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Operation Crayweed: The Revival of Sydney’s Underwater Forests

Crayweed might not be well known, but its impact is profound. Much like forests on land, these underwater habitats support hundreds of marine species, stabilise coastal environments and absorb carbon from the atmosphere. Without them, marine biodiversity suffers and so does the broader health of our ocean.

Once abundant along Sydney’s coastline, the native seaweed Phyllospora comosa disappeared in the 1980s due to pollution. For decades, the underwater landscape has remained bare where vibrant forests once flourished. This loss isn’t just ecological. It’s deeply felt by anyone who fishes, dives or enjoys seafood. Without seaweed forests, the species they shelter—such as crayfish, abalone, and countless others—vanish too.

"This loss isn’t just ecological. It’s deeply felt by anyone who fishes, dives or enjoys seafood."

Operation Crayweed is working to bring these forests back. Led by Professor Adriana Vergés and a team of marine scientists, it’s a hands-on effort to replant lost crayweed by hand, with the goal of restoring 70 kilometres of Sydney’s coastline.

In September, the SARAH & SEBASTIAN team joined Operation Crayweed at Wylies Baths in Coogee to help restore this vital ecosystem. Working alongside the team on site, we helped prepare live crayweed to be planted in the shallows, replanting over 100 crayweeds across the day.

As a brand deeply connected to the ocean, we feel a responsibility to help protect its future. Kelp forests are intrinsic to the Great Southern Reef that lies at our doorstep and have long inspired our work, not only for their beauty but for their role in sustaining marine life. Seeing these ecosystems under threat only deepens our commitment.