Turtle and shark tagging part of new Ningaloo Reef research partnership
Ningaloo Reef is the largest fringing reef in the world, extending for 300 kilometres along the northwest coast of Australia.
The five-year, jointly-funded $5 million research program will include both deep and shallow reef research, turtle and shark tagging, a PhD scholarship scheme and opportunities to engage the local community, including BHP Billiton Petroleum employees, in Exmouth, WA.
Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane, joined CSIRO Executive Director Environment, Dr Andrew Johnson, and BHP Billiton Petroleum General Manager, Doug Handyside to launch the partnership in Perth.
Mr Handyside said the investment in marine science would help the oil and gas industry to better understand the reef and help target conservation efforts.