CONFERENCE SYMPOSIA
Submit your abstract to one of the symposia below
Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS): reducing uncertainty and supporting ocean science through sustained, high-quality observations
Convenors: Dr Natalia Ribeiro (IMOS), Dr Richard Saunders (IMOS), Dr Fabrice Jaine (IMOS)
Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), established in 2006 under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), is a global leader in sustained ocean observations and ocean best practices. The program covers Australian waters from the Southern Ocean to tropical regions and has delivered over 1 billion observations of the marine estate critical to the study of marine ecosystems, weather patterns, and climate dynamics.
IMOS observations are guided by science planning undertaken collaboratively across the Australian marine and climate science community with input from government, industry and other stakeholders. IMOS data underpins the approaches and solutions to addressing current and future environmental challenges, and to understanding the implications of these challenges to the broader Australian society.
We invite submissions from users of IMOS data that highlight the extensive links the program has fostered, emphasizing its role in connecting research endeavours with tangible outcomes in policy documents, societal advancements, and economic spheres. All contributions from users showcasing high-quality research underpinning the program's societal, cultural, economic, and environmental impact are also welcome.
Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Governance in Marine and Fisheries Research
Convenor: Cas Sedran-Price (CSIRO), Emerita Distinguished Professor Maggie Walter, Palawa (University of Tasmania, Maiam nayri Wingaria), Dr Maree Fudge (IMAS, University of Tasmania), Professor Catriona Macleod (IMAS, University of Tasmania)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are Australia’s first Scientists; continuing to grow and sustain Indigenous knowledge systems which have been developed over 65,000 years through a deep spiritual connection to Country and observing, and experimenting with, environmental processes. Today, governments, universities, and scientists are increasingly calling for Traditional Knowledge to be incorporated into marine and fisheries research. This presents great opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, however, there are risks involved, as research is often dominated by extractive processes that can harm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities. Research needs to be conducted in the right way to produce ‘good data’ to meet the needs and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, while supporting the interests and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People to control their data. Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Data Governance are key requirements for mitigating potential harm and achieving ethical research partnerships and interactions with Indigenous communities.
This symposium will explore pathways to addressing this context through the lens of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and consider what is needed for effective and efficient policies and practices (including Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property frameworks) that can support and protect Indigenous Knowledges and Indigenous data within marine and fisheries research
How is traditional knowledge adapting in an evolving seascape?
Convenor: Alby Marsh (The NZ Institute for Plant & Food Research)
Indigenous communities across the globe have a strong connection to the sea. It is what has nourished, nurtured, and sustained many communities for centuries. It is no different in the Pacific, with this vast expanse of water the dominant feature. This vast expanse is what connects us as people, as community, as custodians.
The traditional way in which community interact and continue to seek their sustenance is changing. This is being heavily influenced by factors such as Global warming, overfishing- and pollution and changing diets. Many indigenous communities across the Pacific, like Aotearoa New Zealand are adopting change through the adaptation of many of their traditional practices.
We would like to encourage Indigenous practitioners to participate in this session to share how they are adapting their matauranga and mohio (knowledge and understanding) in a changing environment. Important contributions will be the sustainable management practices employed by the generations to preserve and conserve this most significant resource and the impact the changing climate is having on their ability to maintain their cultural identity and integrity as traditional sea custodians.
Although our focus will be to learn and develop an understanding of the many changes indigenous communities have and are enduring in their continued connection and reliance on the seascape. We also want to hear of the interactions and experiences non-indigenous researchers have in engaging community and working with them both in Australia and across the Pacific. To understand if the integration of contemporary knowledge with traditional indigenous knowledge leads to an enhanced understanding for better outcomes that preserve and conserve the environment, for the generations that follow to enjoy
Climate Change Genomics
Convenors: Jan Strugnell (James Cook University), Sally Lau (James Cook University), Roy Barkan (James Cook University)
Ocean warming is one of the greatest challenges of our time. It is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems, biodiversity, coastal communities, and the global climate system. Increased temperatures, sea level rise, acidification, changes in currents, and deoxygenation are only a few of the altering conditions that organisms are experiencing. Although it is expected to change further, the intensity and rate of the change is uncertain.
The response to such changes could be migration, adaptation and, in some cases, extinction. These are highly associated with genomic mechanisms.
Understanding the genomic mechanisms that enable species to thrive, survive, or adapt in these challenging conditions is crucial. The evolution of genomic techniques enables scientists to investigate the genetic response of marine organisms to ocean changes and the underlying genetic mechanisms that govern an organism's ability to cope with those changes.
This field holds promise for developing conservation strategies, supporting resilience of marine ecosystems and aquaculture operations in the face of climate change. In this session, we will bring together scientists to discuss the use of genomics tools (genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics and proteomics) across various marine organisms, ultimately helping safeguard the biodiversity and health of our oceans and seafood security.
Advances in Autonomy for Sustainable Marine Observations
Convenors: Hui Sheng Lim (CSIRO) , Andrew Filisetti (CSIRO) , Melanie Olsen (Australian Institute of Marine Science)
Autonomous technologies, such as Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), hold the potential to significantly enhance the scale and sustainability of future marine observations. These technologies act as force multipliers, enabling the collection of ocean data across extensive spatial and temporal scales with reduced human intervention. Given the high costs associated with operating ship-based research platforms in the ocean, autonomous systems offer a cost-effective solution for rapidly expanding observation systems over vast geographical areas. Autonomy promises increased manoeuvrability, extended endurance, and reduced operational risks, addressing critical challenges in localisation, persistence, and scalability faced by existing marine observation methods. The incorporation of sustainability principles into autonomous marine observation methods is paramount for addressing environmental concerns and ensuring the responsible use of technology.
