Six months after the initial crayweed planting at South Maroubra, Operation Crayweed’s restoration efforts are showing promising signs of success. In May 2024, the team installed 30 temporary mats on a shallow reef to support crayweed transplantation. By the end of winter 2024, over 200 adult crayweed individuals were transplanted to these mats, with the help of Investa volunteers who assisted in preparation and documentation.
A survey conducted in February 2025 revealed that natural recruitment had exceeded expectations while none of the transplanted adults had survived—likely due to strong swells and high herbivory. Over 1,500 young crayweed recruits, or “craybies,” were recorded, with an average height of ~4 cm. These recruits extended over 10 meters beyond the original mats, demonstrating successful dispersal and establishment.
To enhance the survival of these recruits, a top-up planting was conducted in March 2025. This additional effort aims to restore a protective canopy and reduce the impact of herbivores on the developing crayweed forest. Despite the loss of the adult plants, the strong recruitment signals encourage progress in re-establishing this essential habitat.
Community engagement has been a cornerstone of this project. Investa volunteers played a crucial role in the transplantation process, from assessing donor plants to preparing them for their new environment. Additionally, social media outreach has helped raise awareness about the importance of crayweed restoration.
Operation Crayweed remains committed to monitoring and maintaining the site to ensure long-term success. The high recruitment numbers observed at South Maroubra highlight the resilience of crayweed and reinforce the importance of continued restoration efforts along Sydney’s coastline.
Thanks for the Investa and The Ian Potter Foundation support for our work.