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Marine and Freshwater Research

Marine and Freshwater Research

Marine and Freshwater Research is a multidisciplinary journal publishing original research and reviews on all aquatic environments and subject areas. Read more about the journalMore

Editors-in-Chief: Shokoofeh Shamsi and Vinicius Farjalla

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Marine and Freshwater Research is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 11 July 2025

MF24244Optical properties of dissolved organic matter along a salinity gradient from a boreal river estuary to open coastal waters

Aleksandr Berezovski 0009-0006-1516-3330, Dag O. Hessen, Hanne Halkjelsvik Børseth and Tom Andersen
 

This study investigated the optical and isotopic properties of organic matter along a salinity gradient from the Glomma River to the outer Oslofjord. The results indicated that the light absorbance by terrestrial organic carbon and its fraction to marine-derived carbon diminish the further we go from the shore. It illustrates how coastal darkening is a relevant ecological issue affecting mainly near-coastal areas.

MF24244 Abstract  |  MF24244 Full Text  | MF24244PDF (1.3 MB)  | MF24244Supplementary Material (415 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 10 July 2025

MF25049Decadal monitoring shows seagrass decline and community shifts following environmental disturbance in Moreton Bay, south-eastern Queensland, Australia

Joanna N. Smart 0000-0002-0717-0390, Nicholas M. Hammerman, Kirsten M. Golding, Kathryn Markey, Eva Kovacs and Chris Roelfsema
 

This study tracks significant changes in seagrass meadows across Australia’s Eastern Banks (Moreton Bay) from 2011 to 2024, by using nearly 50,000 photo samples. Results showed declines in overall seagrass coverage across three banks, with Oceana serrulata replacing Zostera muelleri as the dominant species in some areas. These ecosystem shifts appear linked to flood events and changing water quality, highlighting the vulnerability of these ecosystems to environmental disturbances, and emphasising the need for enhanced monitoring and management.

MF25049 Abstract  |  MF25049 Full Text  | MF25049PDF (2.1 MB)  | MF25049Supplementary Material (559 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 10 July 2025

MF25015At-vessel mortality of tawny nurse sharks (Nebrius ferrugineus) caught in the Queensland Shark Control Program

Matthew J. Campbell 0000-0002-4950-4264, Tracey B. Scott-Holland, Samuel J. Fary and Matthew N. McMillan
 

Tawny nurse sharks (Nebrius ferrugineus) are caught incidentally by the Queensland Shark Control Program (QSCP) using baited drumlines and large-mesh nets. This study found that the at-vessel mortality (AVM) of N. ferrugineus was 5.95 and 30.1% for those animals caught on drumlines and in nets respectively. As such, the QSCP poses low risk to the N. ferrugineus population in Queensland.

MF25015 Abstract  |  MF25015 Full Text  | MF25015PDF (670 KB)  | MF25015Supplementary Material (440 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 03 July 2025

MF24250Characteristics of a marine wildlife tourism site: Stingray City, Cayman Islands, before, during and after the COVID-19 global pandemic

Bradley M. Wetherbee 0000-0002-3753-8950, Colby D. Kresge, Jeremy J. Vaudo 0000-0002-6826-3822, Guy C. M. Harvey, Jessica C. Harvey and Mahmood S. Shivji
 

Stingray City, Cayman Islands, is one of the most famous marine life interaction sites in the world, where an aggregation of stingrays are regularly fed by and interact with humans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, feeding of stingrays ceased and tourism operations at the site shut down. During this time, the size and composition of the stingray aggregation changed dramatically and even following resumption of tourism activities, the aggregation remained altered from pre-pandemic conditions. This study has illustrated the large-scale effects that human activities may have on wildlife tourism.