To fully harness the potential of autonomy in marine observations, innovative approaches are required in mission planning, data collection strategies, polar navigation capabilities, sensor data fusion, and integration with emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. This symposium aims to bring together contributions that highlight the latest advancements and applications in operations and technology of marine autonomy. We welcome submissions that explore how autonomy enhances data collection and observation of marine environments while emphasising sustainable practices.
Human impacts on fish and other marine organism body sizes, shifting baselines, and implications for ecosystems and fisheries
Convenors: Asta Audzijonyte, Julia Blanchard and Freddie Heather (University of Tasmania, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies)
Fundamental rules underlie the relationships between the body size of fish and their abundance, productivity, evolutionary potential, trophic position, or vulnerability to fishing. Human impacts on fish body sizes are ubiquitous and increasing, both through historical and contemporary fishing, climate change and pollution. Implications of changing size structure in fish communities for research and management are unknown, but likely to be critical. This session invites contributions on:
studying contemporary and historical human impacts on fish species and community body size distributions;
understanding fundamental properties and physiological, ecological, and/or evolutionary processes governing changes in species and community size distributions, including those from human impacts and food-web interactions;
testing and applying size-based theory assumptions using empirical data;
assessing impacts of fish body size changes on ecological models used in fisheries and aquaculture management and best practices to account for these changes.
The session is aimed at researchers working on general ecological theory and ecosystem function, practitioners applying size-based tools for management purposes, historical research documenting human driven changes in fish community and species size structure, and researchers working on temperature and climate change driven changes in species and ecosystems.
Human impacts in the ocean
Convenors: Sally Watson (NIWA and Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland), Jess Hillman (GNS Science), Marta Ribo (Auckland University of Technology)
Human impacts in the ocean have become increasingly pervasive, posing significant threats to the health of the marine environment, from the coastal waters to the abyssal plains. For nations surrounded by ocean, like Aotearoa/New Zealand and Australia, our seas provide essential habitats, support livelihoods, provide a means of transport and energy, and are critical for climate regulation. With existing human pressures and future growth into the marine realm predicted alongside climate change, understanding the consequences of human impacts in the marine environment is essential to support a sustainable blue economy. This session seeks to shine a spotlight on the importance of addressing the impacts of human activities in the oceans, with contributions from studies across the disciplines of marine science, including biology, ecology, geology, oceanography and biogeosciences.
Multiscale Ocean interactions and their role in tracer transport
Convenors: Marina do Valle Chagas Azaneu (University of New South Wales), Ramkrushnbhai Patel (IMAS, University of Tasmania) , Tyler Rohr (IMAS, University of Tasmania)
From polar to tropical oceans, mesoscale eddies and fronts influence physical processes, biogeochemical cycles, and biological productivity. Eddy-driven subduction can support organic carbon export, while coastal eddy advection can impact on- and off-shelf transport of carbon and nutrients. Eddies and fronts can also upwell nutrients, promoting phytoplankton growth and biological activity, thereby influencing marine life distribution, species abundance and diversity in these regions.
Understanding the three-dimensional structure of eddies and their interactions – including submesoscale processes – is imperative for disentangling their roles in nutrient cycling, ecosystem dynamics and the broader impact on climate systems. Given the projected increase in mesoscale activity at Western boundary currents, a deeper understanding of these processes becomes critical.
Alongside efforts to parametrize eddy fluxes in climate models, advancements in technology have expanded our capacity for understanding eddy-related processes, both remotely and through observational campaigns. We invite contributions from observational and modelling studies on the dynamics and biogeochemistry of multi-scale ocean interactions, including:
(i) Dynamics of ocean mesoscale, submesoscale eddies and their interaction;
(iii) Role of eddies in transport of momentum, heat, salt, and biogeochemical tracers;
(iv) Impact of mesoscale processes on biogeochemistry, biological productivity, carbon removal and ecosystem;
(v) Parametrization of eddy fluxes in numerical models and its impact on future projections;
(vi) Multidisciplinary research into bio-physical interactions at other scales
Navigating waves of change: exploring behaviour change in the marine environment
Convenors: Dr. Matthew Navarro (vUniversity of Western Australia), Dr. Emily Ogier (IMAS, University of Tasmania), Assoc Prof Vanessa Adams (University of Tasmania)
The symposium is co-convened by the Marine Social Science Network - Australian Chapter
As our planet grapples with unprecedented environmental challenges, the need for effective behaviour change in the realm of marine conservation becomes increasingly urgent. This symposium seeks to explore and discuss the multifaceted dimensions of behaviour change initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable use, conservation and restoration of the marine environment.
The symposium will bring together experts from diverse fields, including marine biology, psychology, sociology, economics, and environmental science, to foster a holistic understanding of the complexities associated with altering human behaviour in the context of the oceans. The primary focus will be on identifying innovative strategies, successful case studies, and emerging research that illuminate the pathways to instigate positive change. Examples could include nudges to promote self-compliance with fishing regulations, apps to engage recreational fishers in voluntary sharing of catch data, and seafood tracing to promote sustainable seafood choices.
By bringing together experts from various disciplines, this symposium aims to foster a collaborative dialogue that transcends traditional silos and accelerates the development and implementation of effective strategies for desired/preferred behaviour change in the marine environment. The ultimate goal is to inspire actionable insights that will contribute to the resilience and sustainability of our oceans for generations to come.
