News, research and teaching relating to the National Marine Science Centre
Kirsten Benkendorff shines as Superstar of STEM for next generation
A seafood sentinel marine scientist from SCU has been announced as one of Australian's newest Superstars of STEM, a program that tackles the gender inequity of visible diverse role models in the media.
18 November 2022
Not a moment to waste for marine science graduate Zoe
For many, Byron Bay is a magical place of incredible natural beauty. But Byron's marine habitats face increasing threats and need scientists and managers ready to tackle them head-on with solutions. one of these is Southern Cross graduate Zoe White. She worked as a scuba driving instructor for several years in the Bryon shire, developing a strong connection to the land and sea.
1 November 2022
Research into the impacts of pesticides on prawn
Dr Peter Butcherine at the National Marine Science Centre
9 September 2022
Wave of success as Oceanography leads University ranking rise
Southern Cross University is now listed among the world’s top 100 universities for ocean studies and research, according to the latest Shanghai Rankings.
2 August 2022
AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship awarded to Southern Cross University student
Southern Cross University Bachelor of Science student Luke Austin is among a select group of next generation rural leaders to receive a prestigious Horizon Scholarship.
11 April 2022
Rhiannon Mitchell is making waves for young Aboriginal women
Rhiannon Mitchell, a Mununjali woman and Marine Science student at Southern Cross University, is making waves. She wants to change the future of Indigenous girls and women through ‘Saltwater Sistas,’ a mentoring program that creates a safe, culturally appropriate place to learn about culture, wellbeing, and ocean conservation.
07 April 2022
Leaf oysters: the unsung heroes of estuaries are disappearing, and we know almost nothing about them
Camouflaged by a layer of silty mud, most people probably wouldn’t notice the large flat oysters lurking beneath shallow water in Australia’s coastal estuaries. These are remarkable “leaf oysters”, and they can form reefs, produce mauve pearls, and reach the size of a dinner plate.
20 January 2022
Sea cucumber manual a global success story for Southern Cross Uni researcher
A Southern Cross University manual for postharvest processing of small-scale fishery products is now available in eight languages.
01 December 2021
Olly Pitt, General manager for Australian Seabird Rescue and Southern Cross Uni science graduate
Olivia (Olly) Pitt, Southern Cross University marine science graduate, grins from ear to ear. “It just never gets old,” she says. “We’ve released hundreds of turtles and every time it’s the same feeling.”
21 October 2021
Woodchip bioreactors may help farmers reduce fertiliser pollution in waterways
Prototype woodchip bioreactors may reduce nitrogen pollution entering nearby waterways by as much as 85% in the right conditions.
12 October 2021
Taking to the skies to shade corals using new technologies
Southern Cross University-led field trials of an innovative new technique that aims to prevent coral bleaching by spraying microscopic seawater particles into the air is producing exciting preliminary results.
26 August 2021
Selective breeding can produce heat-tolerant corals: new study
Coral populations have genetic potential to adapt to warming oceans, according to new research by Southern Cross University researchers.
23 August 2021
Coral, meet coral: how selective breeding may help the world’s reefs survive ocean heating
A single generation of selective breeding can make corals better able to withstand extreme temperatures, according to our new research. The discovery could offer a lifeline to reefs threatened by the warming of the world’s oceans.
21 August 2021
Helping conservation groups save marine wildlife
Southern Cross University expertise and resources will bolster rescue and research for marine animals off the Mid North Coast in a new partnership.
11 August 2021
Southern Cross aquaculture specialist exploring climate change impact
Southern Cross lecturer and researcher Dr Benjamin Mos specialises in aquaculture and human impacts in oceans and waterways. Working from the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour, Ben is a descendant of the Turrbal people, the original inhabitants of Meeanjin (Brisbane). He believes this rich heritage has helped with his career as a scientist.
14 September 2021
Inspired by nature: a deep dive with National Marine Science Centre director Kirsten Benkendorff
From cancer cures to potent water filters, marine molluscs – all things snail, slug and octopi – have a lot to offer. Just ask the Director of the National Marine Science Centre, Professor Kirsten Benkendorff.
