Marine Stressors
Many environmental factors can impact the health of our marine ecosystems. We call these factors marine stressors. Marine stressors include things like marine heatwaves and harmful algal blooms.
Marine stressor events can significantly impact industries and communities that rely on our marine environment. Learning what to look out for and how to prepare is something we can all do to help manage and mitigate impacts. Impacts can include fish kills, disease outbreaks and risks to seafood safety.
Learn more about specific marine stressor events:
Preparing for Marine Stressor Events
The Tasmanian Government's Marine Heatwaves and Related Events Response Plan (the Plan) outlines how the Government, community and industry can manage marine stressors and their impacts.
You can help reduce the impact of marine heatwaves and marine stressor events:
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Report unusual observations in the marine environment through our online form.
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Prepare for potential marine stressors that might impact you or your industry by reading the Plan.
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Stay up-to-date on current and forecast marine stressor events so you can plan ahead.
- Keep an eye on this website
- Follow Fisheries Tasmania on Facebook and Instagram
Marine Heatwaves and Related Events Response Plan
The Plan aims to guide Government decision making and coordination during an event. It brings together current knowledge of marine heatwaves and related events in Tasmania.
It also outlines current and future steps for Tasmania's Government, industries and community to prepare for, and respond to, marine heatwaves and related events. This includes:
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| Detection
| Forecasting and classifying marine heatwaves and events.
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| Risk Assessment
| Understanding and categorising risks to Tasmania's industries, communities and marine ecosystems.
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| Monitoring and Response
| Steps to prepare for marine heatwaves, and how to monitor and report marine heatwaves when they happen.
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| Critical Event Preparation, Response Coordination and Communication
| Responsibilities and tasks for communicating marine heatwaves and events to different groups in Tasmania.
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5
| Evaluation and Preparedness
| Identifying areas to strengthen our future responses to marine heatwaves and marine events.
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| Emergency Response
| Steps to take when marine heatwaves or events cause public health incidents or unusual mortality events in marine life.
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The Plan will be a living document that will be updated as needed, read more at:
Tasmanian Marine Heatwave and Related Event Response Plan (PDF 1Mb)
Seafood Safety During Marine Stressor Events
Commercial seafood
Commercially harvested seafood is managed under strict controls to minimise safety risks. Seafood sold in shops and restaurants is safe to eat.
Recreationally caught seafood
Some marine stressor events can make recreationally caught seafood unsafe to eat. The Department of Health issues public health warnings when recreationally caught seafood from an area is unsafe to eat.
To view current public health warnings, visit
Wild shellfish health alerts | Tasmanian Department of Health.
For general seafood safety advice, visit
Eating Seafood Safely | Fishing Tasmania.
marine heatwave is when the ocean is unusually hot to a significant depth for a number of days, weeks, months or even years.