SIMS

SIMS is bringing together the marine expertise of a number of universities and government agencies to form a marine institute dedicated to, and situated in, an urban marine environment.

Spring bloom brings jelly balls to NSW coast

An unusual abundance of jelly-like creatures has been discovered in inshore waters along the NSW coast from Sydney to Newcastle. The surprise find was made by a team of scientists from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science and colleagues who have just completed a marine survey of the region.

Genetic and proteomic approach to the development of potential biomarkers

Based primarily at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Macquarie University PhD candidates Daisy Taylor and Emma Thompson are developing a potential biomarker to assess estuarine pollution using revolutionary molecular techniques.

Jekyll and Hyde

Octopus are highly intelligent animals and are capable of completing complex tasks. For instance octopus can be seen to unscrew lids of jars to retrieve food from within. Renata Pronk, an honours student from Macquarie University, is working with the Common Sydney octopus. Her work involves using video playback to determine if octopus have personality.

The Way of the Wobby

A new project aimed at understanding the impacts of releasing predators within Marine Parks recently started along the Sydney shore.

Life History of the Weedy Sea Dragon

The weedy or common sea dragon is only found off the southern coast of Australia. While much study has been made of the sea dragon in captivity, little is known about the behaviour of the species in the wild.

Aquaculture Industry: Could sea urchins be next?

Dr Jane Williamson of Macquarie University is undertaking research into whether Australia could establish a viable aquaculture industry in sea urchins, which would not only provide valuable export dollars but would also offer protection to our fragile marine environment.

Hitch hiking on the EAC

Every summer, snorkelers along the coast of southern NSW are treated to a colourful show as a variety of tropical fishes begin to appear among the rocks and weeds.

The Mourning Cuttlefish

Sydney Harbour is home to many marine species of which we know very little. However one student's research hopes to add to our scientific knowledge of the Mourning cuttlefish, Sepia plangon.

Fight Against Oyster Killing Parasites

A team led by Associate Professor David Raftos of Macquarie University's Department of Biological Sciences is collaborating with NSW Fisheries and oyster farmers on a project that will hopefully determine how and why the QX parasite is such an effective killer of the Sydney rock oyster.

The Endangered Grey Nurse Shark

Given humankind's fascination with sharks, it's surprising how little we know about them. Which is why the work of Associate Professor Rob Harcourt and his Marine Mammal Research Group at Macquarie University is of such vital importance.

Extraterrestrial clue

Recently discovered modern-day relatives of 3.5 billion year old fossils may show how life could evolve on other planets.

Human Impacts on Bottlenose Dolphins

The whale and dolphin watching industries in New South Wales are a wonderful, and lucrative, example of how marine mammals can mean more to humans than just a food source - but what impacts do these activities have on the animals themselves?

New weapon in germ warfare, thanks to a humble seaweed

A new treatment for the age-old scourge of cholera and perhaps a whole new type of antibiotic medicine may emerge from chemicals discovered in humble seaweed found growing on the Sydney coast.

Finding more than Nemo

Where do the fish in and around Sydney Harbour come from? While many species live out their lives in the harbour's waters, others arrive on ocean currents and in many cases precious little is known about their life cycles.

Keeping Tabs on Secret Stowaways

As a busy international port receiving goods from around the world, Sydney Harbour is at frequent risk of getting imports of the unintended kind in the form of invasive marine creatures attached to ships' hulls or in their ballast water discharges.

Trophic Cascades in Australian Seagrasses

The complex relationships between seagrasses, the epiphytes that are supported by seagrasses, and the invertebrates and fish that feed on these epiphytes is called a trophic cascade. Research into trophic cascades will provide insight into how best to maintain seagrass stocks and the commercially important fishes that rely on them.

El Nino clues from the bottom of the ocean

Just as you can use growth rings in trees to age them you can use layers of sediments to look at events in the geological record and to estimate when in geological history they happened.

Marine National Parks Biodiversity Study

Katie Newton and David Raftos from Macquarie University are working with the NSW Department of Primary Industries to gather baseline biodiversity data for new marine national parks.