SEA-MES — Setting Sail for Marine Research Excellence
Southeast Australia’s oceans are changing faster than anyone imagined. This region has become a climate change hotspot, with the East Australian Current warming at approximately four times the global average. This has real consequences: marine species are shifting southward, habitats like seagrass and kelp forests are under stress, and commercial fish stocks may be changing in distribution and abundance.
Enter the South-East Australia Marine Ecosystem Survey (SEA-MES), a multi-year, collaborative initiative that revisits marine areas studied 25 years ago through four planned voyages. The fourth voyage is upcoming on May 26 and will last 33 days—allowing us to piece together what’s changed, why it matters, and how we can respond.
Crucially, SEA-MES is more than just a scientific voyage. By partnering with marine park managers, fisheries authorities, industry, Indigenous groups, ECOPs and other stakeholders, we aim to translate new insights into real-world benefits—think targeted marine conservation efforts, smarter fisheries management, and evidence-based policy for offshore energy. On top of that, we’re empowering a new generation of researchers: early career ocean professionals and industry participants who are getting hands-on experience aboard the RV Investigator, gaining everything from advanced technical knowledge to invaluable professional networks. This focus on impact management—deliberately planning, monitoring, and evaluating how our findings will create positive change—means that every discovery moves us one step closer to preserving ocean health and supporting sustainable industries, with continuous improvement from each voyage.
Now we want to hear from you. As the marine environment changes globally, what matters most to you? Participate in the poll and join the conversation below or reach out to learn more—we can all play a part in charting a sustainable path for our blue backyard.
See the latest results of the CSIRO LinkedIn poll here
