Australia’s marine environment is teeming with an astonishing diversity of molluscs, from colourful reef-dwelling nudibranchs to the giant Australian cuttlefish and the iconic Common Sydney Octopus.
This biodiverse group, consisting of thousands of species, populates a broad range of habitats, including the Great Barrier Reef, coastal rock pools, and the deep ocean floors. These molluscs play essential roles in Australia’s marine ecosystems, whether as primary consumers that keep algal populations in check, or as a crucial part of the food web. They are also integral to Australia’s cultural and economic fabric, contributing significantly to the seafood industry, and being central to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coastal and islander communities’ heritage and ongoing cultural practices.
As such, the protection and conservation of Australia’s molluscs are pivotal to the health and richness of its marine biodiversity.