MF24250 Abstract  | PDF (896 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 02 July 2025

MF25008Assessing the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on shrimp growth, physiology, antioxidant, immune responses and gut microbiota

Mohammad Hossein Khanjani 0000-0002-3891-8082, Alireza Mohammadi, Moslem Sharifinia and Soibam Khogen Singh
 

There is widespread contamination of our oceans with plastic waste, dominated by MPs and NPs. Crustaceans, such as shrimp, exhibit omnivorous feeding habits, consuming all available substances in their environment, including MPs from water, sediment and prey. The detrimental effects of MPs and NPs on crustaceans are multifaceted, encompassing metabolic and biochemical disturbances, alterations in feeding behaviours, histological anomalies, organ dysfunctions, synergistic interactions with heavy metals, reproductive malformations, dysregulated pattern of gene expression, elevated oxidative stress responses and diminished survival rates.

MF25008 Abstract  | PDF (1.5 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 02 July 2025

MF24180Reconciling blue spaces: evaluating social equity and justice in state-led Indigenous marine development programs

Jillian E. Conrad 0009-0003-5172-579X, Laura Griffiths, Natalie Osborne, James C. R. Smart and Christopher L. J. Frid
 

The Blue Peacebuilding Scorecard introduces an innovative method for assessing how governments are integrating Indigenous rights and interests into ocean management. This research debuts the BPS with case studies from Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The authors spotlight programs that other nations can learn from to reduce conflict, advance reconciliation and work towards a sustainable ocean future.

This article belongs to the collection: Science in Sea Country.

MF24180 Abstract  |  MF24180 Full Text  | MF24180PDF (4.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 25 June 2025

MF25053Advancing fish early life-history research: daily age determination of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) with Fourier transform–near-infrared spectroscopy

Esther D. Goldstein 0000-0002-0499-7288, Mary E. Matta, Charles D. Waters 0000-0003-4606-3202, Heather K. Fulton-Bennett 0000-0002-5938-9714, Brenna C. Hsieh, Craig R. Kastelle 0000-0002-6681-1602, Johanna J. Vollenweider, Jakub T. Sliwinski and Thomas E. Helser
 

Fish daily age information provides insight into growth, phenology, recruitment and survival, but is rarely incorporated into fisheries management because data collection is laborious. We tested Fourier transform–near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy as a rapid method to determine daily age from otoliths of an important commercial species, walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus). Results indicated that FT-NIR spectroscopy may provide a valuable tool to collect daily age information for research and management.

MF25053 Abstract  | PDF (2.3 MB) - $35.00   | MF25053Supplementary Material (2.5 MB)
Published online 13 June 2025

MF24260Stream position shapes functional composition of aquatic insect metacommunities

Silvia Vendruscolo Milesi 0000-0002-9568-6476 and Luiz Ubiratan Hepp
 

We consider the position of streams to determine how the spatial configuration can influence the functional patterns of aquatic insect metacommunities. We observed the highest values of functional richness and diversity in the mainstem zones compared with headwater. The mainstem areas deserve to be focused on for environmental conservation in aquatic ecosystems, considering their high functional richness and diversity.

MF24260 Abstract  | PDF (1.2 MB) - $35.00   | MF24260Supplementary Material (932 KB)
Published online 10 June 2025

MF24256Examining annual catch trends and gear selectivity of bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas): implications for Queensland’s coastal management

Riley W. Banaghan 0009-0001-9649-6906, Alexis L. Levengood and Bonnie J. Holmes
 

Off Australia’s eastern coast, bull sharks are frequently caught in the Queensland Shark Control Program. This study analysed nearly three decades of data, showing patterns in catch rates, shark size and gear selectivity. Findings highlighted trends that may indicate population changes, influenced by factors such as fishing pressure and climate. Such insights aid in understanding long-term shark conservation needs.

MF24256 Abstract  |  MF24256 Full Text  | MF24256PDF (885 KB)  | MF24256Supplementary Material (485 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 06 June 2025

MF24202Seasonal dynamics of abundance and biomass of cyanobacteria in the periphyton and epilithon in Karantinnaya Bay (northern Black Sea) in relation to physicochemical factors of the environment

Ekaterina Miroshnichenko 0000-0001-7985-9747, Sergey Kapranov, Natalia Rodionova and Anastasiia Blaginina
 

Cyanobacteria in marine fouling communities play an important role in the functioning of microbiota and respond differently to environmental changes. The annual dynamics of abundance and biomass of various morphological groups of cyanobacteria within communities reflect seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions. In turn, there are distinct differences in the composition of cyanobacterial communities in periphyton and epilithon due to specific ecological conditions. Such research is necessary to understand how microbial communities contribute to the function of marine coastal ecosystems.

