Over the last 200 years more than half of Sydney’s vibrant marine habitats along the harbour foreshore have - [Living Seawalls Growing](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-growing/) - Living Seawall Installation at Sawmillers Reserve It's been a big week for the Living Seawalls team with the installation of an extensive retrofit to the existing seawall at Sawmillers Reserve. The installation complements the Volvo Living Seawalls initiative at Milsons Point launched on 30th October. Sydney scientists have been leading the world in - [2018 Tony Roach Prize](https://sims.org.au/community/2018-tony-roach-prize/) - 2018 Tony Roach Prize The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) are pleased to announce the 2018 Tony Roach Prize in Marine Environmental Science. The prize is in memory of Dr. Tony Roach and his long career and contributions to marine science in - [SIMS hosts Queen Elizabeth II Technicians Study Award winner](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-hosts-queen-elizabeth-ii-technicians-study-award-winner/) - Queen Elizabeth II Technicians' Study Award winner spends time at SIMS The New Zealand Ministry of Education allocates the Queen Elizabeth II Technicians’ Study Award annually. The award provides funding for training in another Commonwealth country to further the careers of technicians who in turn bring that learning back to New Zealand. This year, - [Thanks for your support in 2018](https://sims.org.au/community/2018-festive-season-at-sims/) - [Underwater Forests Threatened](https://sims.org.au/community/underwater-forests-threatened/) - Underwater forests threatened by future climate change, new study finds Australia’s two largest fisheries potentially at risk Researchers at the University of Sydney (USYD) and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science have found that climate change could lead to declines of underwater kelp forests through impacts on their microbiome. In humans, it has been - [New Publication on Plankton by Prof Iain Suthers](https://sims.org.au/community/new-publication-by-prof-iain-suthers/) - Plankton: A Guide to Their Ecology and Monitoring for Water Quality The biology, ecology and identification of plankton and their use in monitoring water quality. Healthy waterways and oceans are essential for our increasingly urbanised world. Yet monitoring water quality in aquatic environments is a challenge, as it varies from hour to hour - [SVC and Living Seawalls](https://sims.org.au/community/svc/) - SVC takes us inside the production of our Living Seawalls SIMS is delighted with this recent article from SVC, which focuses on the design and production process behind our Living Seawalls. It's a great insight into the project from production to implementation that reinforces the value of collaboration with contributors from industry, design, philanthropics, corporate and science. "Our - [Living Seawalls Launch at Sawmillers Reserve](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-sawmillers-reserve/) - Sawmillers Reserve, McMahons Point A unique collaboration of science, government, philanthropy, industry and innovative design has enabled the installation of the Living Seawall at Sawmillers Reserve in McMahons Point, launched on the 28th February by Mayor Jilly Gibson, of North Sydney Council. Living Seawalls is an initiative of the Sydney Institute of - [Research Assistant Position](https://sims.org.au/community/research-assistant-position/) - Living Seawalls Research Assistant Position We are looking for expressions of interest from for a full-time, 6 month Research Assistant (RA) position based at SIMS . The overall objective of this position is to organise and conduct laboratory-based sample processing and fieldwork as part of a monitoring program for the Living Seawalls project. - [Research Technician Position in Larval Fish Monitoring](https://sims.org.au/community/research-technician-position/) - Research Technician in Larval Fish Monitoring Two Year Fixed Term, subject to continuation of funds SIMS hosts the NSW Node of the Integrated Marine Observing System – a federal government initiative under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy program that supports key marine infrastructure to collect valuable long-term data from Australia’s marine environment. SIMS was - [Whale experts call for rethink of global shipping routes](https://sims.org.au/community/whale-exoerts-call-for-rethink-of-global-shipping-routes/) - Consequence of Global Shipping Routes for Marine Giants Researchers from Macquarie University are calling for a rethink of global shipping routes, to protect whales and sharks from becoming marine ‘roadkill’. More than 10 billion metric tons of goods travel by sea each year, making up 80 per cent of the world’s merchandise trade. The - [Sharks, Humanity and.....Jazz](https://sims.org.au/community/sharks-humanity-and-jazz/) - Sharks and Humanity - MuSEAum Talk 4th April, 6 - 8 pm SIMS Researchers from Macquarie University, Professor Culum Brown, and Dr Caterina Vila-Pouca are part of a panel exploring interactions between sharks and humans, including a discussion of a research project conducted in the SIMS Ian Potter Aquarium where juvenile Port Jackson Sharks got to - [Galapagos shark movement patterns at Lord Howe Island](https://sims.org.au/community/galapagos-shark-movement-patterns/) - Identifying Galapagos shark movement patterns, interactions with fishing vessels and residency in Lord Howe Island Marine Park SIMS' Animal Tracking Facility have recently returned from Lord Howe Island where they assisted in the deployment of acoustic receivers to support a research project led by Johnathan Mitchell from the University of Western Australia, in collaboration with - [Operation Crayweed comes to Cabbage Tree Bay Manly](https://sims.org.au/community/operation-crayweed-comes-to-cabbage-tree-bay-manly/) - Operation Crayweed comes to CabbageTree Bay, Manly Restoring Sydney's Underwater Forests - Because sometimes nature needs a helping hand Sydney Harbour and the surrounding ocean beaches used to have underwater forests of ‘crayweed’, a golden seaweed that provides food and habitat to a huge range of fish and shellfish, including crayfish, lobster and - ['Science and Design' at the Ocean Lovers Festival](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-live-ocean-revival-experience/) - SIMS Live Ocean Revival Experience - a Bondi Ocean Lovers Festival eventScience and Design: Bringing Life Back into the Oceans Ocean Talk : 13th April at 11.00am : Seagull Room, Bondi Pavilion SIMS researchers, Dr Maria Vozzo and Dr Ziggy Marzinelli and Alex Goad from Reef Design Lab will be discussing how our flagship projects Living Seawalls and - [Sydney Rock Oyster Reef Restoration secures ARC funding](https://sims.org.au/community/sydney-rock-oyster-reefs/) - Sydney Rock Oyster Reef Restoration secures ARC Funding Associate Professor Paul Gribben is leading a team of collaborators from the Sydney Harbour Research Program (SHRP) at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS); UNSW; University of Sydney; Macquarie University; the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries; the Nature Conservancy; and the SIMS Foundation. - [Prestigious Title Awarded to Professor Stefan Williams](https://sims.org.au/community/prestigious-award-for-professor-stefan-williams/) - Prestigious Title Awarded for Marine Robotics With a career focused on robotics and mapping ocean floor habitats, Head of the University of Sydney's Faculty of Engineering and IT's School of Aerospace, Mechatronic and Mechanical Engineering Professor Stefan Williams, was awarded the title of Distinguished Lecturer by the IEEE Ocean Engineering Society for his high degree of technical - [Marine Science Communication Workshop at SIMS](https://sims.org.au/community/marine-science-communication-workshop-at-sims/) - Sydney Harbour Research Program (SHRP) Future Female Leaders and Marine Science Communication Workshops In April 2019, Dr Ana Bugnot (SHRP/USyd) and Dr Katie Dafforn (SHRP/MQU) hosted two workshops at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). These were an inaugural WSTEM and ECR skills initiative supported by the Sydney Harbour Research Program and targeted - [How seaweed 'sex' is restoring underwater environments](https://sims.org.au/community/how-seaweed-sex-is-restoring/) - How seaweed 'sex' is restoring underwater environments Operation Crayweed features in this ABC radio interview with SIMS Director Professor Peter Steinberg from UNSW and Professor David Shiel from Canterbury University, Christchurch. Click on the link below to listen to the full interview. https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/how-seaweed-sex-is-restoring-underwater-environments/11030668 - [Congratulations to Kate Dodds - Winner 2019 AMSA Allen Award](https://sims.org.au/community/congratulations-to-kate-dodd/) - Living Seawalls Phd Student wins 2019 AMSA Allen Award The winner of the Allen Award for 2019 is Macquarie University's PhD student Kate Dodds, from our Living Seawalls team. Kate's research currently focusses on the greening of seawalls to encourage the development of abundant and diverse intertidal communities. Kate is investigating whether substrate type or colour affect - [Professor Maria Byrne elected as a Fellow to The Australian Academy of Science](https://sims.org.au/community/professor-maria-byrne-elected-as/) - 2019 Fellows to the Australian Academy of Science Announced On 27 May 2019, the Australian Academy of Science announced the election of 22 new Fellows for their outstanding contributions to science and scientific research. SIMS sends its warmest congratulations to Professor Maria Byrne who has been recognised as a Fellow for her exceptional research - [Sydney Opera House collaborates on marine science initiative](https://sims.org.au/community/sydney-opera-house-collaborates-on-marine-science-initiative/) - Artificial reef installed on Bennelong Point After first announcing the project in 2017, a series of modular artificial reefs have now been installed alongside the Opera House sea wall. The pioneering project, led by UTS Professor of Marine Ecology David Booth and funded through a NSW Government Environmental Trust Restoration & Rehabilitation grant, aims to - [Think sea level rise will impact you?](https://sims.org.au/community/think-sea-level-rise-will-impact-you-2/) - 1 in 2 people in NSW’s coastal community don’t think sea level rise will impact them directly Half of NSW’s coastal community thinks rising sea levels will not impact them directly according to new data released by UNSW scientists. The full report from UNSW – released on the anniversary of the 2016 East Coast Low - [Tony Roach Prize Winner](https://sims.org.au/community/tony-roach-prize-winner/) - Dr Dominic McAfee wins the Tony Roach Prize The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) are pleased to announce the winner of the Tony Roach Prize in Marine Environmental Science. The prize is in memory of Dr. Tony Roach and his long career and - [Sea creatures come back to Sydney Harbour](https://sims.org.au/community/sea-creatures-come-back-to-sydney-harbour/) - "Sea creatures on their way back to Sydney Harbour" A Sydney Harbour Research Program project aimed at reducing stormwater pollution using native sea animals receives important City of Sydney grant.The native animals will revive a lost ecosystem of burrowing creatures that naturally remove contaminants from the soil. SIMS' Sydney Harbour Research Program (SHRP) team will place - [What Really Happens to Corals During Marine Heatwaves](https://sims.org.au/community/what-really-happens-to-corals-during-marine-heatwaves/) - What really happens to corals during marine heatwavesIn a recent study, scientists show for the first time what really happens to corals during marine heatwaves, and they reveal that it’s not just coral animals that are affected – their skeletons start to decay within weeks, too. This means that the 3D coral framework which provides - [How will coral reefs respond to climate change in tropicalised temperate regions?](https://sims.org.au/community/how-will-coral-reefs-respond-to-climate-change-in-tropicalised-temperate-regions/) - How