In 1975, the beach-cast seaweed industry was established on King Island, Tasmania, with the formation of Kelp Industries Pty Ltd. Beach-cast Southern Bull Kelp (Durvillaea potatorum) is collected from beaches, dried, and shipped offshore for alginate extraction and the fertiliser/biostimulant markets. Similar businesses have since emerged on Tasmania’s northwest coast.

Despite the success of the Marine Plant Fishery there is a paucity of information about its trajectory, particularly in relation to how climate change will impact the industry. Anecdotally, kelp carters have observed significant changes in bull kelp distribution, harvest amounts, as well as swell conditions over recent decades. My project will formerly capture this local ecological knowledge and calibrate it with available, harvest data, historic field surveys and climate and oceanographic data to identify climate-driven ecological, social, and sector changes in Tasmania’s Marine Plant Fishery since 1975. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial for future forecasting and management.

Objectives:  

1. Reconstruct Historical Changes: Analyse the distribution, abundance, and harvest patterns of bull kelp from 1975 to 2024 using historical data, personal logbooks, and oral histories from local harvesters.
2. Assess Socio-Economic Impacts: Evaluate the social and economic effects of changes in bull kelp populations on the Marine Plant Sector.
3. Assess Climate Impacts: Analyse the relationship between local sea surface temperature, and swell conditions around King Island and the west coast of Tasmania and changes in bull kelp distribution and biomass over recent decades.

Expected Outcomes:   

1. Enhanced Knowledge: Provide a detailed understanding of the factors driving changes in bull kelp populations.
2. Industry Benefits: Quantify climate impacts to the Marine Plant Fishery and deliver insights for future management.
3. Government Policy: Inform government policies and regulatory frameworks with data-driven recommendations to support management of the Marine Plant Sector and marine conservation.
4. Community Engagement: Strengthen community involvement and awareness through participatory research methods, fostering a collaborative approach to marine conservation.

RELATED NEWS