Oceans and Reefs

The marine park that includes the subantarctic Heard and McDonald Islands is set for a massive expansion, with the federal government planning to protect an extra 300,000 square kilometres of ocean.

Taiwan's coast guard says the squid fishing boat was near the Taiwan-administered Kinmen islands but in Chinese waters when it was boarded and seized. 

The group says it reported the distressed whale in waters off the Sunshine Coast to authorities but when no-one had arrived almost an hour later, they took action fearing it was "drowning".

A distressed humpback whale tangled in a huge mass of fishing equipment has been freed after a major rescue effort off the Gippsland coast in Victoria. 

The last stronghold of a sea snake slated for an endangered species listing sits atop Australia's largest undeveloped gas field.

Authorities have called for help to find a whale that was seen tangled in ropes and buoys off the Gippsland coast in Victoria.

It is often said AI will take the jobs humans should be doing — but in this case, the human researchers are happy enough to pass on the job of scanning thousands of hours of recordings made deep in the Southern Ocean, freeing them up for the pursuit of scientific breakthroughs.  

Using drones, aerial imagery, and 3D modelling to map and identify stingray feeding pits on the estuary floor, a study has found they play a significant role in health of estuarine ecosystems.

Researchers at the Australian National University have found the nation's surf breaks are worth a fortune to the economy as well as wave riders' wellbeing — and should be better protected as a result.

A dredger boat which suddenly lost engine and steering control has hit a stationary cargo tanker, causing an oil spill in Singapore. 

Environment groups cleaning and re-cleaning remote northern Australian beaches of rubbish are calling on the federal government to do more to stop plastic being produced.

Last weekend, whilst swimming in what looked like a protected natural rock pool, I was pulled into a dangerous rip that was dumping onto a reef. My mind cleared as I slowed down and I thought: "So this is it. This is how people drown."

The local council in Robe, in South Australia's south-east, has decided to not spend ratepayers' money to investigate saving the town's famous obelisk from falling into the sea.

The federal government has given the green light to a fourth offshore wind zone, located off the Illawarra coast, with a reduced size, following community concerns.

Beaches around Australia are at risk of disappearing. As climate change brings about more severe storms and the sea level rises, many communities are looking to solutions such as sand nourishment to address the issue.

The West Australian government says its planned new marine park will be world-class. But among locals, opinion is split on whether it will deliver a promised tourism windfall.  

Communities, like those in Victoria's Port Fairy, are pushing back against seismic blasting that threatened marine life in the Otway basin and surrounding areas.

An engineers' report obtained under Freedom of Information shows the jetty chosen to host Bunbury's long-awaited public fishing platform had been recommended for decommissioning just months prior.

New research has revealed the devastating impact Tropical Cyclone Ilsa had on bird populations on Bedout Island off WA's Pilbara.

Nicholas Lubitz witnessed the remarkable emetic incident during a three-year project that saw hundreds of marine creatures tagged off the Queensland coast.

Australia's Reef Authority had $80 million to repair and refurbish its showpiece aquarium in Townsville, but scrapped the project for a grander design it knew it could not pay for.

Environmental advocates renew calls for the state to remove shark nets during whale migration season after a humpback is freed from a tangle off the Sunshine Coast.

Shark fatalities on a remote coastline west of Adelaide accounted for 30 per cent of all shark deaths last year. But while other states pour millions of dollars into mitigation programs, the SA government says it is still working on a plan.  

Marine scientists are buoyed to find two reefs off the Kimberley coast have escaped the brunt of excessive sea temperatures over summer, but are worried about what's around the corner.

Scott Gutterson formed a friendship with the animal based on trust, mutual intrigue and a lot of touchy-feely arms.