Australia

Marine Biology in Australia.... Pronounced as: ôstralya, smallest continent, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. With the island state of Tasmania to the south, the continent makes up the Commonwealth of Australia, a federal parliamentary state.

Australia's oceans hold 4,000 fish types of 22,000 known worldwide. They are home to the largest area of coral reefs and 30 of the world's 58 seagrass species. With so much at stake, Australia's oceans need to be managed.

Australia is very active in Marine Biology education and conservation. Australia has some of the most diverse oceans in the world and this page tries to give you detailed information about a large number of those locations and the institutions that try and protect them. Australian waters consist of such amazing locations as the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Ningaloo Reef with its whale shark migration in northwestern Australia, the giant kelp forests in the cold waters of Tasmania and the Great White Sharks and Leafy Sea dragons of Southern Australia.

Marine Biology Institutions and Conservation Organizations


The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) was established by the Commonwealth government in 1972 to generate the knowledge needed for the sustainable use and protection of the marine environment through innovative, world-class scientific and technological research. http://www.aims.gov.au/

The Australian Museum has an international reputation in the fields of natural history and indigenous studies research, community programs and exhibitions. The Museum was established in 1827 and is Australia's first museum, with unique and extensive collections of natural science and cultural artefacts. http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/

The AMCS (Formerly the Australian Littoral Society) is one of the leading conservation organisations in Australia, and is the only national group devoted solely to protecting the marine environment. It is a non-profit, non-government organisation that has a unique role in promoting the study and conservation of all aquatic life. The Society operates not through ownership of land or marine sites, but by promoting marine and aquatic conservation to the general public, user groups and decision-makers on the basis of soundly researched argument and scientific fact. http://www.amcs.org.au/

Marine Education Society of Australasia
MESA offers membership to anyone interested in or actively involved in education - in, about, or for the sea. More generally MESA aims to bring together those interested in the study and enjoyment of coastal and marine environments. Among our membership are people such as teachers, commercial marine operators, government department representatives, academics, surf riders, museum staff, aquarists, youth leaders, park rangers, fishers, marine scientists, environmental interpreters and the general public. http://www.mesa.edu.au/

Australian Society for Fish Biology
The Australian Society For Fish Biology was founded in 1971 with the intention of promoting fish studies and the interchange of information between fish biologists in a relaxed but effective manner. Annual Conferences have been held once every year since the Society's inception. They are now the highlight of the Society's calendar, providing a forum for members around Australia to meet and discuss their work. Since the first conference conducted by the Society in its own right, at Port Stephens in 1975, succeeding conferences have continued to be conducted most successfully, and in a relatively informal atmosphere despite consistent growth in both attendances and programs. http://www.asfb.org.au/

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is the lead agency for Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area issues. The Authority is the principal adviser to the Commonwealth Government on the care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The goal of the GBRMPA is to provide for the protection, wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef in perpetuity through the care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/

Reef Education Center
Reef HQ is the largest living coral reef aquarium in the world. Reef HQ is a miniature version of the Great Barrier Reef and is the Reef Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Reef HQ was originally known as the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium. http://www.reefhq.com.au/

New South Wales Fisheries
NSW Fisheries is the State's principal aquatic resource conservation agency. They are responsible for conserving and managing fisheries resources, protecting fish habitats, promoting viable commercial fishing and aquaculture industries and promoting quality recreational fishing opportunities. To achieve these objectives, we perform research, educate the public and ensure compliance. http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/

Unique Marine Biology Areas in Australia

The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established in 1975, and it is the world largest marine protected area in the world. It is approximately 348,700 square kilometres in area and approximately 2,300 kilometres long, running from just north of Bundaberg to the tip of the Cape York Peninsula. The reef contains over 2,900 reefs which includes 760 fringing reefs, and 300 coral cays. There are also 618 continental islands, which were once part of the mainland. As the world's largest coral reef ecosystem the Great Barrier Reef is home to approximately: 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of corals, 4,000 species of molluscs, 500 species of seaweed, 215 species of birds, 16 species of sea snake and 6 species of sea turtle and some of the largest populations of dugong in the world.

Ningaloo Reef
The Ningaloo Reef is unique and one of the last healthy coral reef systems in the world. It sits half way up the West Australian coastline about 1100km north of Perth. The values of Ningaloo are profound. The area qualifies for World Heritage Listing, although this has not yet happened. The relative health of the area is primarily due to its isolation, but not for very much longer.

Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island is a 12,800ha subantarctic island 1500 km south-east of Australia. It is the only known locality in the world where part of the Earth's crust (lithosphere) from a major ocean basin is exposed above sea-level. It is also a magnificent habitat for wildlife such as elephant seals, penguins and other sea-birds such as albatrosses. Macquarie Island's global significance is largely geological:

It is the only known locality in the world where oceanic lithosphere formed at a normal mid-ocean spreading ridge environment is being exposed above sea-level within a major ocean basin. It provides a unique example of ocean crust uplifted as a result of transpression at a strike-slip plate boundary in an oceanic setting. The exposed rock sequence provides a uniquely complete section through the earth's oceanic crust to upper mantle rocks. The geological evolution of Macquarie Island began 10 million years ago and continues today with the island experiencing earthquakes and a rapid rate of uplift, all of which are related to active geological processes along the boundary between two plates. The island is unique in that its present geomorphology shows features of the marine erosion (raised beaches and benches) that have progressively affected its whole surface during uplift. This unique feature complements, and is a consequence of, its unique geological attribute of being uplifted sea-floor. It, therefore, has outstanding universal value in that it provides a unique opportunity to study, in detail, geological features and processes of oceanic crust formation and plate boundary dynamics above sea-level. The World Heritage values of the area are enhanced by huge congregations of wildlife, including penguins and seals. Macquarie Island is a rich haven for a range of subantarctic wildlife, specifically as a breeding site (being the only small speck of land in a large area of ocean). The major threats to this wildlife come largely from remote impacts, for example long-line fishing on albatrosses, and over-fishing and poaching in surrounding fisheries.

The Wilderness Society (National Campaign)
http://www.wilderness.org.au

Unique Creatures of the Region

Leafy Sea Dragon

Resembling a piece of drifting seaweed, and floating motionless in the water, the Leafy seadragon is a spectacular creature. Named after the dragons of Chinese myth, these rare bony fish, found only in Southern and Western Australian waters intrigue visitors in only a few aquariums throughout the world. Leafy seadragons are found in calm water that is approximately 50-54°F. Australians refer to them as the "Australian seahorse." Seadragons are difficult to locate because of their remarkable camouflage and secluded breeding areas in the seaweed-filled waters. The Leafy Sea Dragon, with green, orange and gold hues along its body, is covered in leaf-like appendages. Only the fluttering of tiny fins or the moving of one of its independently swiveling eyes reveals its presence. Like the seahorse, the male Sea Dragon carries as many as 150-200 eggs. After being deposited by the female, the eggs are carried in the honeycomb-shaped area (known as the brood patch), under the male's tail for approximately eight weeks. Leafy Sea Dragons are sometimes found dead on the beach, washed up in a clump of seaweed after a storm. Their flotation bladders are very fragile and cannot cope with any sudden changes in water pressure or depth, such as might occur during bad weather. Underwater World at Hillarys, Perth (Western Australia) is one of only three aquaria in the world to have legally and successfully kept leafy Sea Dragons on display. Any specimens illegally caught by amateurs usually die quickly because of their captor's inability to provide them with the correct live food daily.

Marine Biology Educational Programs

School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture
James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
James Cook University is unique in Australasia as the only tertiary institution with a discipline dedicated to specialised training in marine biology. This reflects its location in North Australia which provides access to a variety of tropical marine environments and a planning process that identifies marine science as a strategic growth area. Marine Biology is a discipline within the School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture and enjoys a close working relationship with other disciplines within the Biological Sciences Group. http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/mbiolaq/

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Marine Biology News   :: ScienceDaily

Lessons in coral reef survival from deep time

Lessons from tens of millions of years ago are pointing to new ways to save and protect today's coral reefs and their myriad of beautiful and many-hued fishes at a time of huge change in the Earth's systems. Today's complex relationship between fishes and corals developed relatively recently in geological terms -- and is a major factor in shielding reef species from extinction, say experts.

Carbon dioxide is 'driving fish crazy'

Rising human carbon dioxide emissions may be affecting the brains and central nervous system of sea fishes with serious consequences for their survival, an international scientific team has found. Carbon dioxide concentrations predicted to occur in the ocean by the end of this century will interfere with fishes' ability to hear, smell, turn and evade predators, says a professor.

Multiple partners not the only way for corals to stay cool

For the first time scientists have shown that corals hosting a single type of zooxanthellae can have different levels of thermal tolerance -– a feature that was only known previously for corals with a mix of zooxanthellae. This finding is important because many species of coral are dominated by a single type of zooxanthellae.

Inventory lists 19,232 newly discovered species during latest count

More than half of the 19,232 species newly known to science in 2009, the most recent calendar year of compilation, were insects -- 9,738 or 50.6 percent -- according to the 2011 State of Observed Species.