will coral reefs respond to climate change in tropicalised temperate regions? Understanding ecological responses within coral reef habitats is becoming increasingly important as the pressures of climate change are amplified in marine ecosystems. The diversity of ecosystem change is of particular interest, as it is predicted that new coastal and oceanic norms will be forming - [Scientists Urge Priority Action on Hundreds of Surviving Reefs](https://sims.org.au/community/scientists-urge-prority-a/) - Largest Ever Study Unlocks Global Solutions to Save Coral Communities The survey of over 2500 reefs identified where and how to save coral reef communities in the Indo-Pacific, outlining three viable strategies that can urgently be enacted to help save coral reefs that are threatened by climate change and human impacts. The researchers found an - [New Chair of SIMS](https://sims.org.au/community/new-chair-at-sims-peter-cochrane/) - A message from the new Chair of SIMS, Peter Cochrane John Keniry, the long term Chair of SIMS, resigned in May 2019 after nine years of service to SIMS. John brought a wealth of high level government and industry experience to SIMS, and his contributions have been invaluable to the advancement of marine science at SIMS and in NSW. The entire - [Thank You 2019 Emerald Dinner](https://sims.org.au/community/thank-you-2019-emerald-dinner/) - Thank You 2019 Emerald Dinner The entire team at SIMS would like to express our gratitude to all our sponsors, supporters and guests at this year's Emerald Dinner. It was a great night and your generosity will make a very real contribution to the advancement of marine science research at SIMS.We look forward to seeing you next - [SIMS' New Development Manager](https://sims.org.au/community/introducing-steph-morison/) - Introducing Steph Morison - our new Development Manager at SIMS Steph Morison has recently joined the SIMS Foundation as our new Development Manager to further develop our strategic philanthropy program and to support our community of volunteers.Steph's position is in partnership with UNSW, where she was previously an International Development Manager for North America. She is - [Because we just can't get enough of our Sea Lion pups](https://sims.org.au/community/because-we-just-cant-get-enough-of-our-sea-lion-pups/) - Australian Sea Lion Documentary A few weeks back we hosted Dr Rachael Gray here at SIMS for our public lecture series. She told us about her amazing research on the Australian sea lion, an endangered species, and how her team is working on a treatment that could help their population recover. Rachael referenced a new video - [Art Meets Science and Kids Meet Kelp](https://sims.org.au/community/art-meets-science-and-kids-meet-kelp/) - Art Meets Science and Kids Meet Kelp A creative collaboration between SIMS scientists, artists and primary school kids culminated in a new film launched by Zali Steggall OAM, Independent member for Warringah, on Sunday 24th November at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum. The project enabled by John T Reid Foundation involved artists Jennifer - [A look back at 2019](https://sims.org.au/community/a-look-back-at-2019/) - Take a look at what we've been up to this year The team at SIMS thanks all of our amazing students, volunteers, community members, supporters and sponsors for an exciting and productive 2019. We look forward to seeing you in 2020! - [SIMS Holiday Break](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-holiday-break/) - SIMS Facilities will be closed from 5pm on the 24th December 2019. We'll be reopening at 9am on the 6th January 2020. - [Impacts of Australia's bushfires on marine wildlife and water supply](https://sims.org.au/community/impacts-of-australias-bushfires-on-marine-wildlife-and-water-supply/) - Australia's raging fires will create big problems for fresh drinking waterNational Geographic Scientists warn that due to the current bushfire crisis in Australia and the charred debris that has been left as a result, we will see significant damage not only to marine wildlife but also to our water supply here in Sydney. "For many weeks, - [Operation Crayweed expanding after seaweed restoration success](https://sims.org.au/community/operation-crayweed/) - The conservation effort returning lost seaweed to Sydney's shores The Operation Crayweed crew were joined by the Sydney Morning Herald last week to have a closer look at how their recently transplanted crayweed babies, or 'craybies', were doing at the Cabbage Tree Bay restoration site. Derrick Cruz, a research assistant on the project, explained that when - [Statement on Australia's Bushfire crisis](https://sims.org.au/community/bushfire-impact-statement/) - Potential impacts of bushfires on our Marine Environment For specific enquiries or interview requests on bushfire impacts relating to marine ecosystems and environment please contact media@sims.org.au Contaminants and Toxic Effects of Ash to Marine Ecosystems Dr Katherine Dafforn, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at the Macquarie University Marine Research Centre, and Deputy Director - [CANCELLED Ocean Lovers Festival](https://sims.org.au/community/ocean-lovers-festival/) - SIMS at the Ocean Lovers Festival CANCELLEDMarch 20-22, 2020 The Ocean Lovers Festival is an annual celebration of Ideas, Art+Music and Actions, showcasing some of the latest innovations, science and state of the art technology for helping the oceans SIMS is very excited to be a part of the 2020 Bondi Ocean Lovers Festival. The Festival promises - [Living Seawalls: Bringing Sydney's seawalls to life!](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-bringing-sydneys-seawalls-to-life/) - Let the research team from Living Seawalls tell you how they're 'greening' Sydney Harbour Living Seawalls is a SIMS initiative that builds on years of Sydney-based marine green engineering research that shows retrofitting existing seawalls with habitat enhancing panels can imporove the ecological performance of artificial structures. Hear from the research team behind the - [Funding to boost the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef](https://sims.org.au/community/giving-the-great-barrier-reef-a-helping-hand/) - Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program - a visionary program aimed at boosting the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef as we continue to tackle its greatest threat - climate change Despite being one of the best-managed coral reef ecosystems in the world, the Great Barrier Reef remains acutely vulnerable to the effects of climate change as - [New Post-doctoral Associate position in Benthic Ecology](https://sims.org.au/community/new-post-doctoral-associate-position-in-benthic-ecology/) - An opportunity to contribute to improving understanding of large-scale patterns in NSW benthic communities SIMS hosts the NSW Node of the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), a federal government initiative under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy program that supports key marine infrastructure to collect valuable long-term data from Australia’s marine environment. SIMS was recently awarded - [Earth Day 2020 - A message from SIMS Founding Chair](https://sims.org.au/community/earth-day-2020-a-message-from-sims-founding-director/) - Earth Day 2020 We were honoured to recently interview SIMS' founding chair, Professor Frank Talbot AM. Frank continues to contribute to the important conversation of marine conservation and we wanted to share a snippet of his wisdoms in celebration of Earth Day 2020 and the theme of Climate Action - [Dr. Katherine Dafforn - AMSA 2020 Emerging Leader in Marine Science](https://sims.org.au/community/amsa-2020-emerging-leader-in-marine-science/) - Congratulations to Dr Katherine Dafforn - winner of the 2020 AMSA Emerging Leader in Marine Science SIMS extends a very warm congratulations to Dr. Katie Dafforn from Macquarie University on receiving the inaugural Emerging Leader in Marine Science award. Katie is the Deputy Director of SIMS' Sydney Harbour Research Program (SHRP) and one of the leadership team - [Five star biodegradable hotels welcome new guests](https://sims.org.au/community/five-star-hotel-welcomes-new-guests/) - SIMS welcomes nine new Seahorse Hotels and their special guests to Chowder Bay In a landmark event ten months in the making, a group of aquarium bred White’s Seahorses were released at Chowder Bay as part of a critical conservation project aimed at helping recover this iconic Endangered species.The White’s Seahorses – affectionately known as the - [SIMS announces new CEO and Director](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-announces-new-ceo-and-director/) - Professor Martina Doblin is appointed as SIMS' new CEO and Director; Inaugural CEO Professor Peter Steinberg steps down after 11 years Professor Steinberg has played an exceptional role in nurturing SIMS from its beginnings in 2006, and in particular through his role as Director and CEO, a position he assumed in 2009. In that - [Living Seawalls bring new life to Rushcutters Bay](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-bring-new-life-to-rushcutters-bay/) - Seaweed and animal species long missing from manmade shorelines are set to return to Rushcutters Bay thanks to a new ‘living seawall’ The living seawall of 90 habitat panels runs along two 12-metre stretches of the foreshore, providing local marine life with nooks and crevices to live in and encouraging more seaweed and animal species to - [ABC documentary featuring SIMS research](https://sims.org.au/community/fabulous-new-abc-documentary-features-sims-research/) - 'Australia's Ocean Odyssey' - ABC documentary series Screening - June 9, 16, and 23rd, 8.30pm This very exciting documentary series focuses on many of SIMS key research themes and episode 3, on June 23rd features our very own Operation Crayweed lead researchers, Dr Ziggy Marzinelli, and Dr. Adriana Verges. Australia's Ocean Odyssey takes us - [Artificial reefs increase fish abundance in habitat‐limited estuaries](https://sims.org.au/community/artificial-reefs-increase-fish-abundance-in-habitatlimited-estuaries/) - Artificial reefs increase fish abundance in habitat-linked estuaries Human activities have reduced the carrying capacity of many estuarine systems by degrading and removing habitat. Artificial reefs increase estuarine rocky‐reef habitat, but our understanding of their ecological impact was limited. In a boost for both recreational fishing and the environment, new research shows that - [SIMS Response to Covid 19](https://sims.org.au/community/covid-19/) - SIMS Response to Covid 19 Last updated: 21stJuly 2020 Please note this is a living document and will be updated regularly as things change. Please check back regularly. A message to Staff Given the COVID situation in NSW and Victoria is becoming more dynamic each day, we ask that SIMS staff, affiliate researchers - [Eating Habits of Baby Predator Starfish Revealed](https://sims.org.au/community/eating-habits-of-baby-predator-starfish-revealed/) - Juvenile crown-of-thorns starfish will eat almost anything to survive News story from University of Sydney Photo taken at One Tree Island on the Great Barrier Reef where the University of Sydney operates a Research Station New research from Dione Deaker, a PhD student at the University of Sydney, and her adviser Professor Maria Byrne, - [Shellfish toxin research helps protects lives and livelihood](https://sims.org.au/community/shellfish-toxin-research-helps-protects-lives-and-livelihood/) - Shellfish toxin research helps protects lives and livelihood News story from UTS Media: The Australian seafood industry is big business, around $2.2 billion big in fact, bought into sharp focus when COVID-19 hit and high value shellfish exports to China and Japan took a dive. While the prospect of cheaper seafood dinners gave locals something - [National Science Week 2020](https://sims.org.au/community/scienceweek2020/) - SIMS is excited to take part in another National Science Week, with some amazing marine science activities on offer featuring