Past Lessons, Future Solutions: Harnessing Historical Perspectives for Sustainable Oceans
Convenors: Dr Alison MacDiarmid (National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research NZ), Dr Joseph Christensen (The University of Western Australia), Dr Carolina Chong-Montenegro (Trinity College Dublin)
The present and future states of marine ecosystems have been and will be shaped by past processes and human actions on land and in the sea. Historical understanding of our past oceans can help identify both natural and anthropogenic drivers of ecosystem change over multiple temporal and spatial scales. These historical perspectives provide insights into the magnitude and direction of ecosystem change and help inform the present and future trajectories of our oceans. This symposium welcomes biologists, ecologists, historians, archaeologists, paleoecologists, social scientists, and similar practitioners who work with historical legacies to draw attention to the management, conservation, and restoration for the present and future of marine ecosystems.
Tackling uncertainty in marine megafauna conservation
Convenors: Jan-Olaf Meynecke (Griffith University), Madeleine Brasier (University of Tasmania), Ana Sequeira (Australian National University), Rachael Gray (Sydney University), Rebecca McIntosh (Phillip Island Nature Park)
Marine megafauna, encompassing whales, turtles, dolphins, pinnipeds, dugongs, and sharks, hold both cultural and commercial significance for Australian communities. In Australian waters, protective measures are in place to safeguard the majority of iconic marine life, recognising their vital role in the ecosystem and their importance to the local way of life. As coastal waters undergo transformation due to urbanisation and marine environments face rapid alterations from climate change, shipping activities, fishing practices, resource exploration, and pollution, these charismatic species become indicators of change. Studies of marine megafauna have yielded valuable insights into ocean dynamics, revealing shifts in breeding grounds and the exploitation of new food sources. However, these investigations have also brought to light escalating threats, such as entanglements, ship strikes, and pollution, which continue to intensify as human activities increase. Securing a future for marine megafauna requires the collaborative efforts of scientists, conservationists and policy makers. This symposium serves as a platform to disseminate knowledge and share research findings specifically focused on the ecology and conservation of marine megafauna, with a dedicated emphasis on the Southern Ocean. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the goal is to further advance our collective understanding and ensure the enduring protection of marine megafauna in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
Novel solutions to prickly problems: Adaptive management of echinoderms across changing tropical and temperate seascapes
Convenors: Dr John Keane (IMASs, University of Tasmania), Kelsey Miller (University of Auckland), Peter Doll (James Cook University), Associate Professor Scott Ling (IMAS, University of Tasmania)
Overabundant echinoderms can dramatically alter seascapes and cause lasting impacts on biodiversity and socio-ecological systems. Across tropical and temperate Australasia, consumption of corals, kelp, seagrasses, and soft-sediment communities by echinoderms continues to threaten biodiversity, cultural and economic values, attracting heightened funding of solution-based research. This symposium aims to coalesce recent learnings across systems to guide sustainable management of these "prickly problems". Fundamental to managing these problems in an uncertain and changing ocean is the development of viable adaptable solutions (e.g., culling programs, developing fisheries, predator rebuilding) that are effective, scalable, and ultimately sustainable. Finding solutions requires comprehensive understanding of species biology/ ecology, extent of current and future distribution and impacts, plus modelling to inform where and when various control options can impact population dynamics to meet desired ecological targets. While there are idiosyncrasies between tropical and temperate systems, and even within systems spanning native and extended ranges, management strategies and tools may be generalisable. Bringing together recent research on starfish outbreaks (e.g., Acanthaster spp., Asterias), plus an increasing need to address population overabundances of overgrazing sea urchins (e.g., Centrostephanus, Evechinus, Heliocidaris), this symposium will provide a platform for sharing learnings from well-established and emerging prickly problems across Australasia.
Detecting, Understanding, and Predicting Southern Ocean Change and Ecological Consequences
Convenors: Klaus Meiners (Australian Antarctic Division, Tasmania) , Nicole Hill (IMAS, University of Tasmania), Sophie Bestley (IMAS, University of Tasmania), Alexander Fraser (IMAS, University of Tasmania), Edward Doddridge (IMAS, University of Tasmania)
The Southern Ocean faces rapid change, but major knowledge gaps remain both in understanding these physical and chemical changes, and in assessing their impacts on Antarctic marine ecosystem structure and function. The prognoses for a Southern Ocean that will be warmer, fresher, more acidic, and with less sea ice (and ice with potentially different characteristics) are poorly understood. Yet, the Southern Ocean plays a key role in the global climate. Furthermore, the region is globally significant for oceanic carbon dioxide uptake, carbon sequestration, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation. Sustained and coordinated observations are essential to improve our mechanistic understanding of both the physical and ecological systems in the Southern Ocean, as well as coupled biophysical processes and how they structure Antarctic marine ecosystems. However, such observational frameworks remain sparse. Predictions of climate change impacts on the Southern Ocean remain highly uncertain but suggest disruptive changes for the physical environment as well as for particular species and communities, with the potential for a change of state for ecosystem function and associated ecosystem services. This symposium invites both observational and modelling studies that quantify and assess current status and trends, or investigate future states of the Southern Ocean. We also invite presentations that explore effective use of emerging and uncertain knowledge, including socioeconomic approaches, to inform management responses and conservation strategies.
Developments in Methodologies and Data Reporting for Ocean Biogeochemistry
Convenors: Dr Julie Janssens (CSIRO), Dr Zanna Chase (UTAS), Stephen Tibben (CSIRO)
Biogeochemistry measurements are increasingly becoming a central part of primary environmental ocean variables used to understand the changing oceans. Ocean productivity, carbon uptake and nutrient dynamics are essential ocean variables needed to detect early impacts of climate change on physical, chemical, and biological ocean processes. Comparable and reliable biogeochemical data from all Oceans are also essential to feed into climate models. Technologically, biogeochemical measurements present challenges in enabling high quality, stable and accurate in-situ measurements. This session aims to update participants on the latest method developments in seawater and sea-ice biogeochemical measurements, with a particular focus on method standardisation, calibration, and reporting. We welcome participants to present a combination of technical and methods papers along-side more science focused work demonstrating the underlying need and impact of methods development and standardisation in this field.
