Three dive for fish conservation

Named for the renowned Australian diver, filmmaker and conservationist, the Valerie Taylor Ocean Prizes support projects that make a direct impact on ocean health, protection and restoration, or activate communities for care of the ocean.

Three research projects from the UTS Fish Ecology Lab were recognised at a ceremony in Sydney for National Science Week:

• Sydney seadragon census – a pilot study using underwater drones to survey populations of this iconic species at depths lower than 25 metres that are unsafe for divers.
• Seahorse recovery project – a restoration project for cauliflower soft coral in Sydney Harbour, a crucial habitat for the endangered white’s seahorse.
• Fishers for sanctuaries – a fisher-led education project building understanding of responsible fishing and habitat conservation.

“These wins highlight the breadth and depth of our research that is helping the conversation efforts around iconic fish species and their habitats,” said Professor David Booth, Director of the UTS Fish Ecology Lab.

“They will help the team further efforts to explore whether deeper reefs are a refuge for the weedy seadragon against climate change, expand endangered soft coral planting and use digital tools to inform recreational fishers of best practices in marine conservation.”

Sydney seahorse census
Professor David Booth, Giglia Beretta, Kieran Chau and Belle Mullins
A survey of weedy seadragon populations in deeper waters around Sydney to explore how useful underwater drones are in locating, counting and documenting this iconic species in deeper waters. Underwater drones could be a safer and more effective way of tracking these populations in deeper reefs lower than 25 metres. A pilot study will compare drone detections to parallel diver counts in shallower waters off southern Sydney and if successful, will enable wider deployment. These surveys will directly link to more accurate population estimates for weedy seadragons and feed into conservation efforts.

Seahorse recovery project
Mitchell Brennan and Jillian Chambers 
A project to reintroduce cauliflower soft coral at Middle Head and Camp Cove in Sydney Harbour, where historically recorded populations have been lost. This distinctive habitat-forming coral provides important structural complexity for marine life, including the endangered white’s seahorse. The team will undertake six SCUBA monitoring surveys between August 2026 and April 2027 to monitor coral survival, growth and condition. The findings will help assess the feasibility of expanding cauliflower soft coral restoration across Sydney Harbour.

Fishers for sanctuaries
Dr Alex Rigg and Will Knoke 
A fisher-led education project that translates marine science into practical resources showing how responsible fishing, healthy habitats and well-designed sanctuary areas can support resilient fisheries.