As our oceans change, so do the animals that live in it. Associate Professor Gretta Pecl - marine scientist and Redmap founder - looks to understand how animals respond to climate change in the ocean and what that means for us.
This edition reviews Redmap's community observations, including the Top 3 sightings per state. Also, check out the interviews with Redmap members and other marine news! Read the May newsletter.
Australian fishers, divers and beachcombers have shared on Redmap more than 1270 sightings of marine life they considered uncommon to their local seas. More than a quarter of the confirmed sightings were out of their usual home range; and many more were valuable observations of elusive or poorly-documented species. And, divers appeared to be the most enthusiastic reporters to Redmap! Here is a snapshot of Redmap's citizen science data, including …
A changing climate and strengthening East Australian Current mean the east coast of Tasmania is a ‘hotspot’, with seas warming almost four times the global average. So it’s no surprise that warmer-water fish are turning up further south than usual. And often to the delight of Tassie fishers!
From CSIRO Snapshot: We have been reunited with an old friend. We met a long time ago, 22 years in fact, and we certainly left our mark during that first meeting. Now with a long passage of time behind us, we are keen to find where she has been all this time. We are, of course, talking about this stunning southern bluefin tuna (SBT). Tagged in 1993, the fish …
Sea life near volcanic seeps may offer clues as to how animals will adapt to global warming and ocean acidification, writes the New Yorker. Read the full story here.
In a world-first study, scientists have transplanted kelp off the coast of Tasmania to better understand the impact of climate change, writes ABC Online. The kelp, which grows from northern New South Wales around to Western Australia, provides an ecosystem for hundreds of marine species. Now it is thinning and becoming patchy because of warming waters. Read the full story here at ABC Online.
Local, lived experiences add value to the science documenting changes in our marine environments, says researcher Gretta Pecl, supporting better decisions for the future of our fisheries. Read about Dr Pecl's research, life, and Redmap on the FRDC website.
Want to know more about climate change but not sure where to start looking for info? Then this easy-to-read booklet (by the Australian Academy of Science) answers many questions surrounding climate change in Australia. Get some answers here!
A new survey gauges the public's willingness to volunteer for marine science. The Marine Exchanges Survey is an Australian-first and aims to harness the power of ‘citizen science’. Observations from ocean users and beachgoers have enormous potential to increase knowledge about marine species along Australia’s coastal regions.