SIMS researchers, projects, and scientists from our member universities! Sydney Science Trail Head to their website to start your mission - activites will be open for one month only! Operation Crayweed - Help - [Bushfire Impact to Oysters](https://sims.org.au/community/bushfire-impact-to-oysters/) - How bushfire smoke could be harming our delicious oysters This article is republished from The Conversation. Byline: Shauna Murray, University of Technology Sydney and Penelope Ajani, University of Technology Sydney Oysters are filter feeders, extracting nutrients from the water, so that makes them very susceptible to water pollution such as that from bushfires. Researchers at - [The spread and impact of marine structures](https://sims.org.au/community/the-spread-and-impact-of/) - The spread and impact of Marine Structures This story is reproduced from the Cosmos magazine. More than 32,000 square kilometres of the world’s marine environment has been modified by human construction and this is likely to reach nearly 40,000 by 2028, according to a new global assessment. When flow-on effects in surrounding areas are included, the - [New Living Seawall in Balmain](https://sims.org.au/community/new-living-seawall-in-balmain/) - New Living Seawall Installation at Balmain Living Seawalls is a SIMS initiative that builds on years of Sydney-based marine green engineering research that shows retrofitting existing seawalls with habitat enhancing panels can improve the ecological performance of artificial structures. The Living Seawalls team are very excited to see the new panels installed at Thornton - [World Harbour Project News](https://sims.org.au/community/some-world-harbour-project-news/) - A global analysis of complexity-biodiversity relationships on marine artificial structures 3D printed habitat panels enhance biodiversity on seawalls in global harbours. The world’s coastlines and harbours are increasingly being covered in human built structures which lack the complexity of natural habitats, resulting in a major loss of associated wildlife and ecosystem functions. In some - [Message from our New Director, Professor Martina Doblin](https://sims.org.au/community/message-from-our-new-director-professor-martina-doblin/) - Investigating the Microbes of Sydney Harbour While some of our research activities have been slowed due to the pandemic, life in the ocean goes on. Below are just some of the beautiful and ornate microbes that dwell in the waters of Sydney Harbour. I’ve also - [Barangaroo Underwater Garden](https://sims.org.au/community/barangaroo-underwater-garden/) - A very unique underwater garden at Barangaroo SIMS is excited to see the realisation of a long term collaboration with Lend Lease, focussed on ensuring the marine structures at Watermans Cove, Barangaroo incorporate design features which enhance marine biodiversity. To increase their environmental sustainability, the urban structures were co-designed by blending ecology with innovative industrial design - [Get to know our new Director](https://sims.org.au/community/get-to-know-our-new-director/) - Get to know our new Director & CEO, Professor Martina Doblin As we draw to the end of 2020, and enter the UN Decade of Ocean Science, we wanted to introduce you to our new CEO and Director, Professor Martina Doblin. We think you will agree, SIMS is in very good hands. - [SIMS Holiday Break](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-hours-over-the-festive-period/) - SIMS' facilities will be closed from 5pm on 23rd December 2020. Reopening on 4th January 2021 - [Superstars of STEM](https://sims.org.au/community/superstars-of-stem/) - Superstars of STEM On the 2021 International Day of Women and Girls in Science, SIMS celebrates all the Superstars of STEM - reserving an extra special congratulations to our marine scientists. The Superstars of STEM program is creating a critical mass of celebrity Australian women who work as scientists and technologists - role - [CEO conversation with ABC Science Show](https://sims.org.au/community/the-science-show-and-sims/) - ABC The Science Show in conversation with SIMS CEO Martina Doblin 2021 marks the beginning of the UN Decade of Ocean Science so it was a perfect time for SIMS Ambassador and Science Show host, Robyn Williams to chat with SIMS CEO, Martina Doblin about research programs underway and plans for the future of SIMS.Listen to - [Sea-habilitation at the Museum of Design, Adelaide](https://sims.org.au/community/sea-habilitation/) - Sea-Habilitation at the Museum of Design, Adelaide SIMS is excited to be part of the fabulous It's Complicated exhibition at the Museum of Design, Adelaide. The excellent exhibition shines a light on 'sea-habilitation' through it's exploration of the power of design in the marine environment. Sea-habilitation allows visitors to engage with the Living Seawalls - [Sea Science @ SIMS - Holiday Program](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-holiday-program/) - We are delighted to announce the inaugural Sea Science @ SIMS Holiday Program this Easter holidays. Get in touch with us at education@sims.org.au to find out how you can become a marine scientist for a day. - [Living Seawalls join The Living Room](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-join-the-living-room/) - Living Seawalls meet The Living Room SIMS and the Living Seawalls team were excited to work with Network 10's The Living Room for a special feature showcasing the project's work in promoting biodiversity in Sydney Harbour. The Living Room's Dr Chris Brown joined SIMS researchers Dr Maria Vozzo and Dr. Aria Lee at the Living Seawalls site - [SIMS hosts Minister for the Environment and Threatened Species Commissioner](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-hosts-minister-for-the-environment-and-threatened-species-commissioner/) - Welcome to SIMS SIMS recently welcomed Minister Sussan Ley, Federal Environment Minister, and Dr Sally Box, Threatened Species Commissioner, to Chowder Bay. Our team of researchers were excited to share their research into seagrasses, carbon capture, threatened species and much more with such an eager group of visitors. The SIMS Ian Potter - [That's a Wrap](https://sims.org.au/community/its-a-wrap/) - That's a Wrap - Seaweed Forests Festival, Manly The Seaweed Forests Festival, Manly concluded on 9th May, following a month long program of science, art, ideas, workshops, dance, music, food, restoration, snorkelling and much more.We are immensely grateful to the NSW Government My Community Grant, the passion of the Lim-Sutton Initiative, the energy of Associate Professor - [Professor Iain Suthers 2021 Fulbright Scholar](https://sims.org.au/community/professor-iain-suthers-2021-fulbright-scholar/) - Congratulations! As a biological oceanographer, Prof Suthers' research has focused on how the ecology of plankton influences the survival of the early life stages of fish. Iain's work has made a significant contribution to the sustainable use of our oceans. For his Fulbright, Iain will focus on the century-old problem in fisheries - [SIMS is seeking a new Development Manager](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-is-seeking-a-new-development-manager/) - SIMS seeks a new Development Manager For full application details see here - [SIMS scientist on board RV Investigator Voyage](https://sims.org.au/community/sims-scientists-on-board-rv-investigator-voyage/) - CSIRO RV Investigator gathers data on the East Australian Current Professor Iain Suthers, from the University of UNSW, and SIMS joined a three week voyage in June this year, as the CSIRO research vessel, the RV Investigator trawled the length of Australia's eastern coastline, gathering data on the East Australian Current (EAC). Thank - [Inaugural Talbot Oration](https://sims.org.au/community/inaugural-talbot-oration/) - Inaugural Talbot Oration SIMS' Associate Member, the Australian Museum has announced the inaugural Talbot Oration. In a wonderful recognition of former Australian Museum Director Frank Talbot AM, this annual oration celebrates Frank Talbot's commitment to, and achievements in marine research and environmental studies in Australia and on the global stage. Frank's contribution to marine science as the - [Save the Date - 2022 Gala Emerald Dinner](https://sims.org.au/community/save-the-date-2021-gala-emerald-dinner/) - [Seaweed Forests Festival Podcast](https://sims.org.au/community/my-community-project/) - Podcast Series Seaweed Forests Festival, Manly The Festival has now wrapped up, but it's time to dive into the fabulous Seaweed Forests Festival Podcast and explore the wonder of seaweed celebrated so richly at the Seaweed Forests Festival, Manly. Listen in here or on your preferred podcast app - https://www.seaweedforestsfestival.com/podcasts/ Seaweeds are the - [A message from the Chair, SIMS Foundation](https://sims.org.au/community/a-message-from-chair-sims-foundation/) - A message from the Chair of the SIMS Foundation In this first year of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development it is a privilege to have taken up the role of Chair of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science Foundation. I would like to sincerely thank Mr Alec Brennan for - [Check-In Time at SeaBnB](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-earthshot-prize-finalist/) - Check- In time at SeaBnB! 140 Endangered Sydney Seahorses find a new home 140 baby White's seahorses raised in the nursery at SEA LIFE Sydney aquarium were released into the wild today at Delwood Beach and Little Manly. The White's Seahorse, also known as the Sydney Seahorse, is an endangered species - as is - [Living Seawalls - A Royal Foundation Earthshot Prize Finalist](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-earthshot-prize-finalist/) - Living Seawalls - A Royal Foundation Earthshot Prize Finalist - Reviving Our Oceans We are thrilled to announce that Living Seawalls has joined The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Foundation Earthshot Prize Family - one of only three finalists in the world selected in the oceans category of the most ‘prestigious environmental prize in history.’ - [Living Seawalls: Earthshot Finalists](https://sims.org.au/community/living-seawalls-finalists-in-the-earthshot-prize-reviving-our-oceans-category/) - Finalists in Earthshot Prize 'Reviving our Oceans' Category The first-ever Earthshot Prize awards ceremony took place at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London, where Coral Vita was announced as the winner of the Reviving our Oceans category. We congratulate Coral Vita and look forward to working alongside them and all the finalists as we move forward - [Professor Peter Steinberg wins NSW Premier's Prize](https://sims.org.au/community/professor-peter-steinberg-wins-nsw-premiers-prize/) - SIMS inaugural Director Professor Peter Steinberg wins NSW Premier's Prize for Science and Engineering A huge congratulations to Professor Peter Steinberg, inaugural Director of SIMS, on winning the Excellence in Biological Sciences award. Prof Steinberg is one of the founders of the field of marine chemical ecology and a leader in the integration of macroecology and environmental - [Project Kingfish officially underway!](https://sims.org.au/community/project-kingfish-officially-underway/) - Project Kingfish is a science initiative led by the SIMS in collaboration with Macquarie University, UNSW and NSW Department of Primary Industries. The project aims to satellite track movements of mature-sized yellowtail kingfish (>83 cm fork length) to fill current knowledge gaps about their regional movements, habitat use and connectivity, and gain insights into ## Pages - [Home](https://sims.org.au/) - The primary marine research institution of New South Wales We are the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). We lead science to revive our oceans. Research Education Community Partnerships Live Sydney Harbour water quality monitoringWe operate a real-time water quality monitoring system located in Chowder Bay. Click below to check it out! Click here2025 Annual - [Our People](https://sims.org.au/about/our-people/) - Our PeopleManagementProf. Martina Doblin CEO/Director Brett Fenton Chief Operating Officer Andrew Niccum Technical & Facilities Manager Amanda Scholes Operations Manager Brianna Munting Partnerships Manager Erin Denny Business Services & Engagement Manager Alan Maurice Grants Manager Samantha Hillman Operations Support & Aboriginal Program Manager Technical & FacilityEmily Bastow Technical Officer Sergio Torres Gabarda Aquarium Scientific Officer - [Wild Sydney Harbour](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/wild-sydney-harbour-2) - Wild Sydney HarbourWild Sydney Harbour is helping us better understand the incredible wildlife living in our marine backyard. By studying how these animals move and use their habitats, we can make more informed decisions about how best to protect them. Your donation will support this important research and help safeguard Sydney Harbour’s marine life for - [The Sydney Seahorse Project](https://sims.org.au/research/sydney-seahorse-project) - The Sydney Seahorse ProjectThe Sydney Seahorse Project is a collaborative project between the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, the University of Technology Sydney, and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, which aims to conserve the Endangered White’s seahorse. