We’re not being rude here - there’s an underwater threat to marine ecosystems you’ve never heard about. The Great Southern Reef is at risk. What’s that? You’ve never heard of the Great Southern Reef before?

Let’s jump in!

THE MAJESTIC GREAT SOUTHERN REEF

The Great Southern Reef (GSR) is one of the world's most remarkable and ecologically significant marine ecosystems, stretching over 8,000 kilometers along Australia's southern coastline.

It is a vast network of kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs that supports a diverse array of marine species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. This underwater wonderland is home to iconic species such as the leafy sea dragon & southern Right Whales. It is also the stretch of reef that so many aussie surfers know best - from Margaret River, to Bells Beach, the rough and raw reefs of Tassie, and up through the iconic stretch of south coast NSW waves - all these iconic waves rely on a healthy and thriving Great Southern Reef. 

Well, all is not well just beneath the surface - this ecosystem is facing a significant threat from a spikey intruder who many surfers already steer clear of - and intruder that is jeopardizing the delicate balance of this underwater treasure.

IT’S AN EM-URCHIN-CY! THESE PRICKS ARE MOVING SOUTH AND EATING OUR GREAT SOUTHERN REEF!

Long-spined sea urchins, (Centrostephanus rodger- sii) are moving south along the Australian coast primarily due to climate change. Warmer ocean temperatures are creating more favorable conditions for the urchins, allowing them to expand their range further south than they traditionally inhabited. With their migration comes the devastation of rocky reef habitats, as these urchins graze voraciously across the ocean floor, creating expansive barrens and destroying important kelp forests. 

This southbound migration puts reef-dependent species, like abalone, rock lobster, and fish, at critical risk, and ultimately threatens the overall health and resilience of the Great Southern Reef. And this isn’t just bad news for marine species, but also livelihoods in fishing, as well as recreational fishing, with long-spined sea urchins essentially turning once abundant kelp forests into white rock deserts underwater.

We need to help the kelp!

The Great Southern Reef Foundation along with a coalition of scientists, fishers, and environmental groups have developed a $55 million "Centro Business Plan" to restore reef balance. The plan focuses on targeted urchin control, reef monitoring and restoration, support for harvesting and processing and management of Sea Country. Click the link below to show your support and stop these pricks from destroying our reef!