Prof. Stephen Swearer1, Dr Paul Carnell2, Dr Rebecca Morris1, Mr Tristan Graham1, Dr Fletcher Warren-Myers1, Professor Tim Dempster1
1University Of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia, 2Deakin University, Queenscliff, Australia
Over the past quarter-century, the cover of golden kelp (Ecklonia radiata) has declined by over 50% on rocky reefs in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Research undertaken in the last decade has confirmed that losses are largely a result of overgrazing by the abundant native sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma, combined with declines in kelp productivity due to warming and lower nutrient inputs. This has resulted in the development of a diversity of strategies for reducing urchin biomass within the Bay, including commercial harvesting from productive reefs, culling within marine parks and sanctuaries, and roe conditioning of urchins from unproductive reefs. Here we present an overview of these activities, the socio-ecological challenges faced in achieving collaboration across government, industry and conservation organisations, and how these are being overcome in the development of a spatial management plan for urchin removal and reef restoration at a bay-wide scale.
Presentation Slides – Stephen Swearer
Biography:
Stephen Swearer is Professor of marine biology and Director of the National Centre of Coasts and Climate at the University of Melbourne. He began his career as a larval fish biologist, focussing on understanding how larval dispersal, settlement and recruitment influence population replenishment and connectivity in marine ecosystems and the ecological and environmental factors that influence these processes. As Director of NCCC, his research has taken a broader focus into developing solutions for addressing the impacts of overabundant species, habitat loss and climate change in marine and coastal ecosystems in partnership with government and industry.
