Marine life
Analysis
Endangered species
Plibersek made a vow on environmental reforms. Albanese has put that at risk
It appears the prime minister has put Labor’s political survival ahead of the survival of Australia’s endangered species
- by Nick O'Malley and Bianca Hall
Latest
Hundreds of dead fish wash up along the Brisbane River
State wildlife authorities are investigating the mysterious deaths, stretching from St Lucia all the way up to Seventeen Mile Rocks.
- by Catherine Strohfeldt
Emperor penguin returns to wild after swimming 3500km to WA coast
The penguin, affectionately named ‘Gus’ by wildlife carer Carol Biddulph and her husband Graham, is now free to swim home to Antarctica.
- by Holly Thompson
‘Worst fears realised’: One-third of corals dead on section of Barrier Reef
The results of the first surveys of bleached corals after a mass bleaching event show severe damage to a section of Australia’s great natural wonder.
- by Mike Foley
Coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, September 2024
One third of corals have died in a section of reef near Cooktown. SOURCE: Australian Institute of Marine Science
Exclusive
Gas
‘Doesn’t pass the pub test’: Push for moratorium on seismic blasting
More than 2000 seismic surveys have been conducted in waters off Australia since the 1960s, as companies map the seabed to prospect for new oil and gas reserves.
- by Bianca Hall
‘Beacon of hope’: World’s largest coral discovered in Solomon Islands
“Just when we think there is nothing left to discover on planet Earth, we find a massive coral … pulsing with life and colour,” said explorer-in-residence Enric Sala.
- by Bianca Hall
Preventing shark attacks with a clever trick of the light
Australian scientist Laura Ryan thought she could save surfers by fooling sharks. She spent months throwing boards into shark-infested waters to prove it.
- by Jordan Baker
Emperor penguin swims to Australia in longest recorded journey
The young male emperor penguin probably swam from eastern Antarctica and was malnourished on arrival. It will need to make its own way home.
- by Kieran Kelly
Exclusive
Perth
WA’s new mega-marine park ‘misses the science’ in thwarted ambition: expert
This vast plan, which attracted 22,000 public comments, has had a fatal drop in protections at the final hour and will now never do what the government promises, an expert says.
- by Emma Young
Entangled humpback whale calf freed off the coast of Sydney
The calf was freed after it was spotted near Bondi Beach entangled in a rope and buoy.
- by Frances Howe