The Minns Labor Government has teamed up with the University of New South Wales to turbocharge a celebrated Australian restoration project that is bringing crayweed back to Sydney's coastline.
The NSW Government is supporting UNSW's "Operation Crayweed" by licensing more than 20 Crown land marine sites for restoration, stretching from Whale Beach to Little Bay.
Crayweed (Phyllospora comosa) once formed vast underwater forests along Sydney's coast before it disappeared in the 1980s, likely due to pollution. Its loss stripped local waters of a critical foundation species that provides habitat, nursery grounds and vital nutrient absorption for coastal ecosystems, supporting everything from abalone and rock lobsters to carbon capture.
Now scientists from UNSW and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science are restoring a thriving crayweed forest across two hectares of Crown land around Wylie's Baths at Coogee, transplanting healthy, fertile crayweed to boost biodiversity and rebuild a self‑sustaining ecosystem.
In an Australian first, UNSW is now inviting the public to help name the newly restored crayweed forest at Coogee. Three shortlisted names - Yanggaa Forest, Dhanj Forest and Coogee Kelp Forest - were chosen by community members including swimmers, surfers, divers, students, academics, Randwick Council as well as Aboriginal community members from the Gamay Rangers.
The name "Coogee" is believed to derive from a Dharawal word referring to the smell of seaweed on the beach. Yanggaa and Dhanj are Dharawal words meaning "lobster" and "fish" respectively. All three names reflect the kelp forest's essential role in forming sustainable habitats for marine species.
Australians can now vote for their favourite name, with results to be revealed on April 23.
Operation Crayweed works by taking fertile plants from strong populations and fixing them onto barren reefs using biodegradable mats. Once settled they reproduce and create "craybies", young plants that regenerate underwater forests naturally.
Restoration sites now span Maroubra, Wedding Cake Island, Dee Why and other key coastal locations, with some areas already experiencing crayweed booms. The project's success is fuelled not only by scientists but also by volunteers, local community members and partner organisations.
Although crayweed remains abundant in northern and southern NSW, it disappeared from 70 km of Sydney coastline and never recovered naturally, even after deep‑ocean outfall pipes dramatically improved water quality in the 1990s.
Vote now at www.forestswithoutnames.com
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
"Efforts like the naming of this underwater kelp forest near Wylie's Baths help highlight the utmost importance of healthy marine ecosystems to the iconic beaches and wildlife Australia is famous for."
"The Minns Labor Government is thrilled to support Operation Crayweed and the regeneration of seaweed forests by licensing Crown land sites for these incredible initiatives."
"Programs like Operation Crayweed build better communities by bringing experts, volunteers and locals together to make a real, tangible difference to our much loved marine environment."
UNSW Professor in Marine Ecology and Operation Crayweed co-founder Adriana Verges said:
"This kelp forest is teeming with life just beneath the surface, supporting iconic species like blue groper and giant cuttlefish, while also capturing carbon and recycling nutrients."
"By naming it, we hope to connect people with this thriving ecosystem and inspire its protection and restoration."