6 August 2021
Declining growth rates of global coral reef ecosystems
If the trend of declining coral growth continues at the current rate, the world’s coral reefs may cease calcifying around 2054.
11 June 2021
Endangered purple Cauliflower Coral pushed closer to brink of extinction after recent flooding
The gardens of purple, cauliflower-like corals that have long-delighted divers in Port Stephens waters are in significant decline.
1 June 2021
Marine scientists fingerprint sources of nitrogen on the Coffs coast
Coffs coast waterways are bearing the brunt of a nitrogen double-whammy from fertilisers and recycled sewage. Remarkably in dry periods, though, the waterways can protect downstream habitats by removing much of the nitrogen naturally.
15 September 2020
Baby predator starfish prove to be unfussy, adaptable eaters - and scientists are worried
Discovery of the diet flexibility of juvenile crown of thorns starfish has complicated scientists’ ability to predict the timing of devastating outbreaks of adults on coral reefs.
21 July 2020
How Nemo’s ocean highway supports life along Australia’s east coast
The famous ocean highway that transported Nemo the clownfish along Australia’s east coast is the subject of a new documentary featuring Southern Cross University sea anemone expert Dr Anna Scott.
8 June 2020
Students see futures in Southern Cross sciences
Southern Cross University is seeing an unprecedented increase in demand for science degrees into the second half of 2020.
7 June 2020
Scientists trial world-first ‘cloud brightening’ technique to protect corals
As the world grapples with COVID-19, the Great Barrier Reef is facing a crisis of its own – its third mass bleaching in five years.
20 April 2020
Southern Cross University joins world-leading RRAP program to boost reef resilience
Southern Cross University has joined the world-leading Reef Restoration and Adaptation (RRAP) Program to help preserve and restore the Great Barrier Reef in the face of rising ocean temperatures and coral bleaching.
16 April 2020
Hidden army: How starfish could build up numbers to attack coral reefs
Crown of thorns starfish lie in wait as algae-eating young before attacking coral. Research published today (8 April 2020) in Biology Letters has shown that juvenile starfish can delay their diet shift to coral for at least 6.5 years.
8 April 2020
Sydney desalination plant discharge boosts fish numbers by almost 300 per cent
Sydney's desalination plant has delivered an unexpected effect on the marine life surrounding its discharge outlet — a massive increase in fish life.
This article published on the ABC News website.
19 December 2019
New Australian shrimp species scales waterfalls, changes gender
Researchers have described an unusual species of shrimp found in north Queensland, which scales 100-metre high waterfalls, changes gender, and uses nets on its front legs to eat.
16 December 2019
Southern Cross University awarded almost $1.3 million for prestigious ARC Discovery Program grants
The Australian Research Council recently announced the prestigious 2020 Discovery Program awards. The grants awarded included $577,000 for a Discovery Indigenous project.
11 December 2019
Tomoki Mishina is changing the world, one beautiful fish at a time
One of Tomoki Mishina’s big life dreams is to create a world in which tuna live in home aquariums. Actually, that’s sort of a joke as, Tomoki (Tom) says, “a tuna is huge; who would have that in their room?” His ambition is, however to “make something that’s impossible, possible.”
23 September 2019
Southern Great Barrier Reef island shows vital signs of life
Large portions of the Great Barrier Reef have experienced devastating coral decline, but there is one island bucking the trend. New research from Southern Cross University doctoral researcher Kay Davis shows One Tree Island, near Gladstone in the southernmost neighbourhood of the Great Barrier Reef, has experienced remarkable coral growth.
25 June 2019
Keeping an eye on sharks from the sky – are drones a good idea?
Drones were deployed at NSW beaches more than three years to monitor sharks and develop surveillance procedures in an effort to keep beach-goers safe following a spate of attacks in 2015.
29 May 2019
Australian Academy of Science honours marine science Professor
The Australian Academy of Science, the nation’s peak science body, has awarded its prestigious 2019 Anton Hales Medal for distinguished research in the Earth Sciences to Professor Isaac Santos from Southern Cross University.
28 February 2019
Woodchip bioreactors may help farmers reduce fertiliser pollution in waterways
Prototype woodchip bioreactors may reduce nitrogen pollution entering nearby waterways by as much as 85% in the right conditions.
12 October 2021