National Science Week: Marine and maritime innovation

WA Museum is celebrating National Science Week by highlighting the innovative tools and technology its scientists use in their work - from discovering lost shipwrecks to finding new species in the depths of Perth Canyon.

WA Museum scientists access data and images generated through remote imaging, sensors, ROVs and many other tools that play a vital part in expanding scientific knowledge for Western Australians and the world.

Learn from the scientists by experiencing new technologies in hands-on activities during this special Science Week session.

 

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD'S OCEANS OVER A PINT

It is time to repair and regenerate areas of the oceans humans have damaged and not take the vast ecosystems for granted, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Marine Science Institution who joins other marine scientists at a United Nations sponsored forum in Fremantle on 13 June to mark World Ocean’s Day (8 June).

WAMSI CEO Dr Luke Twomey said the community was becoming more aware of the importance of the world’s oceans and the risks they faced.

He will be joined on the panel at the Old Courthouse venue by Professor Jennifer Verduin, Pro-Vice Chancellor, College of Environmental and Life Sciences and Professor of Oceanography at Murdoch University, Dr Rebecca Wellard, Program Manager Ocean Conservation at Minderoo Foundation and Dr Oliver Jewell, Marine Scientist and Postdoctoral Research Associate at The University of Western Australia’s Oceans Institute.

“The ocean is responsible for important processes such the weather, carbon sequestration, and oxygen production,” Dr Twomey said.  “It is essential habitat for an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and is responsible for the dynamics and stability of our coastlines. When we damage it, we are dismantling our life support system.”

UWA Oceans Institute Director, Dr Christophe Gaudin, said ocean health was a critical issue for everyone.

“Ocean health must be addressed by our communities at large to safeguard the well-being of future generations. The creation of the panel and the expertise assembled within the panel are an important step in that direction.”

“Panels like these serve a crucial purpose in addressing the importance of the ocean within the global climate system,” Professor Verduin said.

Dr Wellard said Western Australia was fortunate to have the longest coastline in the country, but the privilege came with great responsibility.

“This event is an opportunity to bring together scientists, ocean conservationists, and ocean champions to discuss what we can do to support a resilient and sustainable ocean,” Dr Wellard said.

“There has never been a more important time for us to support the United Nations’ Ocean Decade. World Oceans Day and the events around it offers a platform to talk about the science we need to keep our oceans healthy for future generations.”

The event has been organised by the United Nations Association of Australia WA Division and is sponsored by the UWA Oceans Institute, the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University and WAMSI.

“WA has a strong focus on its marine environment and there are so many opportunities for people to play and work on the ocean. We will discuss opportunities as we move away from carbon-based energy to more renewable forms,” Dr Twomey said.

Tickets are available here.

For Immerse MIX Artists are focussing on the marine environment and have engaged with scientists from the WA Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), UWA Oceans Institute, the University of Western Australia and Wave Energy Research Australia (WERA).

Since March 2022 MIX Artists have learnt from marine scientists through talks/presentations, (March and May), engagement with UWA marine science students during their field trip to Albany (April) and ongoing self-directed research by individual artists, assisted by WAMSI who has put artists in touch with marine scientists who are working in the artists' areas of interest. This meaningful collaboration has provided artists with the opportunity to drill into a subject and expand their knowledge. Artists have learnt about sustainable practices and rehabilitation work (for example of oyster beds and seagrass in the local Albany waters), the impact of climate change and pollution on the planet's oceans, and the ongoing discoveries of new marine species, as well as the ocean as a source of energy. This information has inspired each artist's creative ideas and art-making process.

The artworks in Immerse will convey important marine science knowledge and current research to a wide audience. A short video/slideshow will enable the audience to learn about the art-science collaboration, by documenting the interaction between artists and scientists and the resulting creative process.

Find out how scientists are restoring this crucial habitat

About this event

Kelp forests used to dominate coastlines around the world, but an accelerated loss of kelp is happening globally. How can we restore these crucial forests at the scales needed, whilst giving them the best chance to survive in a changing ocean? We are trailing techniques for restoring these essential kelp forests using rocks seeded with baby kelp.

Georgina Wood

Georgina Wood is a postdoctoral researcher in UWA’s Oceans Institute. Her work revolves around the ecology and genetics of coastal environments and developing solutions to the challenges that these systems face, both now and into the future. Georgina is a passionate science communicator and has delivered various marine ecology-themed workshops for local councils, schools and NGOs.

The Australian Ocean Energy Group’s Summit is the Australian Ocean Energy Group's signature event with the aim to increase market adoption of renewable ocean energy in Australia.

It is about creating supply and demand by connecting end users with ocean energy system suppliers and renewable energy project specialists to advance commercialisation of Australia’s ocean energy sector. It is intended to inform a diversity of markets about the strong benefits of utilising the right zero-emissions ocean energy technology solution aligned with the right system.