Great Southern Reef Project

Safeguarding natural values of the Great Southern Reef

The Great Southern Reef extends 6,000km from NSW to WA, including the area south of Tasmania. It is home to some iconic endemic species – the leafy sea dragon, blue groper, black cowry and other recognisable species.

For over two-thirds of marine species found on the Great Southern Reef, this is their only home – but it sits on a climate-change hotspot and due to human and environmental impacts on the reef over time, this precious ecosystem is under threat - urgent action is needed.

About the Project

With thanks to funding from The Ian Potter Foundation, the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Sudies 'Coastal Ecosystem' team has coordinated an ambitious plan to bring together all the research and existing collaborations across Australia’s universities and management authorities into a single collaborative project – a project that will gather collective knowledge and often overlapping data, coordinate research activities across the Great Southern Reef, and have a strong focus on communicating the science.

“Our vision is to create a shared understanding of the threats and management options needed to protect and restore the reef’s temperate marine life, and we are exceptionally grateful for The Ian Potter Foundation’s support to make this vision a reality,” said IMAS marine ecologist, Professor Graham Edgar, who will lead the initiative.

The ecologically connected reef network spanning Australia’s southern coasts. “The Great Southern Reef Partnership” has been established to: (1) integrate scientific and management efforts to safeguard the GSR, (2) advance public and political connections and perceptions of its value, and (3) generate positive change in upper management and political domains.

The Ian Potter Foundation makes grants nationally to support charitable organisations working to benefit the community across a wide range of sectors and endeavours. Through its grants, the Foundation seeks to encourage excellence and support Australia's talent – the innovators, social entrepreneurs, scientists, academics and researchers, artists and teachers, and those in our society who dedicate themselves to bettering our communities for the benefit of all.