Operation Crayweed: Seaweed and Seagrass Restoration Workshop

Celebrate the marine habitat restoration currently taking place across Sydney and Port Stephens by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

• See and feel the seagrass (Posidonia australis) and seaweed (Phyllospora comosa or crayweed) that provide vital habitat for crayfish, seahorses and a host of fish species
• Spot the crayfish in its seaweed habitat
• Separate the male from the female seaweed plants (crayweed)
• Take part in a Restoration Race – become the first to transplant your seaweeds or seagrasses onto mats and place inside aquaria
• Look under a microscope and count the diversity of small epifauna, the very small animals living on and around these underwater habitats
• Practice mooring your model boat onto an environmentally friendly mooring and observe how the chains from traditional moorings can damage seagrass meadows.

Adults and children alike will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the ecology of these habitats and restoration methods with the chance to chat to researchers.Open to the whole community to people of all ages and access requirements, the afternoon and evening session will demonstrate the vital importance of these key marine habitats within our local marine environment.

Enjoy activities led by researchers and PhD students from SIMS and UNSW’s Operation Crayweed and Operation Posidonia restoration projects. Scientists: Associate Professor Adriana Verges, Proessor Peter Steinberg, Dr Ezequiel “Ziggy” Marzinelli, Dr Damon Bolton, and PhD candidates Georgina Wood, Lana Kajlich, Giulia Ferretto, Dr Sofietje Voerman and Sophie Powell.

This event is hosted by the Operation Crayweed and Posidonia teams from SIMS and UNSW. The workshops are free and no registration is needed, just turn up.

Session Times

Session I: 11 am to 2.30pm

Session II: 5pm to 8.30pm

A UNSW event for Sydney Science Festival during National Science Week. Browse our full program.