PRESS RELEASE: Bass Coast community comes together to bring back world’s tallest underwater forests
A bold new community-led project is bringing together marine scientists, aquaculture experts, Traditional Owners, local businesses, community groups and volunteers with an ambitious goal: to bring Giant Kelp forests back to Phillip Island and the Bass Coast.
Island Kelp Recovery officially launched 19 September 2026, with a vision to restore Giant Kelp forests, rebuild marine biodiversity and help create a more resilient future for the region’s coastal communities. Giant Kelp forests are the world’s tallest underwater forests, reaching up to 20 metres high, and once thrived along Victoria’s coastline. They provide food and shelter for marine life including penguins, seals and rock lobster and support healthy coastal fisheries. Today, Giant Kelp forests are listed as Critically Endangered in Australia.
But their story doesn’t have to end there.
Island Kelp Recovery will combine marine restoration science, aquaculture expertise, Traditional Owner knowledge and community action to develop a practical approach to restoring Giant Kelp in local waters, with the potential to contribute to recovery efforts elsewhere in Australia.
Dr Chris Gillies, CEO of Offshore Biotechnologies, said the project was about turning hope into action in the face of climate change.
“Giant Kelp forests were once part of this coastline. We know they can recover, and now we have an opportunity to help make that happen. This is about bringing the right science, skills and people together, and giving nature a helping hand.”
Gea Lovell, Volunteer Coordinator with Rotary Phillip Island and San Remo, who are founding partners in the project said the project was already demonstrating what was possible when a community came together around a shared goal.
“There’s something incredibly powerful about bringing people together to restore an ecosystem we thought we might have lost. Everyone has something to contribute — knowledge, skills, equipment, creativity, time or simply a willingness to get involved. This is our chance to bring Giant Kelp back, together.”
An immediate goal of the project was to collect kelp seedstock ahead of the predicted marine heat wave event in Victoria associated with the stronger forecast El Nino.
Dr Gillies said “the forecast marine heat wave is predicted to be the strongest on record and it’s likely to wipe out most the remaining giant kelp in eastern Victoria. We’ve seen what happens to kelp forests and other ecosystems like coral reefs when heat waves strike. It’s absolutely devastating for marine life”.
Dr Gillies said there was hope though, as seeds can be collected before the marine heat wave occurs and used to restore kelp forests after the heat wave had passed.
“With immediate action, we know we can preserve the genetic structure of the remaining Giant Kelp and use this to re-seed kelp forests. It’s worked in Tasmania and elsewhere and we are confident it can work in Gippsland too.
The Project is calling on Government, philanthropy and the business community to support the project so kelp seeds can be collected and a mobile nursery established.
Gea Lovell said Rotary Phillip Island and San Remo and several other local businesses had already provided financial support to help establish the project and provide the launchpad for long term success.
“The response from the community had been inspiring. From local artists to tourism operators and local tradies, the community is really rallying around the project to help get it started.
“People want to be part of something positive — something that will still be here for the next generation. We’re seeing people put their hands up with their time, their skills and their resources. That generosity is what makes this project so exciting.”
Project partners include: SeaGen Aquaculture, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Streamline Media, San Remo Fisherman’s Cooperative, CC Signs and Designs, Wilderness Coastal Cruises, Antco Solutions, Victorian Sub-Aqua Group, Art Space Wonthaggi and Ora.
Local Kelp and Community evenings will be held on Sunday 11 October from 5:45pm at Burninneit Centre in Cowes, and on Monday 12 October from 5:45pm at Council Chambers in Wonthaggi, with project partners encouraging everyone to get along.
“There is a role for everyone who wants to be involved in helping to bring back the world’s tallest underwater forests” said Gea Lovell.
For more information about the project and community information sessions, please visit: www.islandkelprecovery.org
Photo credit: Jarrod Boord, Streamline Media
ENDS
Media contact
Chris Gillies
CEO, Offshore Biotechnologies
0412 663 506
[email protected]