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia and are processed safely and - [Publications](https://sims.org.au/research/postgraduate-5) - PublicationsAnnual Reports See below for SIMS’s Annual Reports (2022-): 2025 Annual Report 2024 Annual Report 2023 Annual Report 2022 Annual Report Our Harbour Our Asset SIMS Associate Fellow Caroline Hoisington An overview of economic activities and values associated with Australia’s most iconic harbour and its use by the city that surrounds it. Sydney Institute of - [NSW Ocean Outlook](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-projects/nsw-ocean-outlook-program) - NSW Ocean OutlookThe NSW Ocean Outlook program, led by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and funded by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, is a science-driven research initiative that generates knowledge to support the sustainable use and management of the NSW Marine Estate. This work strengthens the blue economy and - [Education](https://sims.org.au/education/) - Education At SIMS, we’re passionate about inspiring the next generation of marine scientists. We support researchers at every stage of their journey, from postgraduate students and early career researchers to established scientists. We introduce school students to the exciting world of marine science through hands-on excursions and interactive workshops. Students have the opportunity to explore - [Flagship Projects](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-5-8/) - Flagship ProjectsIMOS – Integrated Marine Observing SystemVIEW PROJECT Project Restore VIEW MICROSITENSW Ocean OutlookVIEW PROJECT Sydney Harbour Research ProgrammeVIEW PROJECTProject KingfishVIEW PROJECTThe Gamay InitiativeVIEW PROJECTThe Sydney Seahorse ProjectVIEW PROJECTLiving SeawallsVIEW PROJECTOperation CrayweedVIEW PROJECTOperation PosidoniaVIEW PROJECTWorld Harbour ProjectVIEW PROJECTWorld Harbour Seascape Restoration ProgrammeVIEW PROJECT FLAGSHIP PROJECTSThe Gamay InitiativeVIEW PROJECTIMOS – Integrated Marine Observing SystemVIEW PROJECTSydney Harbour - [Facilities](https://sims.org.au/facilities) - FacilitiesSIMS’ research facility serves as a non-remote field station for marine science in Sydney Harbour. Located at Chowder Bay on Middle Head and with vessels and capability for launch and retrieval on site, SIMS provides easy access to the local marine environment. This access couples with five modern research laboratories, including a research aquarium with - [Contact](https://sims.org.au/contact) - Contact UsSIMS Administration and Research Sydney Institute of Marine Science 19 Chowder Bay Road, Mosman NSW 2088 T: +61 2 9435 4600 F: +61 2 9969 8664 E: info@sims.org.au Mon – Fri (9am – 5pm) SIMS Media For all media enquiries, please contact: E: media@sims.org.au During business hours: T: 02 9435 4601 Outside business hours: T: +61 476 - [Governance](https://sims.org.au/about/governance) - Governance×Brett Fenton General Manager, SIMS Brett Fenton is the General Manager of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. He is a graduate of the University of Sydney (BSc Hons) where he majored in chemistry and geology, before working with heavy metals in natural systems at UNSW. In 2000 Brett moved away from a career in - [No Access](https://sims.org.au/no-access/) - [World Harbour Project](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/world-harbour-project) - World Harbour ProjectInitiated by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), the goal of the World Harbour Project (WHP) is to develop resilient urban ports and harbours through a global network of collaborating scientists. The Project brings together international research institutions and agencies concerned with the health of these heavily urbanised waterways and the increasing - [Year 10 Work Experience Program](https://sims.org.au/education/year-10-work-experience) - SIMS Year 10 Work Experience Program 2025 The SIMS Work Experience Program is an engaging, hands-on opportunity for students who are curious about the ocean and interested in marine science. Held over three days during Term 4 (November) at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, the program cannot be offered outside this period and provides - [Topics In Australian Marine Science](https://sims.org.au/education/topics-in-australian-marine-science) - Topics In Australian Marine Science (TAMS)TAMS is the core subject in the Master of Marine Science and Management program that is taught here at SIMS. TAMS is team-taught by scientists from the three of SIMS’ partner universities: University of New South Wales, University of Sydney and Macquarie University. You will be learning from the leaders - [Newsletters](https://sims.org.au/community/newsletters) - NewslettersNewslettersSIMS distributes bi-monthly newsletters to our supporters and interested parties, highlighting research projects, upcoming events and day to day operations. Click here to have the latest newsletters sent to you electronically. See below for a selection of SIMS archived newsletters: 20242023202220212020201920182017201620152024 SIMS News: November 2024 SIMS News: August 2024 SIMS News: June 2024 SIMS News: - [Adopt a Marine Animal](https://sims.org.au/7425-2/) - [Adopt A Marine Animal, Support Our Research](https://sims.org.au/adopt-a-marine-animal-2/) - Support a SealSupport a Sea TurtleSupport a SeahorseSupport a SharkYour symbolic adoption will enable us to keep doing things like this…So we can keep our oceans looking like this…At SIMS, we’re working every day to understand, restore, and protect Australia’s most threatened and iconic marine species. When you symbolically adopt an animal, you’re not buying - [Community](https://sims.org.au/community/) - CommunityRECENT NEWS & EVENTS Search for: Exploring Marine Science at the Sydney Science TrailErin Denny2026-09-14T13:09:13+10:00September 14th, 2026| The Sydney Institute of Marine Science was delighted to take part in the Sydney Science Trail at the Australian Museum for three incredibly fun and action-packed days. Our interactive display gave studentsRead More Boating Community Comes Together to - [SIMS Masters Program](https://sims.org.au/education/sims-masters-program/) - SIMS Masters ProgramThe Master of Marine Science and Management program is taught under the framework of SIMS as a partnership between four major Australian universities. It is a unique Australian cross-institutional postgraduate marine science program, which will combine each institute’s strengths in marine science research and education to provide a truly multidisciplinary learning environment. The - [Exploring the Planktiverse](https://sims.org.au/education/exploring-the-planktiverse/) - Exploring the PlanktiverseA VIRTUAL LEARNING WORKSHOP Exploring the Planktiverse What do jellyfish and green algae have in common? They’re both forms of plankton! The word plankton comes from the Greek word planktos, meaning “wanderer”, and comprises a large and diverse group of biota defined by their inability to swim actively against a current. Explore the incredible - [Biodiversity of Sydney Harbour](https://sims.org.au/education/biodiversity-of-sydney-harbour/) - Biodiversity of Sydney HarbourA VIRTUAL LEARNING WORKSHOP Biodiversity of Sydney Harbour Suitable For: Stages 2-4 (Science/Geography) Sydney Harbour is one of the most biodiverse harbours in the world! More than 580 different species of fish and 2473 species of polychaetes, crustaceans, echinoderms and molluscs have been recorded in the waters of Sydney Harbour. And that’s - [Microbe Mania!](https://sims.org.au/education/microbe-mania) - Microbe Mania!A VIRTUAL LEARNING WORKSHOP An Introduction to Marine Microorganisms When you hear the word microbes, what comes to your mind? Something that we cannot see with the naked eye? Microscopic organisms that can hijack our healthy cells and make us sick? We have all heard about negative things that microbes can do – especially now - [Fieldwork](https://sims.org.au/facilities-38) - Fieldwork DIVING CONTACTS NAME EMAIL SIMS Diving group – diving@sims.org.au Dive officer Penny McCracken penny.mccracken@sims.org.au Alternate Dive Officer James van den Broek James.vandenbroek@sims.org.au Fieldwork Manager Phil McDowall Phil.mcdowall@sims.org.au Facility Manager Amanda Scholes Amanda.scholes@sims.org.au Boat Manager Nigel Coombes nigel.coombes@sims.org.au All Fieldwork Notifications – fieldwork@sims.org.au DIVING RESOURCES PURPOSE FILE FORMAT Dive Manual Procedure PDF DIVE01 – Diver - [Accommodation](https://sims.org.au/facilities-37) - AccommodationYour On-Site AccomodationAccommodation with some of the best views of Sydney Harbour is available for use by visiting scientists and their families. The accommodation is located within the SIMS Administration building and is also available for researchers carrying out 24 hour experimentation. Accommodation includes: Four bunk rooms, with one bunk bed in each Double room - [Conference Rooms](https://sims.org.au/facilities-36) - Conference RoomsHold Your Meetings at SIMSSIMS’ conference facilities offer a flexible environment for meetings and conference workshops, with ‘breakout’ access onto the deck which has panoramic views of Sydney Harbour.The Boardroom The boardroom has direct access to the deck, can accommodate a maximum of 12 people seated, and can be used in conjunction with the - [Aquarium](https://sims.org.au/facilities-35) - AquariumIan Potter Research AquariumThe Ian Potter Research Aquarium was opened on 3rd August 2011, by Lady Potter AC, Life Governor of The Ian Potter Foundation.The research aquarium provides a constant supply of flowthrough seawater at ambient conditions pumped directly from Sydney Harbour. This system pumps up to 1.3 million litres of seawater a day and - [Vehicles](https://sims.org.au/facilities-34) - VehiclesThe SIMS fleet of vehicles includes: Toyota Land Cruiser GX 200, providing towing capability for larger vessels and reliability off-road. This vehicle is perfect for long towing trips for research further afield. Toyota Hilux with a secure wet-tray, suitable for loading dive gear. The Triton is also capable of towing small and medium sized vessels. - [Vessels](https://sims.org.au/facilities-29) - VesselsSIMS has four commercially registered vessels available for research: For further information/bookings please contact vessels@sims.org.au Kirby II is a custom built 5.8m Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B) with twin high-thrust 60hp Yamaha Motors. Restricted 2C survey status allows for near-coastal and in-shore operations. The Kirby II features ample workspace for scuba diving, snorkelling and use of - [Marine Microbial Biotoxins Facility](https://sims.org.au/facilities-22) - Marine Microbial Biotoxins FacilityThe Marine Microbial Biotoxins Facility (MMBF) at SIMS is a unique and specialist laboratory that employs a variety of techniques to analyse an array of environmental samples for chemical compounds at trace concentrations. The MMBF was formed through a collaborative partnership between scientists at the University of NSW, the University of Technology - [Laboratories](https://sims.org.au/facilities-21) - LaboratoriesSIMS’ laboratory spaces enable collaborative marine research across the eastern coast of Australia with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.SIMS’ laboratory spaces enable collaborative marine research across the eastern coast of Australia with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. The laboratories facilitate local, national and international collaborative research and are enhanced through shared access to a range of leading - [Sydney Harbour Water Quality](https://sims.org.au/facilities-20) - September SIMS - [Acknowledgement](https://sims.org.au/about/acknowledgement) - AcknowledgementACKNOWLEDGING CAMMERAYGAL COUNTRYThe Sydney Institute of Marine Science proudly acknowledges the traditional owners of the land and water upon we stand, the Cammeraygal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to past, present and future ancestors of the Aboriginal nations, and acknowledge their spiritual connection to land, sea and sky and extend that - [Media](https://sims.org.au/about/media) - MediaSIMS aims to establish a relationship between the marine science research community and our local community. For all media enquiries, please contact media@sims.org.au or call (02) 9435 4600. 