MF24202 Abstract  | PDF (1.7 MB) - $35.00   | MF24202Supplementary Material (702 KB)
Published online 05 June 2025

MF25013Enhancing river flows v. environmental engineering as contrasting approaches to wetland conservation in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia

Peiqin Ziang, Matthew J. Colloff 0000-0002-3765-0627 and Jamie Pittock 0000-0001-6293-996X
 

We compared two contrasting approaches to wetland conservation in the Murray River, south-eastern Australia, one based on improving environmental flows and the other based on building infrastructure to retain water on floodplains. We found that the former approach achieved much the same flow frequency, extent and duration, at much lower cost and is likely to prove a more flexible option.

MF25013 Abstract  |  MF25013 Full Text  | MF25013PDF (2.4 MB)  | MF25013Supplementary Material (661 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 03 June 2025

MF25031Marine habitat mapping of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) foraging grounds in the Northern Territory, Australia

Natalie Robson 0009-0000-9955-1926, Carol Palmer, Sam Banks 0000-0003-2415-0057, Michele Thums, Alana Grech, Joanna Day, Kakadu Rangers , Robert Risk 0009-0001-0003-4767, Dylan Cooper and Garnet Hooper
 

This study maps green turtle feeding areas in Australia’s Northern Territory by using satellite images and underwater videos. Working closely with Indigenous rangers, researchers identified key habitats, including seagrass and algae, which are vital for turtle survival. The findings support conservation planning and empower Indigenous communities to manage their Sea Country more effectively.

MF25031 Abstract  |  MF25031 Full Text  | MF25031PDF (4.3 MB)  | MF25031Supplementary Material (1.2 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 27 May 2025

MF24234Pollution effects on diversity and content of the stable isotope 15N in macroinvertebrates: a study of the impacts on the functional groups from the Maipo River, Chile

María Paz Briones-Alburquenque, Jorge Cortés-Miranda and Caren Vega-Retter 0000-0001-9891-3403
 

This study examined how pollution affects the diversity and nitrogen content of macroinvertebrate communities in Chile’s Maipo River Basin. Organisms of polluted areas have higher nitrogen concentrations, likely owing to nutrient input. This could have an impact on the macroinvertebrate diet, affecting the community composition, functional feeding group diversity and the trophic structure, which should be considered for futures management plans.

MF24234 Abstract  | PDF (954 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 12 May 2025

MF25030Behavioural flexibility of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in response to changing water depth in a drought-affected Tasmanian stream

Simon Roberts and Melody Serena 0000-0002-8666-1277
 

A photograph of a platypus foraging in a Tasmanian stream.

Time-lapse cameras were used to describe how platypus activity patterns changed during a cease-to-flow event lasting nearly 2 months along a normally reliably flowing Tasmanian stream. The findings indicate that the platypus’s ability to survive extended dry periods relies on its having access to sufficiently large and productive refuge habitats. (Photograph by Simon Roberts.)

MF25030 Abstract  |  MF25030 Full Text  | MF25030PDF (5.3 MB)  | MF25030Supplementary Material (913 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 12 May 2025

MF24259Historical changes in marine communities uncovered in diverse data sources highlight impacts over half a century

John W. Turnbull 0000-0002-8935-1012, David J. Booth and Graeme F. Clark
 

An illustration showing differences between marine communities at Shiprock, near Sydney, before and after the 1980s.

Historical records can provide invaluable insights into long-term changes in marine communities, but they are limited by the methods used at the time. In this study, we have highlighted how the marine life at a popular site in Sydney has changed over 58 years, owing to the efforts of citizen scientists. (Image credit: Jordana Costa.)

MF24259 Abstract  |  MF24259 Full Text  | MF24259PDF (2.8 MB)  | MF24259Supplementary Material (696 KB)   Open Access Article

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Most Read

The Most Read ranking is based on the number of downloads in the last 60 days from papers published on the CSIRO PUBLISHING website within the last 12 months. Usage statistics are updated daily.