Plastic pollution and its management at the catchment-to-coast continuum
Convenors: Tanveer Adyel (University of South Australia)
Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal/marine ecosystems, and can be generated at the land or ocean depending on anthropogenic activities. This interdisciplinary season welcomes contributions on source, sink and management of all size plastics (i.e., macro-, micro- and nanoplastics) at the catchment-to-coast continuum. We will consider recent advances in the observational, laboratory, and modelling of plastics; novel monitoring methods and strategies for plastic waste; the fate and transport of plastics; and eco-toxicological effects of plastic and plastic-bound other contaminants within the environmental compartments. Plastic management (at source) and plastic recovery from the environment (like from the coast and ocean) from technological, economic, social and policy perspectives will receive attention. Research related to, but not explicitly listed above, may also be considered.
Climate impacts and adaptation in marine socio-ecological systems
Convenors: Kylie Scales (University of the Sunshine Coast) , Steph Brodie (CSIRO) , Rebecca Shellock (University of Tasmania), Michael Murunga (University of Tasmania)
Climate variability and change has already altered the structure and function of ecosystems globally, affecting societies, cultures, and economies. Ocean changes at the physical and biogeochemical level (e.g. warming, acidification, deoxygenation) have reverberated through ecosystems, causing changes in the abundance, phenology, and distribution of species. Understanding and assessing the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, communities and economies is critical to supporting climate adaptation.
We invite contributions that assess climate impacts and risks to marine socio-ecological systems, and those that focus on adaptation to a changing climate. We welcome topics that include detection and attribution of climate impacts from multiple approaches (i.e. observations, modelling, projecting and forecasting climate risks, spatial-planning, extreme events) across all social-ecological sectors (i.e. conservation, biodiversity, traditional/indigenous, fishing/aquaculture, tourism, shipping, renewable energy) and across disciplines (i.e. social science, biology, ecology, physical oceanography).
Justice and equity in the governance of rapidly changing oceans
Convenors: Dr Georgina Gurney (James Cook University/ Centre for Marine Socioecology), Dr Emily Ogier (IMAS, University of Tasmania/ Centre for Marine Socioecology), Dr Sarah Lawless (James Cook University/Australian Institute of Marine Science)
Rising inequity has become an implicit feature of rapidly changing marine social-ecological systems. A focus on justice and equity in marine management policy and practice is not only an ethical imperative, but also instrumental to addressing the multiple social, economic and environmental dimensions of global sustainability challenges. Subsequently, the need for equitable conservation and sustainability practice is increasingly emphasised in global environmental agreements, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention on Biological Diversity. However, understanding of the equity issues at stake and how to foster equity in management practice remains nascent. This session will examine justice, equity, and fairness issues in relation to how people relate to, use, benefit from, and govern marine systems. In particular, it will consider how these issues arise in response to a complex interplay of drivers such as climate change, the blue economy, and the expansion of area-based conservation. These issues will span multiple justice dimensions (e.g. distribution, recognition, procedure), considerations (e.g. decolonisation, intersectionality, gender), and levels of governance, from on-ground practice to global environmental policies. This session aims to explore innovative approaches to understand and advance justice and equity in the governance of marine systems.
Resilient or at-Risk: The future shape of Australian and New Zealand estuaries under climate change
Convenors: Gina Newton (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water), Elliot Scanes (University of Technology Sydney)
Australia has over 1000 estuaries, ranging from large open embayments, to drowned river valleys, tidal deltas, and small coastal lagoon systems. These dynamic and productive habitats are dependent on a specific range of hydrological, geo-chemical, and ecological processes. Estuaries occur where two distinct bodies of water meet and mix – upland fresh and coastal marine. Each water-type brings its own climate sensitivities, making estuarine ecosystems among the most vulnerable to climate change. Many estuaries are highly impacted by other threats and climate change exacerbates these impacts.
A recent long-term study of NSW estuaries found a concerning trend—that estuarine lagoons and rivers are warming and acidifying an order of magnitude faster than current global models project. However, limited information is available on Australia’s estuaries, and their often-unique biodiversity, in relation to a changing climate. This includes attention on response, resilience, adaptation, protection, and/or recovery.
This symposium welcomes presentations from a variety of perspectives and disciplines on research, monitoring, management, or policy activities related to climate change impacts on estuarine and nearshore marine environments and/or biodiversity. We are also interested to hear of any research or strategies dealing with building resilience to climate change, or that apply related conservation or recovery actions. Anticipated audience members include researchers, managers, and policy-makers.
Marine biodiversity observations: providing the essential foundation for achieving future ocean sustainability
Convenors: Dr. Ana Lara Lopez (UTAS/UNESCO), Dr. Karen Evans (CSIRO), Dr. Gabrielle Canonico (NOAA)
Countries are increasingly recognising the importance of biodiversity for future sustainability at national scales (e.g. the Australian government Nature Positive Plan) and at international scales (the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework goals and targets). This is set within a framework of moving towards a “whole earth” approach to ocean observation, analysis, modeling and delivery of information that will allow society to better account and plan for the complex and often non-linear processes that drive ocean systems and the many pressures impacting them. Fundamental to supporting these goals and policies and tracking their success through time are observations of marine biodiversity and the development of tools for integrating biodiversity into whole of earth modelling frameworks.
This symposium aims to bring the science community together to discuss collaborative and inclusive approaches to observing marine biodiversity, innovative approaches to achieving interoperability between observing efforts and transformative frameworks for modelling whole systems in the ocean.
