|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
SEABED SAFARI REACHES 1000th SITE10 February 2005 The Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Project passes a milestone tomorrow, when the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) research vessel RV Lady Basten returns from her fifth voyage of discovery to map seabed life in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Seven scientists from AIMS, CRC Reef Research Centre, CSIRO and Queensland Museum, along with seven ship’s crew, have spent the last month surveying more than 200 sites between Lizard Island and Torres Strait, passing the landmark 1000th site surveyed by the Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Project in the last 18 months. “We have now surveyed 1000 sites between Cape York and Gladstone,” said the Project Leader Dr Roland Pitcher from CSIRO Marine. “We plan one more voyage at the end of this year to the far south of the Reef, to complete the mapping of seafloor life and habitats up to 100 metres deep throughout the Marine Park.” The team used two types of video sampling to build up a picture of life on the seabed. A half-million dollar remote controlled video camera was towed over the seabed to record the bottom type and visible life. Scientists also used Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) to attract and count large fish not seen by the towed video.
In some areas, the team pulled a small sled along the seafloor to collect samples of seabed plants and animals. “This method identifies many more species than can be seen with the cameras, especially small and camouflaged animals,” said Mr Chris Bartlett from the Queensland Museum. “This trip has uncovered an unusual crab which had never before been recorded in Australian waters. Once we get back to shore, specialists will be able to make detailed examinations of what we have collected, and we expect to find many more new species.” Information gathered by the Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Project will be analysed meticulously over the next two years, and used to create maps of seabed habitats, plants and animals. “This information will be used to assist future planning in the Marine Park, including management for sustainable fisheries,” said AIMS scientist and CRC Reef Program Leader Dr Peter Doherty. The Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Project is funded by CRC Reef, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, and the National Oceans Office. It is co-funded by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, CSIRO, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, and the Queensland Museum. Vision opportunity: RV Lady Basten will be at AIMS, Cape Ferguson (40km south of Townsville) on Friday 11 February. The team will be available for interview between 10.00 and 10.30am. For more information: Or visit http://www.reef.crc.org.au/resprogram/programC/Seabed.htm
|