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Science in Sea Country

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a long and enduring connection to Sea Country. The marine science community must actively embrace Indigenous knowledge and make space for it in our current publishing systems, as well as exploring new and innovative ways to share knowledge and encourage the next generation of Indigenous scientists. To that end, the Australian Marine Sciences Association presents this Collection focusing on ‘Science in Sea Country’.

Collection Editors
Laura Parker and Rachel Przeslawski

Last Updated: 02 Jul 2025

Global perspectives: sustainable management of freshwater aquatic ecosystem services and water resources

Freshwater ecosystems, such as rivers, lakes, wetlands and estuaries, are essential for water purification, flood control and biodiversity. Given growing populations and climate change, sustainable management is critical for ensuring water quality and ecosystem health. The collection 'Global perspectives: sustainable management of freshwater aquatic ecosystem services and water resources' focuses on environmental flow assessments, pollution control, habitat restoration and climate change impacts. Contributions from the 7th International Symposium on Water Resource and Environmental Management (WREM2024) and other experts are invited to share innovative solutions for the global conservation and sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Collection Editor
Zhanhong Wan

Last Updated: 19 Mar 2025

Research highlights from South and Central America

This issue highlights groundbreaking research rooted in Central and South America, showcasing the region's rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems, and cultural heritage. From the ecological dynamics of the Amazon to sustainable agricultural innovations, these studies provide a window into the challenges and opportunities facing one of the world's most diverse regions. Researchers explore the intersection of science, conservation, and local knowledge, offering insights into preserving fragile ecosystems and fostering resilience in the face of climate change. With a focus on Central and South America, this collection underscores the importance of regional perspectives in addressing global issues. We hope these contributions inspire continued collaboration and innovative solutions for the sustainable future of the region and beyond.

Papers in this collection are free to read until 31 May 2025

Last Updated: 05 Feb 2025

Ecological monitoring and assessment of freshwater ecosystems: new trends and future challenges

Conservation efforts and restoration initiatives are crucial for improving biodiversity, ecological integrity, and ensuring the availability of clean water and other vital ecosystem services. This collection highlights the latest developments in these fields, as discussed at the 6th International Symposium on Water Pollution and Treatment 2023. The articles herein primarily concentrate on the sustainable enhancement of freshwater ecological system monitoring and assessment methods, the identification of indicator species, and the preservation of ecosystem services.

Collection Editor
Yong Xiao

Last Updated: 10 Jan 2025

Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice

Following the Basin Plan 2012, there has been a concerted effort from agencies and research institutions to manage and monitor flows and the environment in the Murray–Darling Basin. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) funded extensive research programs in the northern Murray–Darling Basin during the period of time following the Basin Plan's release. With the Basin Plan scheduled for renewal in the next few years after 2024, this collection is intended to provide a focused source of information of flow management related research in the northern Murray–Darling Basin. This collection will be a resource for the creators of the next Basin Plan and improve understanding of flow management more broadly in Australia and worldwide.

All papers in this collection are Open Access and the foreword by Southwell et al. is free to read.

Collection Editors
Paul Frazier, Sarah Mika, Neil Argent, Michael Peat, Sam Capon

Last Updated: 25 Oct 2024

Research into Chinese Wetlands

The 10th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference, held in Changshu, China, in September 2016, offered a platform to review and explore advances in research on wetland biodiversity, functions and ecosystem services and management. Hosted by the INTECOL Wetland Working Group, this international forum was an opportune time for Asian marine and freshwater researchers to present their research. This Collection contains a selection of nine articles published in Marine and Freshwater Research that showcase the range of research being undertaken within China.

Collection Editor
C. Max Finlayson

Last Updated: 12 Sep 2016

Shark and Ray Life History

Sharks and rays comprise an increasingly threatened group of aquatic predators. As the world’s shark and ray populations decline, improved conservation and management of these species is critical. Recognising that life history parameters form the basis for much of this research, we have compiled this ‘Shark and Ray Life History’ Collection of papers from Marine and Freshwater Research.

Last Updated: 13 Mar 2015

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