Cockburn Sound – home to a surprising diversity of marine species
Scientists have found an unexpectedly diverse assemblage of marine life living on the seafloor in Cockburn Sound. The species were identified following surveys of benthic communities in soft sediment and naturally occurring hard substrate as part of a research project that seeks to better understand benthic biodiversity and mitigate environmental impacts in the area. The […]
Researchers from Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University are investigating materials for a future artificial reef in Cockburn Sound that will act as a settling area for local, non-invasive invertebrates. The experiment, carried out under the WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program, is trialling four common construction materials (PVC, low-carbon concrete, natural limestone and mild steel) […]
Researchers at Curtin University are determining the hearing sensitivity of a local penguin species to marine noise pollution. The results could help determine to which anthropogenic noise frequencies little penguins (‘Fairy Penguin’) are most sensitive in the marine environment, with the aim of improving mitigation of noise pollution on local populations within Western Australia. Sound […]
Researchers from The University of Western Australia have installed a meteorological station at Cockburn Sound in the Cockburn Cement loading jetty to detect a range of atmospheric conditions that influence Cockburn Sound. The weather station will be deployed for 12 months and measure wind speed and direction, air temperature, humidity, air pressure, solar radiation, precipitation […]
A new project aims to identify the non-fishing activities in Cockburn Sound to assess the recreational use of the bay and the values it provides. The University of Western Australia and Murdoch University are working with the Western Australian Marine Science Institution and the Westport Program on the two-year project to better understand how the […]
An innovative new project is using human hair dye on Australian sea lions at Carnac and Seal Islands off the coast of Perth to track and learn about the local population. Edith Cowan University (ECU) are jointly leading the project with Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) marine researchers, in collaboration with Department of […]
Art and ocean science come together to inspire unique exhibition
A new initiative connecting art and marine science will see a group of south-west artists create a series of contemporary artworks inspired by Western Australia’s unique marine environment. This exciting collaboration between scientists and artists will lead to the aquatic-themed public art exhibition ‘Immerse’ exploring issues about the marine environment early next year. MIX Artists […]
An innovative trial to test the limits of seagrass under different dredging scenarios is underway that could make seagrass meadows more resilient to environmental pressures. The findings could help to future proof seagrass meadows across Western Australia. Edith Cowan University’s Centre for Marine Ecosystem Research has established a new state-of-the-art facility to assess the effect […]
An annual program led by leading UWA and WAMSI scientists to address the loss of seagrass in Cockburn Sound, is calling on volunteers to participate in local marine science to help restore the meadows. Community-based initiative ‘Seeds for Snapper,’ is a collaboration between The University of Western Australia and fishing conservation charity OzFish. United by […]
One of the largest research programs ever undertaken of Cockburn Sound is underway with the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) and Westport releasing the Science Program for its three-year partnership. The $13.5million investment in understanding the Cockburn Sound environment will drive a sustainable design, ensure a robust environmental impact assessment process, and improve long-term […]