- 22 video clips featuring unique marine life of the Kimberley
- Videos are a day-by-day account of scientists working in the field
- Eight-year project has so far discovered 79 new species and genera
A series of behind-the-scenes video clips revealing what lies and lives off the remote Kimberley coastline will be released via the Western Australian Museum website today.
The Tides and Islands: The Kimberley series was recorded over 18 days in October 2012. It follows 15 researchers from the WA Museum, Queensland Museum, Museum Victoria, the Herbarium of WA and Curtin University as they survey the marine life off the Kimberley coast.
The joint project between the Western Australian Museum and Woodside Energy has been running since 2008, documenting the water quality, distribution and genetics of the Kimberley’s unique marine flora and fauna.
WA Museum senior project officer Clay Bryce said the research was vital in gaining a greater understanding of Australia’s oceans.
“The videos give people an idea of the work typically undertaken during a research survey - from life aboard a research vessel, to diving remote locations, unexpected encounters with local wildlife, and exploring tidally-driven reef platforms,” Mr Bryce said.
“During the trip, close to 1000 species were documented, including two rare species of soft coral never before recorded in Australia, three new species of barnacle and crab, and the presence of marine sponges used in the fight against cancer,” Mr Bryce said.
The research also included work on worms, crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, fishes and marine plants. Investigations were also carried out to gauge water quality from White Island to Jameson Reef, and out to the mid-continental shelf sites at Browse Island, Echuca and Heywood Shoals.
Since 2009, researchers have studied 121 locations in the Kimberley, amounting to an impressive 2,700 research hours on the reef.
It is the most extensive marine biodiversity survey of this region. In 2011 The WA Museum’s biodiversity surveys of the Dampier and Kimberley were recognised with the Western Australian Premier’s Award for Excellence.
The WA Museum’s Tides and Islands: The Kimberley videos can be viewed at museum.wa.gov.au/kimberley/videos
Media contact:
Niki Comparti, Western Australian Museum, 6552 7805, niki.comparti@museum.wa.gov.au
