The AIMS led study has been a major collaborative
project, co-funded with the WA Government, through its Ningaloo
Research Program and supported by expertise and ships from the
Institute, the University of WA, Curtin University and the WA
Museum.
AIMS ecologist Dr Andrew Heyward said more than
100 kilometres of the northern sector of the marine park has been
examined using a mix of both advanced underwater video equipment,
scientific acoustic mapping tools and more traditional sampling
devices.
"It is the first time some of the major deeper
water habitats have been identified and some of the collected
samples are likely to contain species new to science," he said.
A key aim of the research is to provide knowledge
about the marine biodiversity in the deeper, offshore areas of the
Ningaloo Marine Park beyond the limits of SCUBA diving (<30 m
depth). Ningaloo Marine Park encompasses depths to well over 100 m
in state waters and beyond 200 m depth in the adjacent
Commonwealth Marine Park zone.
Scientists have spent a month over the autumn in
the offshore waters of Ningaloo Marine Park documenting life on
the seafloor and collecting samples down to 110 metres.
"Hundreds of species samples have been collected
from representative areas of the marine park between the Muiron
Islands and Pt Cloates. These AIMS collections have been delivered
to the WA Museum and will provide the foundation for a seabed
biodiversity database for Ningaloo’s deeper waters," Dr Heyward
said.
Towed video cameras have exposed many secrets of
the deep including exotic sponge and seafan gardens in 100 metres
depth within the Cloates Sanctuary Zone.
"Some sponges were massive, between 600-700 mm
high and their ecology remains something of a mystery. The gardens
were stunning and so rich with diversity that I have no doubt
these contain unique species," Dr Heyward said.
Within areas of complex seabed habitats, the
expedition deployed baited underwater video cameras, which attract
fish to the camera’s field of view and allow the fish communities
to be scientifically identified and recorded. "There appears to be
strong patterns in the fish communities associated with different
depths and habitat types. Highly prized recreational species such
as emperor and cod were routinely observed, but further research
will be undertaken in collaboration with UWA to investigate
seasonal patterns of abundance and size for the key fish species."
Dr Heyward hopes to complete the deep-sea picture
of Ningaloo by continuing the project through the Ningaloo
Research Program over the next two years, expanding the suite of
survey tools and enlisting additional science agencies with
leading edge capabilities.
Sponges being processed
in preparation for lodgement with WA Museum. They were sampled
from a depth of 65 metres in the Cloates sanctuary zone. 