Ocean literacy – key for future ocean sustainability?
Convenors: Dr Rachel Kelly (IMAS, UTAS), Dr Rebecca Shellock (IMAS, UTAS), Dr Prue Francis (Deakin University)
Navigating uncertainty for future ocean sustainability necessitates extending and developing dialogue with society. Ocean literacy is presented as a key component to engaging (and educating) society in ocean sustainability agreements and frameworks, including the UN Ocean Decade. Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean's influence on society and of society’s influence on the ocean – and encapsulates people’s connection with the ocean, including their awareness, attitudes, and behaviours.
Research understanding and application of the concept of ocean literacy is still emerging, and empirical evidence on how to measure and/or effectively develop and enhance ocean literacy is limited. A need to take stock of ocean literacy research and practice is apparent.
This symposium brings together emerging ocean literacy research (and welcomes associated fields including marine science engagement, education) to share insights and approaches. It aims to critically reflect on ocean literacy theory and practice, including its contribution to ocean sustainability.
Taxonomic discoveries for sustainable oceans
Convenors: Elena Kupriyanova (Australian Museum Research Institute), Pat Hutchings (Australian Museum Research Institute), Paul Wolf (Ocean Wolf, NZ), Claire Rowe (Australian Museum Research Institute) , Chris Glasby (Museum and Art Gallery of NT)
Taxonomy is the foundation of biology, and a robust taxonomic framework is critical to address fundamental questions about biodiversity, ecology, phylogeography, and evolutionary history in marine environments. Understanding biodiversity is important for all fields of marine science, conservation, and management as well as underpinning hypothesis-driven marine research. Baseline biodiversity knowledge is also crucial to the effective management of environmental impacts due to human activities and climate change. Although over 250,000 species have been described from the ocean (according to the World Register of Marine Species), it is estimated that little more than 10% have been documented, and biodiversity of habitats such as mesopelagic to abyssal environments, vents, seeps and seamounts is especially poorly known. With the arrival of new seagoing research facilities (e.g., Australian RV “Investigator”) and the advent of technological advances in high-resolution imaging, DNA sequencing, eDNA, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, biodiversity discovery is expected to accelerate. We propose a symposium that will be led by marine taxonomic experts. The symposium will bring together scientists, practitioners, and policy makers to discuss the current state of biodiversity knowledge in the marine environment and to showcase the latest advances in the field of marine taxonomy in Australia and New Zealand.
Advancing marine benthic research through underwater imagery: unveiling the seabed from the tropics to the poles
Convenors: Dr Jonny Stark (Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston), Dr Jan Jansen (IMAS, UTAS), John Turnbull (University of Sydney)
Seabed imagery is being increasingly utilised to further understanding of marine benthic ecosystems. From advances in imaging the seafloor, including high-resolution photography, multispectral imagery and hydroacoustics, to new annotation methods and tools such as Machine Learning and AI. Combined with advanced survey tools such as ROVs and AUVs, which are capable of large scale surveys, this is opening up new questions and possibilities.
This symposium will showcase studies from the tropics to the poles that feature underwater imagery to answer questions about benthic ecosystems. It will be of interest to scientists and technical experts, from ecologists to machine learning and AI specialists, to managers and policy makers.
Research to support the sustainable development of offshore renewables energy in Australia
Convenors: Alan Jordan (University of Tasmania)
There is a rapidly developing offshore renewables sector proposed in Australia's continental shelf waters which will involve planning, commissioning and installation, operation, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning of significant infrastructure. Commonwealth and State agencies will be involved in administering licensing and regulatory processes for such projects, as well as species protection and management under various pieces of environmental legislation. There are also a range social, Indigenous cultural heritage and engineering aspects that will be key considerations of the planning and assessments. The regulatory agencies need to rely on a strong scientific evidence base to support decision making under key national environmental legislation and to drive efficient regulatory processes. This includes understanding baseline conditions and long-term reference datasets, and methods and techniques for monitoring, mitigation and management of interactions and impacts. This symposium intends to bring together researchers and research-users to discuss the current state of knowledge and future research required to inform the development of this new and significant marine sector.
Climate calm: supporting ourselves, and the people we work and engage with, to deal with the future(s) ahead
Convenors: Gretta Pecl (IMAS and CMS at UTAS), Katie Creswell (IMAS and CMS at UTAS), Jamie Allnutt (FRDC)
We all know that marine and coastal systems are undergoing rapid and unprecedented changes, and as marine researchers and practitioners we work hard to determine how we can best mitigate, adapt, and prepare for these changes and uncertain futures. However, this can take a personal toll. People working in or on the ocean are acutely aware of the increasing dangers posed by the climate crisis, and this professional awareness is linked to raised levels of climate distress. Further, we often need to communicate to or work with communities, industries and people whose well-being and livelihoods might be directly and negatively impacted by climate change – knowing that in turn we might elevate their climate distress in the process.
This hybrid symposium and interactive workshop session will explore using evidence-based approaches on how we can we acknowledge the myriad of feelings associated with climate and eco distress, and support ourselves and others, in ways that facilitate action and minimise overwhelm. Recent research from our suggested keynote has demonstrated the benefit of sharing strategies for coping with the emotional toll of the climate crisis, and this is something that resonates strongly with our collective experience. The session would begin with some careful framing and a keynote (see below), followed by submitted talks and then a panel discussion session (suggested panelists listed below). Lastly, we would work with an experienced counsellor to share strategies and approaches for minimising and managing distress.