20252024202320222021202020192018201720162025 February Watch “Underwater Robot” on BBC Click Seahorse Saviour (Mosman Daily) March The Sydney Seahorse Project on Planet Wild: Mission 25 Connection with nature turns hope - [Partners](https://sims.org.au/about/partners) - PartnersFOUNDING MEMBERSASSOCIATE MEMBERSPARTNERING WITH PURPOSE: BE AN OCEAN CHANGEMAKER The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) is a world leading marine research hub. What do partnerships look like? Commercial Partnerships Research Partnerships Philanthropic Partnerships Community Partnerships Protect Our Oceans, Secure Our Future Partnering with SIMS means investing in world-class science that safeguards marine ecosystems for - [2030 Strategies](https://sims.org.au/about/2030-strategies/) - Our SIMS 2032 Strategy captures our responsibility to safeguard and restore the marine environments that shape life in Australia and beyond. It builds on two decades of innovation, partnership, and world-class science — and the lessons we’ve learned from a rapidly changing world. As we look to the decade ahead, we aim for our work - [About](https://sims.org.au/about/) - About UsOVERVIEWThe Sydney Institute of Marine Science, founded in 2005 and located on Chowder Bay in Sydney Harbour, is a world-leading marine science institute and the principal marine research facility in NSW. The Sydney Institute of Marine Science is a partnership between Macquarie University, the University of NSW, the University of Sydney and the University - [Habitat Restoration](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-16/) - Habitat RestorationIn the Sydney Harbour region, habitat restoration efforts are gaining momentum, with a current focus on enhancing the establishment of habitat-forming oyster beds and seaweeds to both natural and artificial hard substrata. However, the most extensive habitats within the harbour are soft and sandy sediments, which provide key ecosystem functions such as recycling excess - [Fish and Fisheries](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-17/) - Fish and FisheriesSydney Harbour is host to around 580 species of fish, making it amongst the most bio-diverse estuaries for fish in the world. This diversity underpins the important social and economic value of the Harbour, supporting activities such as snorkelling, SCUBA diving and recreational fishing. The Harbour is also a nursery for juvenile fish - [Biodoversity](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-15/) - BiodiversityWith over 3500 fish and invertebrate species recorded to date, Sydney Harbour is a global biodiversity hotspot. Yet, many species within the harbour remain unsampled and total diversity is likely to be even higher. In collaboration with the Australian Museum, research under this theme will assess the invertebrate and microbial communities in the Harbour, which remain - [Sydney Harbour Research Program](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-14/) - Sydney Harbour Research ProgramThe Sydney Harbour Research Program (SHRP) is an innovative collaboration of researchers from a range of disciplines that carries out key research to explore, enhance and restore the diverse species and habitats within the harbour. SHRP delivers scientific data and expertise to help policy makers, managers, stakeholders and the public understand Sydney’s - [The Gamay (Botany Bay) Project](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-12/) - The Gamay (Botany Bay) ProjectPROJECTThe Gamay (Botany Bay) Project: Integrating management with ecosystem ecology to ensure a sustainable future Gamay (Botany Bay) is currently managed under a range on ongoing efforts, some considering specific sub-sections of the Bay (e.g., Coastal Management Programs and local council activities) and others which consider management issues at much larger - [Science of Gamay](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-13/) - Science of GamayPROJECTScience of Gamay: A systematic review of current knowledge of Botany Bay There is growing desire for ecosystem-level management of urban waterways, but management efforts are often challenged by a lack of integrated knowledge. Gamay is no exception to this, despite the bay being the subject of much scientific research over the years. - [Education](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-11/) - World Harbour ProjectWG4 – EDUCATIONThe unusual nature of harbours and ports—as a setting for high levels of human activity, such as shipping, industry, tourism, fishing and sometimes recreation—can complicate management efforts. Worldwide there is a movement towards sustainable development of urbanised systems, both on land and in the ocean. For this to be effective, managers - [Multiple Uses and Users](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-10/) - World Harbour ProjectWG3 – Multiple Uses and UsersHarbours are often places with lots of stakeholders whose decisions are really important. Stakeholders – governments, national and international businesses and industries, hinterlands and forelands and communities – have not yet figured much in harbour research. Researchers in this World Harbour Working Group have brought together knowledge of - [Green Engineering](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-9/) - World Harbour ProjectWG2 – GREEN ENGINEERINGAs coasts become more urbanised, and foreshores and waterways are developed for residential and industrial purposes, coastal environments are gradually being built over. Natural habitats that support complex assemblages of native flora and fauna are being lost at a rapid rate. The development of artificial structures (e.g. breakwaters & groynes, - [Water and Sediment Quality](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-8/) - World Harbour ProjectWG1 – WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITYAs a result of residential and industrial development, harbour waters and sediments, often become enriched with nutrients and subject to sedimentation and elevated loads of pollutants, such as particulate matter, heavy metals, metalloids and organic contaminants. WG1 aims to comprehend and compare how these stressors impinge upon the - [WHP Publications](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-7/) - World Harbour ProjectPUBLICATIONSThe World Harbour Project aims to facilitate collaboration on research within global harbours and to enhance robustness of management outcomes. A large component of the project’s deliverables are scientific journal articles specific to the issues this project aims to highlight. Below is a list of those produced as a result of this collaboration - [Project Kingfish](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-6/) - Project KingfishThe Problem Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) are one of Australia’s most valued fish species. An estimated 100,000 kingfish are fished recreationally in New South Wales each year, with an additional ~100 tons caught commercially. Despite their widespread popularity among anglers, and their important economic value, relatively little is known about the species. Major knowledge - [Living Seawalls](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-4/) - Living SeawallsLiving Seawalls provides an evidence-based solution to increasing the ecological value of artificial structures in the marine environment. Living Seawalls is built upon over 20 years of scientific research, conducted by our team and others, that demonstrates that incorporating ecologically friendly principles into new and existing construction can have significant biodiversity benefits. For more information, - [Cockatoo Island/Wareamah Marine Restoration Pilot Project](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4-3/) - Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Marine Restoration Pilot ProjectThe Cockatoo Island Marine Restoration Pilot Project, a collaborative initiative between the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (Harbour Trust), seeks to enhance marine biodiversity and expand our knowledge of the island’s marine environment. Aligned with the Harbour Trust’s Cockatoo Island / - [IMOS Animal Tracking Facility](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-4/) - IMOS Animal Tracking FacilityThe IMOS Animal Tracking Facility, led by SIMS, comprises two complementary sub-Facilities — Acoustic Telemetry and Animal Tagging. Each uses distinct technologies to track species and deliver long-term, high-resolution data on the movement, behaviour and ecology of marine and freshwater animals, while also providing critical ocean observations from some of the world’s - [Initiatives](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-5-10/) - InitiativesArt-Meets-Science OutreachMORE INFOSydney Harbour Research ProgramMORE INFOEmerald DinnerMORE INFODoctoral Fellowship ProgramMORE INFO - [Our Impact](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-5-9/) - Our ImpactWorking with our scientific and research community, the SIMS Foundation has supported work that has: Reversed the local extinction of a vital seaweed habitat through Operation Crayweed Influenced the requirement by Infrastructure NSW for green engineering in major urban renewal projects through our Living Seawalls program Worked alongside NSW Government to develop environmental health indicators, and models such as - [The Gamay Initiative](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-5-5/) - The Gamay InitiativeThe Gamay Initiative brings together expertise from a range of disciplines to promote science and management in Gamay (Botany Bay) that protects biodiversity and ecosystem functioning whilst meeting the social, cultural and economic needs of humans now and into the future. The aim of the Gamay Initiative is to facilitate collaboration and cooperation - [Science Week Gamay](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-5-4/) - Indigenous Knowledge and Marine Science in Gamay As part of National Science Week, the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and the Gamay Rangers will host an evening of knowledge exchange involving First Nations people, scientists, and community members from the Gamay (Botany Bay) area in Sydney. It will consist of a public evening event - [Water Quality — NSW and Beyond](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-5-3/) - Water Quality — NSW and BeyondThe Sydney Institute of Marine Science spearheads and partners on a range of projects examining water quality across New South Wales and nationally. Through collaboration with universities, government and industry, SIMS supports research that improves understanding of how our waterways function, how they are changing and how they can be - [Project Restore](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-5-2/) - Project RestoreProject Restore is a collaboration between SIMS, The NSW Environmental Trust and the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Your donation can amplify the impact the SIMS team are able to have as we carry out this world-leading project. