White Rock

A Hidden Crisis Gripping Australia’s Underwater Forests

White Rock is a 45-minute documentary exposing a hidden impact of the climate crisis - the explosion of longspined sea urchins devastating Australia's kelp forests. Through stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, White Rock exposes the threat and presents tangible solutions to save Australia’s kelp forests before it's too late.

The film takes viewers to the front line of these efforts, introducing commercial divers who are actively harvesting urchins. It follows the journey of restoration, contrasting the barren seascapes and the remarkable recovery of reefs - a testament to how human intervention can reverse environmental devastation.

Synopsis

collaborative sollutions

Warming oceans have enabled urchins to wreak havoc across 2,000 km of Australia's coastline - an area as big as the Great Barrier Reef.

In response, an unlikely team has formed between fishers, Traditional Owners, investors, environmentalists and scientists, to tackle the problem head-on.

White Rock highlights their innovative efforts, from urchin harvesting and creating new industries to promoting urchins as a high-end culinary delicacy. These pioneering, nature-positive solutions are helping restore ecosystems and address a crisis that threatens marine environments in Australia and across the globe.

“SOMETHING DRASTIC NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW”

Gavin Hayes

Abalone Diver, Mallacoota, VIC

Restoring balance

White Rock maps a pathway for change toward ecological sustainability and the return of Australian kelp forests.

The film presents a comprehensive strategy to address the urchin crisis through in-water urchin control, habitat rehabilitation, and support for emerging urchin industries. Traditional Owner insights, alongside contributions from leading scientists and firsthand accounts from fishers, deepen the narrative.

By showcasing the power of collaboration between industries and research sectors, White Rock provides a template for tackling climate-driven impacts in our oceans. It highlights how innovative environmental stewardship can restore marine ecosystems and promote sustainable practices for future generations.

Image: Gergo Rugli 

Key Voices

  • Damon Gameau

    Damon Gameau is renowned for his impactful documentaries that blend storytelling with actionable solutions. His notable works include "That Sugar Film" and "2040," both of which have achieved significant critical and commercial success. "2040," in particular, showcases Gameau’s visionary approach to addressing climate change by focusing on existing solutions and mobilising communities for collective action​.

  • Wally Stewart

    Uncle Wally Stewart is a Walbunja Elder from the Yuin nation on the far south coast of NSW. Wally is heavily invested in advocating for and supporting his community and is a strong advocate for Aboriginal cultural fishing.  His mob’s Sea Country – from Wollongong all the way down to Eden – have been destroyed by urchins.

  • Athena Ko

    Athena Ko is the visionary CEO of The Roe Australia, a renowned establishment celebrated for its innovative use of fresh sea urchin as the core ingredient in its dishes. Under Athena's leadership, The Roe has carved out a distinctive and successful niche in Melbourne’s vibrant culinary scene, offering guests a unique dining experience that combines exquisite flavours with a deep respect for the marine environment.

  • Professor Maria Byrne

    Professor Maria Byrne is a leading marine biologist at the University of Sydney, renowned for her extensive research on sea urchins and marine invertebrate biology. Her work focuses on the developmental biology and ecology of echinoderms, contributing significantly to our understanding of their roles in marine ecosystems.

  • Dr. Scott Bennett

    Dr. Scott Bennett is a co-founder of the Great Southern Reef Foundation and a senior marine ecologist at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). Scott has dedicated his career to studying and preserving the temperate reef ecosystems of Australia and around the world. His research primarily focuses on the resilience of kelp forests to climate change.

  • Dr. John Keane

    Dr John Keane is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. John has 15 years of fisheries research experience, primarily focusing on urchins. He has been instrumental in bringing a National focus to addressing the Centro problem and has championed a range of applied solutions.

  • Mikoto Shimzu

    Mikoto Shimizu is the representative of Akita Sanriku Factory in Australia, a subsidiary of a renowned Japanese sea urchin processor, distributor, and exporter. With a deep-rooted connection to sea urchins since childhood, Makoto brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role, focusing on expanding the global market for high-quality sea urchin products.

  • Dave Allen

    Dave Allen pioneered urchin processing under the banner of Seafoods Tasmania almost a decade ago on Tasmania’s North-East. With years of experience in the industry, Dave has honed his skills in ensuring high-quality produce while adhering to environmentally responsible practices. His dedication to sustainable fisheries contributes significantly to the local economy and the preservation of marine ecosystems.

  • Shane Blackwell

    Shane Blackwell is a dedicated sea urchin diver based in Tasmania. With a background in Navy clearance and offshore diving, Shane transitioned to commercial diving closer to home to spend more time with his family. Over the past five to six years, he has immersed himself in the sea urchin industry, navigating its significant challenges and opportunities.

  • Gavin Hayes

    Gavin Hayes is a second generation abalone diver in Mallacoota, Victoria. With over 13 years of experience in the industry, Gavin has witnessed the dramatic changes in local marine habitats, particularly due to the overgrazing of sea urchins. As a key advocate for sustainable fishing practices, he has been actively involved in the urchin culling program since its inception in 2011.

  • Jayde Thoedore

    Jayde Theodore is an experienced abalone and sea urchin diver based on the south coast of New South Wales. With 24 years of abalone diving under his belt, Jayde has recently expanded his focus to include sea urchin harvesting due to the declining abalone quotas caused by the overgrazing of sea urchins on vital marine habitats.

“this feels like a huge opportunity for australia”

Damon Gameau

Guest Narrator of White Rock

Investment & partnerships

Directed by Stefan Andrews, White Rock was filmed over the winter of 2024 and is currently in late stages of post-production. This initiative supports the Great Southern Reef Foundation’s mission to enhance the reef's public profile and ensure its prosperity for future generations.

With our impact partners, we aim to tour the film through affected regions along Australia’s east coast, driving both awareness and political pressure to address the crisis.

We are actively seeking partners to join us in maximising the film’s reach through a high-impact media campaign and the creation of an educational toolkit for schools. If you're interested in hosting a film screening or facilitating a way to bring this film to your audience, then please get in touch.

For partnership opportunities please contact us at info@greatsouthernreef.com.

Stefan Andrews

DIrector

Dr. Scott Bennett

Producer

damon gameau

narrator

Minderoo Pictures

The Ian Potter Foundation

The Nature Conservancy

The Jock Clough Marine Foundation

Funding partners