Algae resilience in a changing future
Convenors: Anusuya Willis (CSIRO), Diane Purcell (CSIRO), Cintia Iha (CSIRO)
Algae are hugely diverse, with over 50,000 species, these green, brown, red and golden organisms contain a wealth of novel biology. Algae also face the threat of warming water, with many species’ ranges decreasing, their future is uncertain. The Great Southern Reef, spanning the southern edge of Australia, is a unique biodiversity hotspot for algae. This provides opportunities to discover novel adaptations and resilience in algae that may be harnessed for conservation as well as industrial applications. This symposium will bring together researchers of both fundamental biology and applied research, to showcase current knowledge, highlight knowledge gaps, and create the links needed for future collaboration in developing industries.
This symposium is aimed at those wishing to gain a greater understanding of the role algae play in the oceans, how they are affected by climate change, and how understanding the fundamental biology of algae is leading to novel industrial applications.
50 shades of blue: the ‘futures’ of a sustainable ocean economy
The ocean is increasingly being seen as a solution to meeting ambitious goals for sustainable food and low-carbon energy production. As aquaculture and renewable energy expands into the offshore environment, they need to coexist with existing ocean users, taking account of social, economic, environmental, and cultural values. However, uncertainty stemming from policy objectives, sector interactions, climate change impacts, knowledge and data limitations present challenges to achieving such a ‘balance’.
As a founding member of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (the Ocean Panel), Australia committed to developing and implementing a Sustainable Ocean Plan (SOP) to manage 100% of waters within our jurisdiction by 2025. This symposium will bring together representatives from diverse sectors including existing and expanding offshore industries, research, and data providers. We will examine the origins of Australia’s engagement with the Ocean Panel and the role of a national SOP alongside topical issues such as ocean access, emerging and new industries, cumulative impacts and future ocean governance. The session will discuss pathways that integrate across sectors to improve socio-economic, cultural and environmental outcomes for Australia’s growing blue economy, capturing multiple views, including that of youth and local community to underpin the various “futures” of Australia’s blue economy.
Responding to the increasing challenge of climate extremes to estuarine and marine ecosystems
Convenors: Martina A Doblin (Sydney Institute of Marine Science) , Damien Maher (Southern Cross University) , Will Glamore (UNSW) , Tim Ingleton (NSW Department of Planning and Environment) , Jessica Bourner (NSW Department of Planning and Environment) , Claire Spillman (Bureau of Meterology) , Alistair Hobday (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research)
Climate extremes are increasingly impacting estuarine and marine species and habitats. Examples of such extremes include bushfires, floods, extreme storm surge, marine heatwaves, drought, and the effect of extended La Niña/El Niño. To increase our understanding of how coastal ecosystems are responding, assist with recovery efforts and increase our preparedness, there is a critical need to measure key processes and monitor environmental and ecological outcomes. We can also improve prediction and responses: How can predictive models be used in understanding and addressing the challenges posed by our changing climate on marine ecosystems?
This symposium invites contributions from researchers to present field, modelling and experimental studies, to share knowledge about environmental and ecosystem responses to climate extremes, as well as development of forecasting approaches. Addressing different spatial and temporal scales, and encouraging comparisons within and across geographies, our goal is to develop insights and thinking about design of interventions and approaches for building ecosystem resilience, acknowledging the important linkages between environmental, ecological and social systems.
We encourage contributions from early career researchers, traditional owners, and diverse disciplines.
Science supporting diverse marine management contexts in dynamic and changing marine systems
Convenor: Alex Tomlinson (Parks Australia), Nils Krueck (IMAS)
This symposium brings together managers, scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore innovations in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and marine resource management. A multidisciplinary dialogue is invited on challenges and opportunities in holistic marine ecosystem management, emphasising the interconnectedness and non-static nature of marine ecosystems and overlapping natural, cultural, social and economic values. By integrating ecological science, social science, economics, and policy, the symposium aims to facilitate effective strategies for marine biodiversity conservation, adaptive management, and sustainable resource management. In response to the dynamic nature of marine systems, this symposium invites marine practitioners to share their responses to understanding and adapting to changes within protected areas and the broader marine environment. It acknowledges the challenges of agreeing on effective methods and outcomes for understanding and managing changing marine ecosystems and explores how resistance to change can be addressed while directing marine ecosystems towards agreed objectives. By exchanging ideas and expertise, the symposium aims to foster new interdisciplinary connections and catalyse the development of effective solutions for holistic and adaptive management.
Macroecology in a changing world: understanding broad-scale patterns, processes, and change on temperate reefs
Convenors: Scott Bennett and Hubter Forbes (IMAS)
Extensive temperate reef ecosystems characterise many coastal marine environments in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. In Australia, the Great Southern Reef spans over 8000 km across the southern half of the continent, and temperate reefs surround both the north and south islands of Aotearoa/New Zealand. These temperate reefs have enormous ecological, social-cultural, and economic importance to both nations, and lie at the interface of human interaction with the marine environment. Yet temperate reefs face varied threats from local-scale impacts to global climate change, spanning jurisdictions, habitats, and diverse users. Therefore, understanding the interactions between patterns, processes, and impacts across scales is critical to navigating uncertainty and change on temperate reefs.
This symposium is open to talks that integrate broad-scale patterns and processes underpinning temperate reefs, with a focus on examining the way in which integrative and interdisciplinary approaches to marine science can help navigate uncertainty and ensure the future sustainability of temperate reefs as social-ecological systems. We think this symposium will be of interest to a broad audience and group of speakers, interested in topics ranging from macroecology to fisheries management, social sciences, governance, and marine spatial planning.