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia and - [Integrated Marine Observing System](https://sims.org.au/research/flagship-programs/the-gamay-initiative/project2-5/) - Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS)The Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is a national collaborative research infrastructure program supported by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). IMOS operates as a fully integrated national system, observing ocean-basin and regional scales, and measuring key physical, biological and chemical variables that underpin marine research, - [Research](https://sims.org.au/research/postgraduate-4) - ResearchOceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface. They are a fundamental life sustaining feature of our planet, absorbing heat and circulating it around the globe to regulate our climate. The heat capacity of the top three metres of the ocean is equivalent to that of the whole of the atmosphere. Our research is solution focused - [SIMS Early Career Researchers](https://sims.org.au/research/postgraduate-3) - SIMS Early Career ResearchersSIMS Early Career ResearchersCurrent PostdocsThe future of marine science research is in good hands with the SIMS Early Career Research team. Based here at SIMS, the team work across a variety of research projects, represent diverse research disciplines, and play an important role in contributing to our dynamic research environment. (click headshot - [Research Applications](https://sims.org.au/research/postgraduate-2) - Research ApplicationsSIMS brings together NSW’s leading marine scientists at one collaborative site maximising the efficient use of resources for research on Australia’s critical coastal environments. Our facilities are available to researchers at our member universities as well as external organisations. Priority is given to applications received from member universities and is subject to availability of - [Postgraduate](https://sims.org.au/research/postgraduate) - PostgraduateAn important dimension of the growth of SIMS is the development of an extensive and interdisciplinary research capacity. We aspire to offer the very best facilities and support to attract the brightest and most innovative researchers. A key component of this are the post graduate opportunities offered in the form of the SIMS Masters Program - [Careers](https://sims.org.au/careers/) - Current Job Listings We are not currently hiring. Please keep an eye on our social media for updates in the future. Thank you for your interest in SIMS - [Donations](https://sims.org.au/donations) - Donate to SIMS ResearchSupport the work we do at SIMSDonations to SIMS Research helps provide long term support for research, research training and community engagement. SIMS Research is solution focused and our research results in novel approaches and technologies for enhancement of our iconic waterways. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia - [World Harbour Seascape Restoration Programme](https://sims.org.au/world-harbour-seascape-restoration-programme/) - World Harbour Seascape Restoration (WHSR) Programme brings together multiple ecosystem restoration initiatives to provide a template for restoration of whole seascapes in urbanised areas across the globe. In 2024 the WHSR Programme became an official United Nations Endorsed Programme. You can watch a short video on the project and the endorsement here. So how is - [SIMS Composite 2030 Strategy](https://sims.org.au/sims-composite-2030-strategy/) - Download our Composite 2030 Strategy here - [SIMS 2030 Strategy (short form)](https://sims.org.au/sims-2030-strategy-short-form/) - 2030 STRATEGY SHORT FORM - [SIMS Research Strategy 2025-2030](https://sims.org.au/sims-research-strategy-2025-2030/) - SIMS Research Strategy 2025-2030 - [August 2025 - Composite 2030 SIMS Strategy Deck v2.0](https://sims.org.au/august-2025-composite-2030-sims-strategy-deck-v2-0/) - August 2025 - Composite 2030 SIMS Strategy Deck v2.0 - [Into the Deep Links](https://sims.org.au/into-the-deep-links/) - Thank you for joining us for our National Science Week Event! We hope you walk away feeling inspired and equipped with the knowledge to pursue a career in the marine space weather that be through research, science communication, or more! HANDS ON WORK EXPERIENCE SIMS – Sydney Institute of Marine Science SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium - [Sydney Coral Project](https://sims.org.au/sydney-coral-project/) - Sydney Coral ProjectTrack subtropical coral species expanding polewards in NSW through citizen science Report SightingThe Problem As global oceans continue to warm, many marine species are on the move. While this shift often rings alarm bells, it has led to an unexpected story unfolding beneath the waves of Sydney’s temperate coastline: coral. That’s right — - [Terms & Conditions](https://sims.org.au/terms-and-conditions) - Terms & ConditionsThis disclaimer should be read in its entirety. The information available through sims.org.au (this site) is not a substitute for independent and personal professional medical advice. This site contains information, data, documents, policies, procedures, guidelines, images and general material prepared by Sydney Institute of Marine Science. Sydney Institute of Marine Science wishes to - [Privacy](https://sims.org.au/privacy) - PrivacySydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals. There are occasions where Sydney Institute of Marine Science collects personal information, including sensitive health information, from individuals in order to fulfil its roles of providing support, awareness and advocacy. Sydney Institute of Marine Science complies with the National Privacy Principles - [Payment Failed](https://sims.org.au/payment-failed/) - Payment FailedWe’re sorry, but your transaction failed to process. Please try again later or email info@sims.org.au. - [Payment Confirmation](https://sims.org.au/payment-confirmation/) - Donation successfulUnable to locate payment record. - [Offline Donations](https://sims.org.au/donations/offline-donations) - Offline DonationsShould you prefer to process your donation through a bank transfer please contact us at info@sims.org.au and we will provide all the details. Thank you again for your support. Kind Regards, SIMS - [Art-Meets-Science Outreach](https://sims.org.au/foundation/initiatives/art-meets-science-outreach) - Art-Meets-Science OutreachSculpture by the Sea An art installation celebrating Operation Crayweed, a scientific project to replant forests of seaweed that disappeared from the Sydney coastline in the 1980s, was a feature of the 2016 Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi. Operation Crayweed Art-Work-Site was a collaboration between artists Jennifer Turpin and Michaelie Crawford, of Turpin + - [Emerald Dinner](https://sims.org.au/foundation/initiatives/emerald-dinner) - Emerald DinnerThe Emerald Dinner is a great opportunity to support vital marine research at SIMS. 20182017201620152014201320112018 Thank you to all our wonderful guests, supporters and sponsors who made the 2018 Emerald Dinner such a success. The evening had a great ‘vibe’ and our key speakers , shark researchers, Vic Peddemors and Amy Smoothey, did a - [Doctoral Fellowship Program](https://sims.org.au/foundation/initiatives/doctoral-fellowship-program) - Doctoral Fellowship ProgramThe Foundation supports the awarding of doctoral fellowships at SIMS. The objective is to increase the supply of highly qualified marine scientists by encouraging more people to proceed towards a PhD degree in the marine sciences. Visit the SIMS Postgraduate page to read more about current and past SIMS Fellows. - [Who We Are](https://sims.org.au/foundation/who-we-are) - Who We AreSIMS Foundation Directors Our Directors bring their knowledge of the ocean, marine science, higher education, research, governance, and global ocean action to the task of guiding the SIMS Foundation’s mission as a sustainable organisation that provides fundraising support for the objects and purposes of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. (click headshot for - [Our Supporters](https://sims.org.au/foundation/our-supporters) - Our SupportersWe are inspired by our supporters’ commitment to advancing marine science research. Their voices reflect partnerships built on genuine collaboration, where supporters rapidly become our most vocal ambassadors, amplifying the value of SIMS’ marine science solutions. A Frank Conversation A not to be missed conversation with SIMS Founding Chair, Professor Frank Talbot Lim- Sutton - [The Future Makers](https://sims.org.au/foundation/the-future-makers) - The Future MakersThe Future Makers were those visionaries who supported the first fund raising appeal for SIMS, and who played a major part in launching SIMS on its way. We are truly grateful for this band of initial supporters and they hold a significant place in the history of SIMS. Peter Jones Sue and Colin - [Corporate Partnerships](https://sims.org.au/foundation/corporate-partnerships) - Corporate PartnershipsThere are a range of opportunities for corporate partnerships with the SIMS Foundation. Funding can be aligned to specific projects or infrastructure. By aligning your organisation with the SIMS Foundation you will be assisting one of the major marine research institutes in Australia and you will be able to use your partnership to engage - [Research Themes](https://sims.org.au/foundation/research-themes) - Research ThemesMajor Research and Innovation Themes: Understanding and ameliorating the impacts of urbanisation on estuaries and coasts Understanding, mitigating, and adapting to the impacts of climate change on marine and coastal systems Providing ocean observations and information products for evidence-based decision-making Restoring and remediating damaged and degraded marine and coastal systems Emerging Themes: Ocean finance - [Our History](https://sims.org.au/foundation/our-history) - Our HistoryThe SIMS Foundation has provided charitable fundraising support for the Sydney Institute of Marine Science since its inception in 2005. The charitable support from the Ian Potter Foundation and Thyne Reid Foundation underpinned further support from both State and Federal Governments and allowed the creation of the facilities that we have today on beautiful - [Our Invitation](https://sims.org.au/foundation/our-invitation) - Our Invitation The SIMS Foundation has enjoyed strong and long-term support from our donors, friends, neighbours and board members for many years. There many ways you can contribute and participate and we invite you to join our community of supporters. GET IN TOUCH FOR MORE INFORMATION - [Gift in Will](https://sims.org.au/foundation/gift-in-will) - Gift in Will A bequest to the SIMS Foundation is a generous investment in the future sustainability of our ocean and harbour environments. We all work hard for the financial security of our partners, children and loved ones but many people prefer not to think about what will happen after they are gone. We all - [Supporting SIMS](https://sims.org.au/foundation/supporting-sims) - Supporting SIMSThe Sydney Institute of Marine Science enables world leading marine science and research to make a significant contribution to ensuring our coastal and marine environments are healthy, resilient, and effectively managed. The SIMS Foundation meets six times a year to discuss science and research priorities, and how we can best support our community of - [Why We Do This](https://sims.org.au/foundation/why-we-do-this) - Why We Do ThisCovering more than 70% of the planet’s surface, the ocean is home to an enormous biodiversity of animals, plants and microorganisms. It is the cooling system of our planet, a major carbon sink, is the source of more than half the oxygen we breathe, and is the