Breakthrough model reveals evolution of ancient nervous systems through seashell colors

Determining the evolution of pigmentation patterns on mollusk seashells -- which could aid in the understanding of ancient nervous systems -- has proved to be a challenging feat for researchers. Now, however, through mathematical equations and simulations, researchers have used 19 different species of the predatory sea snail Conus to generate a model of the pigmentation patterns of mollusk shells.

Wandering albatross alters its foraging due to climate change

Wandering albatrosses have altered their foraging due to changes in wind fields in the southern hemisphere during the last decades. Since winds have increased in intensity and moved to the south, the flight speed of albatrosses increased and they spend less time foraging. As a consequence, breeding success has improved and birds have gained 1 kilogram.

Can we save the whales by putting a price on them?

Every year, anti-whaling groups spend millions of dollars on activities intended to end commercial whaling. And every year, commercial whaling not only continues, but grows. While protests, education, lobbying and dangerous confrontations on the high seas have saved some whales, the whaling industry shows no sign of shutting down -- or slowing down. Now, an economist and two marine scientists suggest a new strategy that they believe could save whales by putting a price on them.

Fish offspring grow best at same temperature as parents

Fish parents can pre-condition their offspring to grow fastest at the temperature they experienced, according to new research.

World's most extreme deep-sea vents revealed: Deeper than any seen before, and teeming with new creatures

Scientists have revealed details of the world's most extreme deep-sea volcanic vents, five kilometers down in a rift in the Caribbean seafloor. The undersea hot springs, which lie 0.8 kilometers deeper than any seen before, may be hotter than 450 °C and are shooting a jet of mineral-laden water more than a kilometer into the ocean above.

Bycatch-22: Protecting Butterfish

Scientists work to assist fishermen in ways to avoid accidentally hauling in butterfish, a species protected by fishing limits. The researchers develop models to predict where the fish will be.

Paddlefish sensors tuned to detect signals from zooplankton prey

Neurons fire in a synchronized bursting pattern in response to robust signals indicating nearby food.

Harp seals on thin ice after 32 years of warming

Warming in the North Atlantic over the last 32 years has significantly reduced winter sea ice cover in harp seal breeding grounds, resulting in sharply higher death rates among seal pups in recent years, according to a new study.

Fish mimics octopus that mimics fish

Nature's game of intimidation and imitation comes full circle in the waters of Indonesia, where scientists have recorded for the first time an association between the black-marble jawfish and the mimic octopus.

Salt water alone unlikely to halt Burmese python invasion

Invasive Burmese python hatchlings from the Florida Everglades can withstand exposure to salt water long enough to potentially expand their range through ocean and estuarine environments.

'Lost world' discovered around Antarctic vents

Communities of species previously unknown to science have been discovered on the seafloor near Antarctica, clustered in the hot, dark environment surrounding hydrothermal vents. The discoveries include new species of yeti crab, starfish, barnacles, sea anemones, and potentially an octopus.

Molecular mechanism links temperature with sex determination in some fish species

Researchers have found the epigenetic mechanism that links temperature and gonadal sex in fish. High temperature increases DNA methylation of the gonadal aromatase promoter in females.

Sunlight and bunker oil a fatal combination for Pacific herring

The 2007 Cosco Busan disaster, which spilled 54,000 gallons of oil into the San Francisco Bay, had an unexpectedly lethal impact on embryonic fish, devastating a commercially and ecologically important species for nearly two years, reports a new study.

Sea cucumbers: Dissolving coral reefs?

Coral reefs are extremely diverse ecosystems that support enormous biodiversity. But they are at risk. Carbon dioxide emissions are acidifying the ocean, threatening reefs and other marine organisms. New research analyzed the role of sea cucumbers in portions of the Great Barrier Reef and determined that their dietary process of dissolving calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from the surrounding reef accounts for about half of at the total nighttime dissolution for the reef.

Ocean acidification: Some organisms already experiencing ocean acidification levels not predicted to be reached until 2100

Ocean acidification research is a relatively new study topic as scientists have only appreciated the potential extent of acidification within the last decade. As greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated in the past century, the oceans have taken up about a third of the carbon dioxide produced by human activities. That excess beyond natural levels increases amounts of carbonic acid in seawater. New research shows that some organisms are already experiencing ocean acidification levels not predicted to be reached until 2100.

Belize protected area boosting predatory fish populations

A 14-year study in an atoll reef lagoon in Glover's Reef, Belize has found that fishing closures there produce encouraging increases in populations of predatory fish species. However, such closures have resulted in only minimal increases in herbivorous fish, which feed on the algae that smother corals and inhibit reef recovery.