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A cluster of Cauliflower Coral (Dendronephthya australis) credit David Harasti. The gardens of purple, cauliflower-like corals that have long-delighted divers in Port Stephens waters are in significant decline, a Southern Cross University study has found. Sand movement (sediment mobilisation) along with boat anchoring and moorings are the likely causes. Recent flooding has exacerbated the destruction of this soft coral which was recently listed as Endangered. The study found the Port Stephens’ clusters of Dendronephthya australis, mapped by the research team in 2019, had declined by almost 70% in just eight years. More recently, researchers were shocked to find high levels of run-off in the Karuah River catchment during the March 2021 floods has caused even further devastation of this population. Port Stephens, north of Newcastle, is the only known location where this species is found in large, habitat-forming clusters (aggregations).

Marine parkNew south walesKaruah riverPort stephensPort stephenDavid harastiMeryl larkinSouthern cross universityFisheries scientific committeeDepartment of primary industriesCauliflower coralPrimary industriesEndangered whitePort stephens great lakes marine parkScientific committeeShelf science