primary source of protein for - [Donate to SIMS Foundation](https://sims.org.au/foundation/donate-to-sims-foundation) - Donate to SIMS FoundationDonate to SIMS FoundationThe Sydney Institute of Marine Science Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation with charitable status that has been established to work closely with SIMS and its scientists to help progress our understanding, protection and sustainable use of the marine environment. Donations to the SIMS Foundation of $2 or more are ## Payment Forms - [](https://sims.org.au/?simple-pay=donate-to-the-sydney-seahorse-project) - [](https://sims.org.au/?simple-pay=donate-to-sims-research-duplicate-2) - [](https://sims.org.au/?simple-pay=donate-to-project-kingfish) - [](https://sims.org.au/?simple-pay=donate-to-project-kingfish-duplicate-2) - [](https://sims.org.au/?simple-pay=animal-recovery-donation-form) - [](https://sims.org.au/?simple-pay=donate-to-project-kingfish-duplicate) - [](https://sims.org.au/?simple-pay=donate-to-sims-research) - [](https://sims.org.au/?simple-pay=donate-to-sims-research-duplicate) ## Events - [Sunday Sessions with Sue Liu](https://sims.org.au/event/sunday-sessions-with-sue-liu/) - Sunday Sessions with Wildcard Sue are back! Budding artists of all ages gathered at SIMS for a relaxed, hands-on workshop blending marine science and creativity—sketching sea creatures, learning new techniques, and reconnecting with the natural world. SUNDAY SESSION FORMAT 9am-10:15am Reignite your Creative Spark Introduction - Adults Only - 31yrs + $55 per person 10:30am-1pm - - [2026 Emerald Gala](https://sims.org.au/event/2026-emerald-gala/) - THE 2026 EMERALD GALA An evening dedicated to Transforming our Oceans — raising funds to secure the future of ocean science. Hosted by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, the Emerald Dinner is a premier fundraising event bringing together leaders from science, industry, government and philanthropy to invest in Australia’s marine science research. RSVP via - [BREW for the BLUE 2](https://sims.org.au/event/brew-for-the-blue-2/) - Brew for the Blue — Alexandria Edition (Oct 16) You asked, we listened — we’re bringing you another Brew for the Blue on Thursday, October 16. We’re changing up the location and taking it to Alexandria, hosted by our kind venue partner Blackwattle Brewery. More room, bigger screens, and space for up to 200 ocean - [INTO THE DEEP - National Science Week](https://sims.org.au/event/into-the-deep-national-science-week/) - Into the Deep: science today, for our oceans tomorrow is an after-hours event hosted by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium during National Science Week. Set inside one of Sydney’s most iconic ocean spaces, this immersive experience invites students, educators, researchers, families, and emerging scientists to explore the cutting - [White Rock Film Screenings at SIMS](https://sims.org.au/event/white-rock-film-screenings-at-sims/) - ​"White Rock is a 45-minute documentary exposing a hidden impact of the climate crisis - the explosion of longspined sea urchins devastating Australia's kelp forests. Through stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, White Rock exposes the threat and presents tangible solutions to save Australia’s kelp forests before it's too late." - Great Southern Reef Foundation website - [Sunday Sessions with Wildcard-Sue](https://sims.org.au/event/sunday-sessions-with-wildcard-sue/) - Our first-ever Sunday Session with Wildcard Sue kicked off strong earlier this month! Budding artists of all ages gathered at SIMS for a relaxed, hands-on workshop blending marine science and creativity—sketching sea creatures, learning new techniques, and reconnecting with the natural world. Missed out? Don’t worry—Round Two is coming up on the first Sunday of - [Launch of glass art collaboration with Twice Gifted Glass and State of Mind, Manly](https://sims.org.au/event/launch-of-glass-art-collaboration-with-twice-gifted-glass-and-state-of-mind-manly/) - Twice Gifted Glass x SIMS x State of Mind, Manly Women-led art + science + sustainability collaboration Exhibition Dates: June 7 – July 6, 2025 Location: State of Mind, Manly Join us for the opening launch of an exciting art and community collaboration! This collaboration brings together glass artist Louise Fussell (Twice Gifted Glass), eco-conscious - [BREW FOR THE BLUE](https://sims.org.au/event/brew-for-the-blue/) - Brew for the Blue: Thursday June 5th Join us this World Oceans Day for A Brew for the Blue-We are so thrilled to be partnering up with 4 Pines Brewery Manly for an afternoon of lightning talks from SIMS researchers, an underwater photography contest showcase, and a community toast to the sea. More details 👉RSVP ## Downloads - [SIMS_rp_1920x1080_img33.jpg](https://sims.org.au/download/7963/?tmstv=1789357332) - [Learn with SIMS](https://sims.org.au/download/7911/?tmstv=1789357332) - [2026 Student Resource Pack](https://sims.org.au/download/7895/?tmstv=1789357332) - [Untitled design](https://sims.org.au/download/7865/?tmstv=1789357332) - [Changing Oceans Science and Synthesis](https://sims.org.au/download/7839/?tmstv=1789357332) ## Portfolio - [Can Crustaceans Adapt to Climate Change?](https://sims.org.au/projects/can-crustaceans-adapt-to-climate-change) - Over the past ten years, scientists have been researching the potential for species to adapt to our quickly changing environment. Our oceans are undergoing unprecedented sea surface warming and increased acidification. To test how species may adapt to these stressors, they need to be exposed for multiple generations to allow for selection of the more - [Sediment Rehabilitation Program](https://sims.org.au/projects/sediment-rehabilitation-program) - SHRP Sediment Rehabilitation Program A key goal of the Sydney Harbour Research Program (SHRP) is to develop nature-based solutions to the environmental problems faced by urbanised estuaries around Sydney. One of the most pervasive and long-standing issues is that of pollution. Sydney’s history of industrialisation has left a legacy of metal contamination in estuarine sediments, added - [Resistance and Resilience of Oysters](https://sims.org.au/projects/resistance-and-resilience-of-oysters) - In coastal marine systems 95% of all biodiversity is found within biogenic habitats, such as seagrasses, seaweeds and oysters. Yet, these species are in decline threatening the integrity and functioning of coastal marine ecosystems. In particular greater than 90% of all beds of the native oyster Saccostrea glomerata have been decimated. Restoration of habitat-formers is - [Oysters as Habitat for Fish](https://sims.org.au/projects/oysters-as-habitat-for-fish) - Remnant Oyster Reefs as Fish Habitats As awareness of the extent of oyster reef loss has grown, so too has interest in oyster reef restoration. The development of realistic goals for restoration requires knowledge of the services provided by remnant oyster reefs, and the habitat contexts under which these services are maximised. Francisco Martinez Baena - [Does Ocean Acidification affect Prey Escape Behaviour of Seastars?](https://sims.org.au/projects/does-ocean-acidification-affect-prey-escape-behaviour-of-seastars) - A novel system to examine whether climate change stressors affect interspecific predator-prey interactions Predation is a strong structuring mechanism and selective force in ecological communities, however, there is relatively little known regarding how predator-prey relationships will be affected by climate change stressors. Ocean Acidification (OA), a result of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, is known to affect - [Microplastic Distribution and Diversity](https://sims.org.au/projects/microplastic-distribution-and-diversity/) - This research conducted at SIMS will investigate patterns between population density and microplastic contamination in fish. The work will also investigate the relationship between different feeding strategies of fish and the chance of microplastic ingestion. We have collected fish samples from four estuaries along the NSW coast and have started processing them for microplastic contamination. - [The Botany Bay Project](https://sims.org.au/projects/the-botany-bay-project) - Integrating management with ecosystem ecology to ensure a sustainable future Kamay (Botany Bay) is an ecologically diverse and culturally and economically important region that is under intense urbanisation pressures. To manage these pressures, there are a range of management efforts at different scales, some considering separate sub-sections of the Bay (e.g. Coastal Management Programs and - [The Hidden Wonder of NSW Corals](https://sims.org.au/projects/the-hidden-wonder-of-nsw-corals) - New Research Project with the James N Kirby Foundation SIMS & UNSW, in partnership with the James N Kirby Foundation, are working together on this exciting research project ‘The Hidden Wonders of NSW Corals’. This project is being carried out by Associate Professor Tracy Ainsworth, Dr Coulson Lantz, and members of the Coral Research Group - [The Microbe Factor](https://sims.org.au/projects/the-microbe-factor) - Microbes have long been implicated in host health and functioning in systems ranging from the human gut to temperate grasslands. Within marine systems, Corals and Sponges have been the major focus in this research area over the past half century. Neglecting the fact that the majority of worldwide coastal systems are dominated by marine forest - [Upside-down Jellyfish](https://sims.org.au/projects/upside-down-jellyfish) - Does a seasonal decrease in water temperature influence the condition of the upside-down jellyfish? Species of Cassiopea (commonly known as ’upside-down jellyfish’) can negatively impact fisheries, tourism and the surrounding ecological environment through predation, competition, and reducing water quality by lowering oxygen content and releasing stinging cells. Distribution and abundance of upside-down jellyfish appears to be - [Putting Sydney Harbour into 'Marine Rehab'](https://sims.org.au/projects/putting-sydney-harbour-into-marine-rehab) - An initiative of the Sydney Harbour Research Program A common perception is that cities, and their associated ecological impacts end at the waterline. However, coastal cities such as Sydney are also highly modified underwater. Below the waterline in Sydney Harbour there is a dense network of coastal infrastructure, the sediments hold a legacy of chemical - [Artificial structures and non-indigenous species – the evil twins?](https://sims.org.au/projects/artificial-structures-and-non-indigenous-species-the-evil-twins) - Estuarine ecosystems are increasingly threatened by the introduction of non-indigenous species, and research suggests this may be facilitated by anthropogenic modification of habitat. The construction of artificial structures (such as pilings and pontoons) provides a habitat resource in close proximity to vessel hulls that carry a wide range of non-indigenous fouling species including species of - [‘Climate-Proofing’ the Sydney Rock Oyster Industry](https://sims.org.au/projects/climate-proofing-the-sydney-rock-oyster-industry) - By the end of this century, the world’s oceans will have much higher concentrations of carbon dioxide and will be several degrees warmer than they are today. Many species that live in Australia’s coastal waters will have to adapt to these harsh conditions in order to survive. We know that such adaptation is possible, but - [Microplastics](https://sims.org.au/projects/microplastics) - Using infrared lasers to quantity microplastics within the bodies of oysters Over the last 100 years plastic has become ubiquitous in production and now as waste, contaminating environments globally. Whilst it has long been accepted that plastic pollution represents a pervasive and increasing threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, the full magnitude of environmental and biological - [Pacific Oyster Mortality](https://sims.org.au/projects/pacific-oyster-mortality) - Unravelling the causes of Pacific Oyster mortality Oyster aquaculture is worth $35-40 million to the NSW economy and is an important source of employment and revenue for coastal