Operation Crayweed - Jack

At SISUU, our love for the ocean runs deep. That’s why we proudly donate 5% of our profits to Operation Crayweed, a project dedicated to restoring the underwater crayweed forests along Sydney’s coastline. These vibrant marine forests are vital for healthy ecosystems, and we’re stoked to play a small part in bringing them back to life.

Recently, we sat down with Jack Vitnell, the project coordinator at Operation Crayweed, to chat about the incredible work their team is doing. From his early days managing aquariums to leading innovative restoration projects, Jack shared what drives him, the challenges of restoring our oceans, and why this work matters now more than ever.

What is Operation Crayweed all about and your north star? 

Operation Crayweed is a marine restoration project focused on bringing back Sydney’s lost underwater forests. Our mission is to return this species to where it belongs and, in doing so, rebuild the rich marine ecosystems that depend on it. Humans were the cause of this decline and we can also be the ones to bring it back to our local reefs.

Our north star is to restore what has been lost and protect what remains. For us, that means rebuilding a corridor of healthy reefs along the Sydney coastline so crayweed can reconnect and thrive once again. By linking these patches, we are helping to bring life back to the reef, not just for the seaweed but for everything that depends on it. By studying this species further, we are able to better understand how to preserve it and others in a changing climate. 

Why did you choose this environmental cause over others?

What drew me in was the mix of science, community and real impact, all happening at a local scale. The team has been running since 2011 and were one of the first that I knew of to create a "brand" around their project. I think its success speaks to the driving force behind the project and the receptiveness of the community to it.  I see the world focusing more attention towards kelps once they realise their importance for the health of our oceans and beyond. To sum it up, Operation Crayweed is a rare example of hope in marine conservation, and I want to help and learn from this successful project.

What would happen if there was no seaweed along our coastline?

Seaweeds like crayweed are the forests of the sea. They provide shelter, food and oxygen for marine life. Without them, fish, octopus, crayfish, abalone and  many others lose their homes and the food chains they rely on. It would be like clearing all the eucalypts from our bushland areas. There would be huge ecological changes, and we have seen that on our local reefs here in Sydney. Many of the areas we are looking to restore are either heavily turfed or completely barren. You can only picture what the reefs would have looked like all those years ago.

 The issue (which is getting better) is out of sight, out of mind. The fact that crayweed was missing from Sydney for decades before anyone noticed puts things into perspective. Operation Crayweed is about paying attention to what has been lost and doing what we can to bring it back.

Where do you see the future of seaweed?

I think seaweed has a big future, and not just in the ocean. It is already popping up in food, farming, packaging, even medicine and fashion who knows maybe in a tonic? But for all that to work long-term, we need to look after the wild stuff too.

We cannot just farm seaweed and forget about the natural forests. Our reefs are full of life and play a huge role in keeping the ocean healthy. If we get it right, seaweed could be one of the best tools we have to help fix the planet both on land and in the sea.

Which site has been most successful and do you have a personal favourite?

Malabar has been the most successful site and it is pretty amazing to swim through a forest that wouldn't otherwise be there if not for the restoration over 10 years ago. I am also biased toward the Northern beaches, Freshwater is a great site, just off the pool, it is doing really well. I am also super hopeful of Newport Reef, that place has a soft spot in my heart.

What’s the most fulfilling part of your role?

 Definitely seeing craybies or the little baby crayweeds at a site for the first time. I would think this is the same for everyone in the team. They are formed from separate male and female parents and when they are tiny, they look just like little versions of their parents, in a little love-heart kinda shape and they grow into this little thing that looks like it's waving back at you. When we see them at a site for the first time, you know it's been years since the last time there were any little ones here.  

What’s something surprising about seaweed that makes you smile or appreciate it more?

People often think of seaweed as simple, or boring but seaweeds have been evolving for millions of years into all the different shapes, sizes and colours we see today. Some grow like trees, some are tiny others can grow to 60m. It's almost like trying to advocate for trees, there are so many, all with their own cool features. I also like how every part of seaweed photosynthesises from the stipe (like the trunk) and the fronds (like the leaves). 

What makes you feel most alive in this work? 

In my spare time, I have always loved planning adventures, whether in the mountains or out at sea. Being able to take those experiences and channel them into something purposeful fills that same space for me. Switching out climbing bolts to underwater crayweed bolts and planning sailing adventures to offshore boating days, I think it is rare to find a job that lines up so closely with the way you like to move through the world.

How can people support or volunteer?

 Operation Crayweed has always been a collaborative effort. Over the years we have run community events with teachers, artists, divers and local groups all helping to bring the reefs back to life.

Looking ahead, we are hoping to get even more people involved, whether it is through workshops, creative projects citizen science efforts to monitor some of the sites that have been restored. Much of the work we do is labour-intensive, and requires a reasonable amount of training, which can get expensive. Donations and philanthropic support are what we rely on and the support from Sissu has been so awesome throughout the years, contributing to the restoration of crayweed in Sydney. It is nice to see companies with an ethos like yours. 

Who inspires you — in work or life?

There are always distant figures to admire, but I am most inspired by the people closest to me, many of whom are quietly pursuing happiness or meaning without needing recognition, these core icons are the ones that continue to inspire me. Watching how they balance the chaos of life while still finding space to do something they care about helps give me perspective and purpose.

What morning ritual keeps you strong and feeling alive? 

I am not much of a ritual guy. I try to tune in to how nature and I are feeling that day, which helps shape how we seize that day. During winter, when the ocean is flat, the team can go out and transplant crayweed, which are usually very long days. Can then use this time for rest, or if the ocean is too big for diving, enjoy the waves that are on offer. The closest thing to a ritual would be a game of chess a day to check in with how the mind is feeling, it is a good test to see how my brain is functioning.

If you could leave a bulletin board with one quote, what would you choose?

The sea is calm until it isn't. Be ready anyway

Learn more about Operation Crayweed