Marine Stressors

​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, harmful algal blooms, marine disease events and mass mortality events. ​

Marine stressor events can significantly impact industries and communities that rely on our marine environment. Impacts can include disruption to seafood and tourism operations, seafood safety risks, fish mortality events and impacts to the ecosystem.​​

Learning what to look out for and how to prepare is something we can all do to help manage and mitigate impacts.​

Preparing for marine stressor events

The Tasmanian Government's marine stressors program is a coordinated framework for anticipating, preparing for and responding to marine stressor events.

The program is supported by the Marine Stressors Policy and Marine Stressors Response Plan.

 Marine Stressors Policy (PDF 176Kb)

 Marine Stressors Response Plan (PDF 401Kb)

The Response Plan replaces the Marine Heatwave and Related Events Response Plan 2025.

How you can help

You can help reduce the impact of marine heatwaves and marine stressor events:

• Report unusual observations in the marine environment through our online form​.
• Prepare for potential marine stressors that might impact you or your industry by reading the Response Plan.
• 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
  

​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.​​