communities. However, oyster aquaculture industries are globally under threat from disease outbreaks. Oyster diseases have caused devastating losses for Australian oyster farmers, with a recent outbreak of - [Operation Crayweed](https://sims.org.au/projects/operation-crayweed) - This research project is focused on restoring locally extinct populations of crayweed along the Sydney metropolitan coast in order to increase amounts of biogenic habitat for fish, abalone and lobster, support detritus-based food webs that underpin key fish populations, increase local biodiversity and primary productivity and provide ecologically and methodologically sensible advice for further seaweed - [A Wall of Mouths](https://sims.org.au/projects/a-wall-of-mouths) - Zooplankton is the link between the aquatic pastures of the oceans and fisheries. A novel synthesis of the size structure of zooplankton communities, combined with phytoplankton estimates from satellites, will reveal critical ecosystem processes on a global scale; such as the export of carbon and fisheries production. This will inform environmental assessments and ecosystem sustainability, - [Urchins in a Changing Ocean](https://sims.org.au/projects/urchins-in-a-changing-ocean) - Sea urchins are important bioengineers of the marine world where they aggregate and modify their environment to form unique “barren” communities. In Sydney Harbour, urchins are some of the most conspicuous animals in intertidal and subtidal rocky shores. They are also calcifying organisms – a large proportion of their bodies are made up of a - [Do Holopneustes go with the flow?](https://sims.org.au/projects/do-holopneustes-go-with-the-flow) - As an organism develops, their distinctive use of resources changes over time. This process, known as an Ontogenetic shift, can be extremely risky for the organism to undergo and therefore must be considerably advantageous. The Australian sea urchin, Holopneustes purpurascens undergoes such a shift. Holopneustes purpurascens is unable to thrive on the alga on which - [Treadmills for Baby Lobsters](https://sims.org.au/projects/treadmills-for-baby-lobsters) - The larvae of eastern rock lobsters spend nearly a year out at sea feeding on jellyfish and other zooplankton to build up enough fat to fuel their migration back to the coast where they settle on reefs and become juveniles. The migratory stage is known as a puerulus and they are champion swimmers – capable - [Examining the personality of the Port Jackson](https://sims.org.au/projects/examining-the-personality-of-the-port-jackson) - Baby Port Jackson sharks at SIMS aquarium! Macquarie University masters student, Evan Byrne, is examining the differences in intraspecific personality (boldness) and cognition in elasmobranchs, using the Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) as a model species. Once complete, this research will enable scientists to better understand the complex relationships between personality, cognition and behaviour in - [White's Seahorse](https://sims.org.au/projects/whites-seahorse) - Three proud dads gave birth to exactly 337 baby seahorses at SIMS in November. The adorable broods of baby seahorses, or “ponies”, will help University of Technology Sydney honours student Scott McCormack study the effects of climate change on the White’s Seahorse or Hippocampus whitei. Mr McCormack said they were the same species snorkellers and scuba - [Making Mud Pies in Sydney Harbour](https://sims.org.au/projects/making-mud-pies-in-sydney-harbour) - Making mud pies in Sydney Harbour: manipulative experiments to untangle the effects of multiple stressors on estuarine communities. Estuaries are diverse and productive ecosystems that are subject to high levels of disturbance from multiple human stressors. Chemical contaminants and nutrients from urban and industrial activities are released into estuaries and accumulate in bottom sediments where - [Effects of Coastal Pollution on Native Ecosystems](https://sims.org.au/projects/effects-of-coastal-pollution-on-native-ecosystems) - NSW is experiencing unprecedented losses of marine macrophytes from shallow coastal ecosystems and the emergence of species native species with invasive characteristics (e.g. Caulerpa filiformis). Changes are particularly apparent around the Sydney metropolitan region but Caulerpa is now found as far north as Ballina, 100’s of kilometres outside its previously known distribution. Because it is - [Gut Microbiota of Antarctic Seals](https://sims.org.au/projects/gut-microbiota-of-antarctic-seals) - The gastro-intestinal tract of mammals is colonised by trillions of bacteria after birth. This community, or gut microbiota, performs numerous beneficial functions for the host, including energy extraction and immune regulation. Studies on the composition of the mammalian gut microbiota has been limited to captive or laboratory-reared terrestrial mammals and knowledge of this community in - [GeoReef Lab](https://sims.org.au/projects/georeef-lab) - Dr Jody Webster is part of the Geocoastal Research Group in the School of Geosciences at Sydney University. His research group, the GeoReef Lab, is focused on carbonate sedimentology, sea level, climate change and tectonics. This work takes the group to all the beautiful places in the world including the Great Barrier Reef, Tahiti, Hawaii, - [Climate-Induced Range Shifts of Tropical Fish in South-Eastern Australia](https://sims.org.au/projects/climate-induced-range-shifts-of-tropical-fish-in-south-eastern-australia) - The East Australian Current transports tropical fish larvae from the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland to the NSW coastline throughout summer. Whilst water temperatures remain warm, these larvae develop into juvenile tropical fish that become part of NSW fish communities in rocky reefs as far south as the NSW/VIC border. When water temperatures decline during - [Can benthic sharks learn sound cues?](https://sims.org.au/projects/can-benthic-sharks-learn-sound-cues) - The marine environment is filled with biotic and abiotic sounds, some of which can predict important events and can help animals find food or their way home. Specific sound cues and ‘soundscapes’ facilitate vital activities such as foraging, predator avoidance, communication and orientation. Most research with sounds in sharks has focused on hearing ability and attractiveness - [Do microbes facilitate the range expansion of tropical fishes](https://sims.org.au/projects/do-microbes-facilitate-the-range-expansion-of-tropical-fishes) - Do microbes facilitate the range expansion of tropical fishes into temperate ecosystems? Ocean warming is leading to poleward shifts in the distribution of tropical species. As ocean temperatures continue to rise, we expect that tropical fishes will become increasingly abundant in temperate waters; however, little is known about how these fish may adapt to a - [Operation Posidonia](https://sims.org.au/projects/operation-posidonia) - These marine plants, however, have become severely threatened by human activities like coastal development and pollution, and this has led to their decline at alarming rates worldwide. On average, seagrasses are disappearing at the same rate as coral reefs, ie. one soccer field every half hour. The aim of Operation Posidonia is to restore meadows - [Ocean Warming Impacts on Physiology of Brittle Stars](https://sims.org.au/projects/ocean-warming-impacts-on-physiology-of-brittle-stars) - Ocean Warming Impacts on Physiology of Brittle Stars The echinoderm fauna found in the rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal coasts around Sydney is extremely diverse. Most are quite familiar with the star fish and sea urchins, but often over looked are their cousins, the brittle stars. Despite their anonymity, they are one of the most - [Understanding cognitive ability of sharks](https://sims.org.au/projects/understanding-cognitive-ability-of-sharks) - The current threat of overfishing is arguably the largest crisis that sharks and rays are facing since their 420 million year history. In addition, the negative connotation of sharks has until recently acted as a barrier to conservation efforts. Wildlife tourism can help to increase public awareness and contribute to pro-conservation attitudes. However, shark feedings - [Future of NSW Corals](https://sims.org.au/projects/future-of-nsw-corals) - Brilliant, Deep Blue On My Doorstep Podcast series hosted by UNSW Associate Professor Tracy Ainsworth and her team. Episode 13 has a particular focus on the wonderful research, supported by The James N Kirby Foundation and led by Dr Coulson Lanz in the SIMS aquaria. NSW Corals Research One important and currently understudied consequence of change - [Sustaining Coastal Reef Productivity](https://sims.org.au/projects/sustaining-coastal-reef-productivity) - Investigating the global importance of benthic-pelagic coupling for the ecosystem function of coastal reefs Coastal reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, hosting over 3000 fish species that fulfil important ecological roles (Bellwood et al. 2013). This diversity sustains important artisanal fisheries as well as economically valuable ecotourism industries, ensures ecosystem - [Foraging Ecology of White Sharks](https://sims.org.au/projects/foraging-ecology-of-white-sharks) - The foraging ecology of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in New South Wales coastal waters Information on the diet and foraging patterns of white sharks in Australia is limited, especially for Eastern Australia and New South Wales (NSW). Apex predators, such as white sharks often pose significant management challenges which arise due to a combination of - [Seahorse friendly management of artificial nets](https://sims.org.au/projects/seahorse-friendly-management-of-artificial-nets) - Seahorse friendly management of artificial nets The White’s Seahorse is a protected species in New South Wales. This species of seahorse has experienced significant population declines due to degradation in its natural habitat. University of Sydney’s Michael Simpson is working at SIMS as part of a larger Sydney Harbour study looking at the White’s Seahorse use of artificial - [Does thermal stress in adults change the thermal tolerance of offspring?](https://sims.org.au/projects/does-thermal-stress-in-adults-change-the-thermal-tolerance-of-offspring) - Does thermal stress in adults change the thermal tolerance of offspring? The rate of increase of global temperatures is posing significant threat to marine ecosystems, with more extreme weather events such as heatwaves set to be more frequent and intense in the coming years (IPCC 2014). In 2011, Western Australia experienced record high ocean temperatures - [Goose Barnacles as Forensic Tools](https://sims.org.au/projects/goose-barnacles-as-forensic-tools) - Goose Barnacles as Forensic Tools Ocean debris is particularly important for oceanography, biogeography and forensics. The biofouling communities on floating objects like logs, pumice, plastic or even corpses can help reconstruct where the objects came from and their duration at sea. Understanding biofoulers also helps predict the spread of invasive species. These biofouling communities are - [Hidden hotspots of large marine vertebrates within the Lord Howe Marine Park](https://sims.org.au/projects/discrimination-of-coastal-fish-species) - Using environmental DNA to reveal and conserve hidden hotspots of large marine vertebrates within the Lord Howe Marine Park Despite the ecological and economic importance of New South Wales’ World Heritage Listed Lord Howe Island (LHI) and its surrounding state and Commonwealth marine parks, there is currently a paucity of baseline data regarding the ebb - [Discrimination of coastal fish species](https://sims.org.au/projects/discrimination-of-coastal-fish-species) - Discrimination of coastal fish species based on morphology and DNA sequencing The classification of species is essential in structuring our understanding of the world, but the existence of competing species concepts and diagnostic criteria makes the separation of similar species difficult. 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