Connectivity in marine systems: A multidisciplinary perspective
Convenors: Gaby Mayorga Adame and Daniel Hewitt (Coastal and Regional Oceanography Lab, University of New South Wales), Amandine Schaeffer (School of Maths & Stats, University of New South Wales)
Marine connectivity is a key multidisciplinary concept in ocean science that brings together oceanography, bio-geochemistry, microchemistry, genetics, biology, and ecology. This concept is essential in diverse applications, from tracking nutrient and pollutant dispersion to understanding the movement of larval fish and the dynamic transport of water across ocean basins. Studying marine connectivity directly is challenging, leading researchers to employ various methods such as tracers, drifting buoys, animal tagging, genetic analyses and Lagrangian particle tracking models to unravel dispersal dynamics. An additional challenge stems from the multiscale nature of the processes at play, ranging from turbulent ocean mixing to mesoscale eddies and basin-scale currents. The complexity of marine connectivity underlies many of the challenges to understanding and safeguarding a sustainable ocean. Given its many applications, including understanding the resilience of marine ecosystems in a changing ocean, marine connectivity studies are crucial to inform marine management initiatives, enabling decision makers to prepare for an uncertain future. In this session, we invite marine scientists from diverse disciplines to present and discuss their research on marine connectivity and dispersal, with the aim of building a multidisciplinary community around the topic and fostering collaborations.
Lessons in repairing sea country
Convenors: Elisabeth Strain (UTAS), Beth Toki (BMT), Jenny Hillman (University of Auckland), Vishnu prahalad (UTAS), Maria Vozzo (CSIRO), Megan Saunders (UTAS), Conor Jones (BMT), Nathan Waltham (James Cook University)
Coastal and marine ecosystems face increased impacts of climate change. It is increasingly being recognised that marine habitat restoration will be a key tool that is available to support marine resilience and adaptation planning as the climate changes. Scaling these initiatives involves strategic interventions such as rebuilding shellfish reefs, reforestation of mangroves and kelp forests, and rehabilitation of seagrass meadows and saltmarshes, combined with management of key anthropogenic pressures. The restoration projects underway across Australasia, range from small- to large-scales, across multiple habitat types, and involving researchers, indigenous and community groups, industry, and local government agencies.
Critical to restoration success will be a multidisciplinary and cross-agency approach, whereby there is collaboration between multiple government agencies, as well as knowledge brokers, industries, and communities. Existing barriers to restoration must urgently be addressed, and up-scaling of corporate investment should be fostered. This symposium will highlight the growing research efforts and on-ground projects into scaling coastal and marine ecosystem repair in Australasia and discuss ways in which projects have incorporated future-proofing into their efforts. Its audience will include a diverse array of stakeholders, including research scientists, Traditional Owners, NGOs, community groups, and local and federal government employees. This session is linked to a Special Issue in Wetlands Ecology and Management on this topic, with speakers welcome to contribute their papers to this issue.
Marine and Coastal Carbon Dioxide Removal: opportunities, challenges, and reality checks
Convenors: Dr Rebecca McLeod (University of Otago), Dr Phoebe J Stewart-Sinclair (NIWA), Dr Albert Pessarodonna (University of Western Australia) and Prof Catriona L Hurd (Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies)
To keep global warming at <2 °C by 2100, we must remove 100-900 Gt CO2 from the atmosphere (carbon dioxide removal, CDR) in addition to drastically reducing emissions. Marine CDR (mCDR) methods being tested include the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems that store large quantities of carbon (blue carbon ecosystems), expanding seaweed aquaculture, enhancing ocean alkalinity, fertilizing the ocean, artificial upwelling and downwelling, and electrolysis.
mCDR is a rapidly developing area of interest for scientists, governments, communities and private entities alike. Whilst there is potential to scale these approaches to make a meaningful difference to atmospheric CO2 removal, each approach must be carefully assessed in terms of environmental and ecological risks, feasibility, efficacy, co-benefits and economic returns. All of these factors require extensive scientific knowledge and understanding. Furthermore, the ability to closely monitor, report, and verify the climate benefits of each approach is critical to the integrity of pursuing mCDR.
In this session, speakers will be invited to speak on status, scalability, co-benefits, disbenefits, and challenges of mCDR methods in both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Talks are also welcomed on policy frameworks and development for mCDR, Māori and Aboriginal knowledge and perspectives, and social license. As New Zealand moves towards bringing coastal wetlands into the Emissions Trading Scheme, this session will further explore what New Zealand can learn from the ratification of the blueCAM methodology by the Clean Energy Regulator (in Australia) and how these lessons can be applied.
Modelling uncertain futures of marine ecosystems
Convenors: Samik Datta (NIWA), Kevin Bairos-Novak (The University of Queensland), Julia Blanchard (University of Tasmania) , Takuya Iwanaga (AIMS), Vidette McGregor (NIWA) , Alice Rogers (Victoria University of Wellington), Severine Choukroun (James Cook University), Vanessa Haller (AIMS), Michael Bode (Queensland University of Technology)
Marine systems are complex and are at present being altered at alarming rates due to anthropogenic climate change, pollution, fishing pressure, invasive species, and more. To understand these complex systems under unprecedented change, marine scientists often employ models of natural populations and environments to understand the importance and sensitivity of the system and better understand uncertainty in future projections. Marine models vary widely in scope, from understanding the response of natural marine populations to future projected climate change, oceanographic models examining changes in marine connectivity, and decision support models to make better management decisions.
In this symposium, we welcome all contributions dedicated to improving marine models including: 1) novel forecast models aiming to predict the future using the best available data, 2) ensemble approaches for longer-term projections and scenarios that capture of wide range of human development, and 3) model uncertainty quantification and discussion. The session is aimed at researchers working on regional to global ecosystem models with analyses of model outputs to support policy and/or vulnerability, impact or mitigation assessments, as well as a focus on model uncertainty quantification in marine models (identifying important parameters or processes contributing to model uncertainty).
