CMERC

04/06/2026

Join us in celebrating the first seagrass flower of the year at the CMERC SeaGrow nursery! 🌱 found by First Nations Sea Ranger Marky and CMERC nursery worker Jess. This marks an exciting milestone as we kick off our seasonal activities.

Our nursery is not just a space for cultivating seagrass; it’s a vibrant hub where we integrate seed production with wildflower collections. By doing this, we aim to enhance both local biodiversity and coastal ecosystems.

Get Involved!
Our flower collection events will be starting in August, contact us if you would like to get involved. Or if you are in Gladstone come and see us at Ecofest and sign up! Together, we can promote coastal ecological health and foster a deeper connection with nature.

SeaGrow is supported by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation

01/06/2026

Now this is scaling. Go AIMS!

24/04/2026

We’re hiring🦈📷🚁🗺️ : Research Officer / GIS Officer – Gladstone

CQUniversity’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre is looking for a Research Officer / GIS Officer to support spatial analysis, mapping and applied research across coastal and marine projects.

This role offers the chance to contribute to high-impact work in ecosystem restoration, environmental monitoring and regional research partnerships.

If you have GIS capability and are interested in applying your skills to real-world marine and coastal challenges, please apply through the CQUniversity careers page.

Link https://careers.cqu.edu.au/job/Gladstone-Research-Officer-GIS-Officer-QLD/1360439566/

16/04/2026

Do you live in Mackay Whitsundays and fancy something a little different this weekend while helping the marine environment ……..

05/03/2026

28/02/2026

🌊✨ Happy World Seagrass Day! 🌿💙

Today, we celebrate the incredible seagrass ecosystems that enrich our oceans and support vibrant biodiversity and thriving fisheries! A huge shoutout to all the seagrass researchers, practitioners, ambassadors, and volunteers who tirelessly dedicate their time and expertise to protect and restore these vital habitats. Your hard work makes a world of difference!

Let’s continue to advocate for the health of our oceans and recognise the vital role seagrasses play in our ecosystem. Together, we can ensure a sustainable future for marine life!

Thank you for all that you do! 🌏🐠

19/12/2025

We keep growing! A unique opportunity has become available to support marine research at CQUniversity’s Coastal Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (CMERC), located on the Gladstone Marina, as our new Boating and Diving Officer. Link in the comments.

04/11/2025

Thank you GHHP partners for joining us and doing such an amazing job to help collect!

14/10/2025

Excited to be part of this project and welcome our new PhD student David Jen!

🌊 Pioneering Coral Restoration in Gladstone 🌿

We’re proud to be part of a groundbreaking Coral reef restoration research project in the Port of Gladstone, alongside Gladstone Ports Corporation, CQUniversity, and UTS.

This 2025–27 initiative is using cutting-edge genetic and phenotype testing to identify and grow corals with increased thermal tolerance, helping to future-proof the Great Barrier Reef. 🪸

By combining research, reef restoration expertise, and sustainable aquaculture, the project aims to:
✅ Restore degraded coral habitats
✅ Build long-term reef resilience
✅ Develop scalable, cost-effective restoration methods

The project also investigates how macroalgae (seaweed) impacts coral growth — ensuring a truly holistic approach to reef recovery.

Together, we’re working towards a stronger, more resilient reef for generations to come. 💙

For more information:
https://gpcl.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GPC-Coral-Restoration-Project-A4-fact-sheet-21-August-2025.pdf

01/10/2025

🌿🐠 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲!

Finish the school holidays with a feel-good, fun activity! Come along to Cannonvale Beach and be part of a hands-on seagrass restoration activity that’s perfect for families.

📅 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟰 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿
🕝 𝟭:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺
📍 Meet at the picnic tables opposite Fat Frog Café – look for the Reef Catchments + OzFish Unlimited flags!

Roll up your sleeves, explore the shoreline, and help care for the Great Barrier Reef by collecting seagrass seagrass seeds to aid seagrass restoration research – an important habitat for turtles, dugongs, and fish.

👉 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://shorturl.at/hadtn

Seagrass restoration and research in the Whitsundays is delivered by CQUniversity Australia, Reef Catchments and OzFish Unlimited in partnership with the community.

The project is funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation Whitsunday Reef Islands Initiative, which is supported by Lendlease, the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Queensland Government, and the Fitzgerald Family Foundation.

Coral Sea Marina Queensland Environment CMERC