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National Science Week 2026
As part of National Science Week (15 to 23 August), NESP joined DCCEEW's What's in My Bag? Science in the Field event. The event gave young people an insight into the tools, techniques and field experiences that support environmental research.
Dr Holly Raudino from the Marine and Coastal Hub shared stories about her work studying the endangered Australian sea lion. She showed some of the tools she takes into the field. Holly explained how scientists count sea lion pups and use drones to track where sea lions live.
Holly's work is part of a NESP project with the:
- University of Adelaide
- South Australian Research and Development Institute
- WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Together, they are helping to support the recovery of this endangered species.
Holly's presentation was just one of many science stories featured during the event. Watch the What's in My Bag? Science in the Field recording. Discover the tools scientists use in the field and learn how their work helps better understand and protect Australia's environment and wildlife.
Interested in learning more? Explore the hub's Australian sea lion research and read on for the latest research highlights and discoveries from across the NESP hubs.
Hub highlights
Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub
Stormwater filters target plastic pollution hotspots
Every time it rains, plastic washes from roads, buildings and car parks into stormwater drains.
Most stormwater is not treated before flowing into creeks, rivers and the ocean.
Researchers from the Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub worked with Ocean Protect. This is an environmental engineering company. The hub studied plastic pollution captured by the company's gully pit inserts. These filters sit inside stormwater drains.
In 2025, the team sampled filters at sites across Sydney, including:
- industrial
- commercial
- residential.
They separated and analysed the captured material.
'Every time it rains, our stormwater drains carry more than just water,' said Dr Sanjith Udayakumar.
Dr Udayakumar worked with Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO and doctoral researchers Asiyeh Kheradmand and Sofia Payel. They identified the plastic particles.
The study found:
- Commercial sites had the highest amounts of large plastics and microplastics. These sites included loading docks, busy car parks, shopping centres and office areas.
- Industrial sites produced more large plastic items, which can break down into smaller pieces over time.
- Residential sites had less plastic. But they had a greater share of fine particles smaller than 500 micrometres.
The filters captured plastics and other debris before they entered the wider stormwater network.
Daniel Rider is a Water Sensitive Urban Design Specialist at Ocean Protect. He said, 'without the filters, pollution enters our waterways and ocean'.
The findings show commercial areas should be a priority for stormwater treatment. They can also help councils and businesses decide where to install and maintain filters.
Learn more about how the hub is mapping plastic pollution in urban stormwater.
Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub
Resilient Landscapes Hub
Putting Indigenous leadership at the centre of protected area research
Research in jointly managed protected areas works best when Indigenous people lead the way.
A new study supported by the Resilient Landscapes Hub shows how research can better support Traditional Owners, Country and park management.
As part of the hub's project on Kakadu's research needs, the study looked at research in Kakadu National Park from 2010 to 2024. It found that only a small share of studies included Bininj/Mungguy Traditional Owners as co-authors.
To help change this, Kakadu Traditional Owners and researchers worked together to develop the Kakadu Research Strategy 2025-2035.
The strategy is guided by Bininj/Mungguy leadership. It sets research priorities that support Country, culture and joint park management.
The hub's research also provides 10 recommendations for better partnerships. These include:
- following cultural protocols
- focusing on Indigenous priorities
- sharing decisions
- recognising Indigenous knowledge and work.
The work gives researchers and park managers a clearer way to work together. It shows how better partnerships can lead to better outcomes for Country.
Marine and Coastal Hub
Exposure of pygmy blue whales to existing threats is low, but knowledge gaps remain
Pygmy blue whales migrate between Indonesia, Australia and the Subtropical Convergence Zone. A Marine and Coastal Hub project mapped their known distribution in Australian waters. There is still much more to learn about where these whales go and the threats they face.
Researchers from the Australian Institute of Marine Science led the mapping. They collated data about known pygmy blue whale feeding and migration areas. In November to May the whales visit upwellings in the Great Australian Bight. They also feed in Perth Canyon off Western Australia. The project also estimated threats from human activities. Estimated threat levels were low in the mapped areas.
The maps help to show how proposed activities may affect pygmy blue whale populations. Government and industry can use them in planning, regulation and management. Information is still lacking across parts of the whales' range. Decision-makers should therefore be cautious when interpreting the findings.
Bass Strait and Gippsland are priority areas for data collection to further assess threats associated with offshore renewable energy development.
Australia has 2 sub-species of blue whale: the pygmy blue whale and the Antarctic blue whale. The blue whale is an endangered species in Australia.
