Gillanders' discovery was published in the scientific journal Marine Environmental Research[2] and prompted environmental activists to call for the relocation of the project's proposed seawater desalination plant at Point Lowly, due to its proximity to the only mass breeding area for the animals' genetically distinct population.

[4] After completing her PhD in Sydney, Australia, Gillanders worked at New South Wales Fisheries on yellowtail kingfish age, growth and reproductive biology.

The initiative is led by the University of Adelaide's Environment Institute, in partnership with a number of industrial interests and government agencies.

[6] Gillanders' research work within the initiative includes further studies of giant Australian cuttlefish and of shipping activity within Spencer Gulf.

The latter work is a response to concerns about the translocation of exotic species into gulf waters which support lucrative wild-catch fishery and sea cage aquaculture industries.