Microbial Monitoring in Marine Environments: Approaches and Applications in Environmental, Trophic and Disease Ecology
Convenors: Patrick Laffy (AIMS), Jane Younger (AMAS)
This interdisciplinary symposium explores advances in microbial monitoring in the marine environment and the application of these approaches to key research themes. Monitoring of the distribution, movements, functions, and shifts in marine microbiota is key to our understanding of both marine health and environmental changes.
Highlighting innovative methodologies such as particle tracking and metagenomics, we will discuss how microbial indicators respond to environmental changes and contribute to the understanding of disease ecology, environmental stressors and food-web dynamics. This symposium is a platform for collaboration among researchers, enhancing our comprehension of marine ecosystems in the context of climate change and human impact.
Topics may include the integral role of marine microbes in nutrient recycling, environmental perturbation, biogeochemical cycles, and their symbiosis with key species like corals and sponges, and address the intersection of microbial monitoring with health issues, including antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases, and pathogen spread via marine connectivity. Our aim is to integrate diverse insights for effective microbial monitoring and marine health management.
Climate change, climatic variability and anthropogenic pressures risk coastal ecosystem sustainability
Convenors: Kerrylee Rogers (University Of Wollongong), Juliet Sefton (Monash University), Thomas Doyle ( NSW Department of Planning and Environment), Ruth Reef (Monash University)
Coastal ecosystems (mangrove, supratidal and littoral forests, tidal marshes, vegetated dunes, reefs) provide valuable ecosystem services, and efforts are in place to leverage services through national carbon storage and nature repair markets. Despite reasonable protection across national jurisdictions, anthropogenic pressures remain. In addition, the once looming threat of climate change, particularly sea-level rise and storms, is impacting coastal ecosystems at increasing rates. The risks that climate change, climatic variability and anthropogenic pressures place on coastal ecosystems is yet to be fully appreciated in planning policies and in markets based on maintenance or enhancement of ecosystem service supply. This symposium explores the likely risks of climate change, climatic variability and anthropogenic pressures on coastal ecosystem sustainability. The aim of the symposium is to improve recognition of risks in coastal planning and decision-making, and to seek clarity in the viability of markets as a mechanism for improving the sustainability of coastal ecosystems and their services. The audience for this symposium includes coastal oceanographers and geomorphologists, coastal scientists pursuing reliable models of the response of coastal ecosystems to climate change and anthropogenic pressures, coastal planners tasked with planning for coastal ecosystem sustainability, and decision makers seeking clarity in the viability of markets operating within the coastal zone.
Aquaculture in a changing world: Production, Regeneration, Sustainability, and the Environment
Convenors: Leonie Venter, Camille White, Jessie Kenneally-Clark
In a rapidly changing world with finite marine resources, aquaculture is often looked at as the solution for many global issues such as food and resource poverty, environmental degradation, and species loss. The aquaculture sector is highly diverse across species and purposes for cultivation and is advancing rapidly as need for sustainable marine culture systems grows. This symposium welcomes a diverse array of research including:
sustainable production of marine species,
development of regenerative or conservational-based aquaculture practises (including IMTA and co-culture systems),
novel insights into the production of hatchery stock,
novel tools & methods for monitoring and/or improving growth and performance of cultured species,
aquaculture environment interactions, and
approaches for better understanding social and ecological impacts associated with production.
Overall, we will examine aquaculture as a solution for food production, environmental, and social issues, along with the necessity to change and adapt practices in the face of environmental uncertainty.
Better together – partnerships for better sea country outcomes
Convenors: Jade Gould (USC), Paul Hedge (UTAS), Damien Burrows (JCU)
A pathway to improving outcomes and uptake of key research for Indigenous estate, communities and organisations is to develop insights and learnings from past and current research to establish meaningful and respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities, groups and industries. Recent reviews of Indigenous engagement show that Indigenous peoples seek earlier involvement in on-land and sea country research. This means being formally included in the project design, development and delivery.This symposium will highlight projects that reflect pathways to genuine Indigenous partnerships by showcasing past and current research projects that have achieved better-applied research outcomes by following a co-design, co-develop and co-deliver.
Advancements in Monitoring, Modelling, and Forecasting Water Quality for Sustainable Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystems
Convenors: Nagur Cherukuru (CSIRO) , Tim Ingleton (NSW Department of Planning and Environmen), Mark Doubell (South Australian Research and Development Institute)
Estuarine and coastal aquatic ecosystems worldwide face a significant challenge of water quality degradation, driven by both natural processes and anthropogenic influences. This degradation adversely affects crucial aspects such as aquatic biogeochemistry, underwater light availability, water column productivity, and benthic habitats. The consequences of declining water quality extend to disruptions in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, ultimately leading to socio-economic losses for human populations reliant on these resources. Consequently, there is an urgent need to employ comprehensive monitoring, modelling, and forecasting strategies to develop sustainable management approaches for estuarine and coastal ecosystems.
This symposium aims to unite experts, researchers, and practitioners specializing in estuarine and coastal water quality. The event seeks to facilitate discussions on the latest advancements in monitoring, modelling, and forecasting techniques, providing a platform for sharing cutting-edge research, innovative methodologies, and successful case studies. Key topics to be addressed include progress in sensor networks, remote sensing applications, ecosystem modelling, machine learning models, and integrated monitoring and forecasting approaches. Abstract submissions and active participation are encouraged in this symposium dedicated to advancing the science and application of monitoring, modelling, and forecasting, with a specific focus on sustainable management of estuarine and coastal water quality.