Ecosystem modelling helps assess environmental impacts on Cockburn Sound
April 4, 2025
Cockburn Sound
What we’re doing in Cockburn Sound
WAMSI has partnered with Westport to undertake a major marine science program focused on Cockburn Sound.
The WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program was designed to ensure the environmental impact assessment for Western Australia’s future container port is informed by rigorous, independent science, and to assist and improve the management of Cockburn Sound now and into the future.
Marine scientists from WAMSI’s partner organisations are delivering over 30 research projects in the fields of physical, biological and social science to increase knowledge of this most important and unique Western Australian coastal ecosystem. More than 150 scientists are working on the science program and scientific reports from the program are available on the WAMSI website.
For more information about Westport visit: www.westport.wa.gov.au
WAMSI Westport Marine Science Plan
The Science Plan was developed in consultation with the Westport Program, WAMSI partners and expert scientists and includes a description of the program scope, marine science research themes and individual projects. A final Science Plan will be released at the conclusion of the Program.
Westport Literature Review and Preliminary Risk Assessment
WAMSI reviewed numerous comprehensive studies and reviews of Cockburn Sound for Westport in the 2018 Westport Literature review and preliminary risk assessment, which has been used to identify gaps and risks and inform the Science Plan.
Research highlights
Snapshots of Cockburn Sound Research
January 2025 Research Highlights 2025
Featuring innovative studies on the effects of dredging sediment on marine life, robotic seagrass restoration, sea lion hearing sensitivity, and the complex food web of Cockburn Sound.
May 2024 Research Highlights
Explore rare sea snake discoveries, vital seagrass research, and updates on Cockburn Sound and Kimberley ecosystems. Plus, get a preview of the Ningaloo Outlook Symposium.
February 2024 Research Highlights
Showcasing collaborative studies on blue swimmer crabs, seagrass restoration, recreational fishing impacts, little penguin monitoring, and syngnathid fish distribution in Cockburn Sound.
October 2023 Research Highlights
Featuring efforts in data management, seagrass resilience and restoration, Australian sea lion and dolphin monitoring, fish larvae surveys, sediment tracking, and ecosystem modelling.
July 2023 Research Highlights
Explore squid distribution, fish and invertebrate monitoring and snapper hatchery evaluations. Plus seagrass restoration methods and dolphin and fish larvae studies.
March 2023 Research Highlights
Studies on Australian sea lion movements, penguin hearing sensitivity, benthic biodiversity, underwater soundscapes and marine food webs.
Research themes
How we’re shaping the future of Cockburn Sound
Ecosystem Modelling and Integration
An integrated ecosystem modelling framework for Cockburn Sound.
Benthic Habitats and Communities
Improve understanding of temperate benthic communities and processes, with a focus on seagrass, macroalgae and macroinvertebrates.
Water and Sediment Quality
Baseline surveys of water and sediment quality to help understand existing pollutants and variations in environmental quality.
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Improve knowledge of the spatial and temporal distribution of fish and crustaceans in Cockburn Sound.
Hydrodynamic Modelling
Understanding how changes to the seabed following port development will change flushing and circulation regimes.
Social Values
Identifying the most important social and economic values to the community and users of Cockburn Sound.
Noise
Study of the baseline and future underwater soundscapes’ of Cockburn Sound to manage the potential effects of underwater noise.
Apex Predators and Iconic Species
Address knowledge gaps relating to conservation-significant and iconic species in the Cockburn Sound area.
Coastal Processes
Integration of historical and new on-ground data, providing an insight into sediment transport and beach process.
Monthly insights
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