Reefs

Revegetation and pile fields on the Mary River in January 2022, prior to recent flood events. Photograph by Caitlin Mill, Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee.

Researchers trust their tools when it comes to looking after the Great Barrier Reef

Deteriorating water quality is one of the biggest threats to the Great Barrier Reef. Vital protection and recovery efforts are taking place in the catchments adjoining this national treasure's coastline.

coral reef

New science discovers coral seed banks

CSIRO scientists have found that corals store dormant 'seed banks' like forests do. This unexpected finding shows reefs can recover in surprising ways.

What treasures did we find at Ashmore Reef Marine Park?

At the edge of Australia’s continental shelf, in the Timor Sea, you’ll find Ashmore Reef Marine Park. 630 km north of Broome in Western Australia, it’s one of our most remote marine parks. We were part of the area's most comprehensive 'health checks'.

Indigenous fisher wearing snorkel on his head holding a rock lobster caught with a spearing device

Turning up the heat on marine climate adaptation

In the face of climate change, innovative science and cultural knowledge will be critical for protecting ecosystems, marine life and livelihoods.

2. Aerial flood photographs taken in the Townsville region

Buying time for the Barrier Reef – shading coral and controlling starfish show promise at large scale

Shading corals to reduce mass bleaching and expanding the control of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish—if socially acceptable and done on a large scale—could buy at least 10 to 20 years for the Great Barrier Reef, according to scientists who have for the first time modelled all of the world’s biggest marine ecosystem.

Snorkeler in the Great Barrier Reef

Our researchers take a ‘deep dive’ into understanding what people think about synthetic biology and the Great Barrier Reef

A study about social responsibility in synthetic biology research and development for conserving the Great Barrier Reef

Pictured are dive staff from a Townsville tourism operator sitting on the front of a boat. They are pictured visiting John Brewer Reef. Image by Matt Curnock, CSIRO.

Sun shines on the Great Barrier Reef over summer

Get a glimpse into how the Great Barrier Reef has fared over the summer and the actions being taken to protect it.

A satellite image of the coast of Queensland near Townsville. A brown plume swirls into the blue/green water near the coast at the mouth of the Burdekin River.

eReefs: integrated environmental intelligence for managing the Reef

This interactive platform puts information about management options and past, present, and future conditions of the Reef at users’ flipper-tips.

Researchers at Heron Island

Sea-lebrating coral restoration efforts

Our researchers have been on the larvae lookout of the coral kind on the Great Barrier Reef to trial new, innovative techniques to restore damaged parts of the Reef.