A scientific ocean current logger that dislodged at Ningaloo Reef, is having an adventurous journey back to its owners after it was found by a tourist operator floating in the sea. The discovery sparked a flurry of calls and emails between scientists across the country to get it safely returned.

The equipment was measuring water temperature and water flow on the seafloor, when it floated away. Craig Kitson from Ningaloo Glass Bottom Boat picked it up, and passed it on to WAMSI Research Director Dr Jenny Shaw, who was visiting the region for work. She then started the search within the marine science community to find the owner. It was passed to Paul Gamblin from the Australian Marine Conservation Society,  and Darren Schofield from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development before being traced back to CSIRO in Perth.

CSIRO marine ecologist Dr Damian Thomson said the equipment was one of 12 loggers that had been used for a project focused on the iconic reef.

“It is part of the Ningaloo Outlook Project and we are interested in how flow influences coral growth and survival” – Dr Damian Thomson

“We have growth measurements that suggest there are differences in growth rates, depending on where the coral grows on those spurs and grooves.”

“One of the factors may be the flow.”

He said two of the loggers dislodged but 10 remained for the duration of the two-week trial.

He said he was grateful to see one of the missing loggers returned after the manufacturer identified its owner.

“We were lucky to get it back,” Dr Thomson said.

“This is valuable data and we were very fortunate that someone rang the manufacturer and they were then able to contact CSIRO as the registered owner.”

“We are waiting to download the data so we’re not too sure what awaits us.”

“It is probably still logging while it sits on a colleague’s desk in Exmouth.”

Dr Shaw said gathering data was an investment in time and resources.

“When people have the opportunity to return this sort of equipment that holds so much data, it’s important to do so,” Dr Shaw said. “I’m very glad we were able to play a part in getting the logger back to its owners.”

Mr Kitson said he was happy to see the logger returned.

“We, now more than ever are so happy people are keeping an eye on our precious reef and if we as a business can support that in any way that makes us happy,” Mr Kitson said.

“We are excited to see what data and findings come from it.”

Photo thanks: Blue Media