🌕 After the full moon, corals on the GBR release millions of gametes in a stunning “underwater snowstorm.”

At SeaSim, we replicate natural cues like light, temp, & lunar cycles to study coral reproduction, resilience, & restoration.

The full moon is tonight & we’re ready for #Spawnathon2025

🪸 Handle with care, precious corals have arrived at SeaSim for #Spawnathon2025!

Our facility is designed to mimic the exact conditions that trigger #spawning These capabilities allow researchers to study #coral breeding, resilience, and restoration, supporting world-class reef science at #AIMS. 🌊

🔬🌕 Preparations are in full swing for #Spawnathon2025!

Our newly expanded facility is being fine-tuned. From plumbing, construction, and programming, our technicians are working to create perfect conditions for coral spawning after the full moon on Nov 4.

Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates!

The Coral Growout Robotic Assessment System (CGRAS) has arrived at AIMS! Developed by QUT, this AI-powered system tracks & monitor coral larvae during coral spawning to support reef restoration efforts.

#RRAP #Spawnathon2025

It was a privilege to be involved in the Australian Coral Reef Society conference this year!
💡Our Director presented on the SeaSim Access Program
🔬We hosted a tour of SeaSim and visitors connected with our Tech Dev team.
It was inspiring to engage with the science community.

#marinescience #ACRS25

🦈 Can the resilient epaulette shark keep up with climate change?

Researchers are testing how warming & low oxygen impact metabolism, energy use & survival. By studying 24 sharks from Heron Island, we hope to understand whether natural fluctuations protect or intensify stress in future oceans.

Excited to announce our publication on controlled out-of-season coral spawning! Our team triggered spawning months ahead of the natural season by manipulating temperature, daylength, and moonlight. Nearly 2M larvae from 6 species produced!

Paper: lnkd.in/gtPTCzyp
Media release: bit.ly/3IryQRM

SeaSim is supporting Rana Elmesseri (JCU) in an international study on coral microbiomes. By comparing Heliofungia from Australia & Indonesia, researchers will explore how microbes respond to environmental shifts—revealing new insights into reef health & resilience. 🌊🧬

#SeaSim #MarineScience #Coral

Need an advanced marine experimental research facility to conduct your research?!

Soon, researchers will be able to apply for the SeaSim Access Program, which will provide merit-based, funded access to SeaSim at the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

Sign up to learn more > bit.ly/4iNpSdO

🧫 What do baby Crown-of-Thorns Sea stars (CoTS) eat?
Before becoming aggressive coral eaters, CoTS spend ~5–6 months post-settlement grazing algae.

Researchers at AIMS & JCU found they grow 38× faster on one CCA: Melyvonnea cf. madagascariensis.

🔗 Publication> bit.ly/417JwLw

A study led by Southern Cross University researchers finds that feeding Acropora larvae significantly enhances settlement—up to 2.5×

🔬 Medium feeding (50 mL) yielded optimal outcomes
🧬Fed larvae were larger + more viable
🌱Feeding strategies can assist reef restoration

🔗https://bit.ly/4jKNGj4

PhD candidates @ashtyn-isaak.bsky.social & @hollykoch20.bsky.social are researching how ocean acidification and high light contribute to bleaching, which includes:

🧪36 tanks, 4 species, 12 treatments, 400+ samples
🧬2 corals & 2 crustose coralline algae
🔬 Drivers: light, temp, & 4 levels of PCO2

When Sea Urchins Take 'Tank Duties' a Bit Too Far

At #SeaSim, our algae-eating urchins decided to give a Triton snail a full shell scrub using their 5-toothed jaws (Aristotle’s lantern).
Helpful? Opportunistic? Hard to tell!

Marine life never fails to surprise — or amuse. 🐌

#SeaSim #MarineScience

🚨 Announcing the National Sea Simulator Funded Access Program!

Researchers can soon apply for merit-based access to our world-class facility, supported by NCRIS.

To be the first to know about upcoming calls for proposals, sign up to our email list > bit.ly/4iNpSdO

#SeaSim #NCRISImpact

🔬 At SeaSim, precision is key!

Our advanced systems replicate complex ocean conditions to support world-leading marine research. Siemens PCS 7 helps us maintain accurate and stable experimental conditions.

🌊 Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4bXg0w9 #SeaSim

#MarineScience

Supporting education to foster the next generation of marine scientists! 🎉

SeaSim is donating urchins to JCU's Hatchery Techniques course.

These urchins were used as part of RRAP research to boost the growth and survival of baby corals.

Read more >> bit.ly/43wTqIA

#MarineScience #SeaSim

New research from AIMS & JCU shows rising temps disrupt coral-algae symbiosis. It found:

🔹 Heat stress alters coral-algae nutritional status, affecting coral health
🔹 Gene expression changes appear before visible stress

🔗Read more: bit.ly/4h7OwFh
@patricklaffy.bsky.social @emmamarangon.bsky.social

Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP joined us to announce the launch of our $42.7M expansion, backed by NCRIS, which nearly doubles our experimental space!

A portion of the new facility will soon be open to researchers worldwide. Learn more >> bit.ly/418lFdQ

#SeaSim #NCRIS