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Treasure trove of eco data ‘mapped’ online to help future marine heatwave response

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A century of data sources on Western Australia’s sea life, including fish, invertebrates and their habitats, has been collated and made publicly available as part of an innovative project aimed at better forecasting and managing marine heatwaves.

The data sources have been used to create a public digital dashboard within an online StoryMap site to allow scientists and the community access to the valuable information using interactive maps and text.

Professor Kathryn McMahon from Edith Cowan University’s (ECU) School of Science, who is a co-lead on the project’s ecological impact theme, said there had been a focus on getting as much information as possible from almost 20 organisations to help researchers understand the ongoing impact of marine heatwaves on sea life.

“By collating this data, we can use it to see patterns and trends that emerge, which can contribute to understanding changes to fisheries abundance and distribution.” Professor McMahon said.

“They cause fish and seagrass to die, and some species migrate to new areas and there are huge ramifications for the ecology, fisheries and tourism.”

“This data mapping project has the practical application of helping to predict what will happen in the future so we can better manage these destructive events.”

Theme co-lead Dr Sharyn Hickey from The University of Western Australia’s School of Agriculture and Environment said users of the system would be able to search specific regions to find out more about local species and available data sources.

“By bringing this together it also helps researchers collaborate on projects by identifying who has gathered the information,” Dr Hickey said.

“This product is a big step forward in helping us understand how marine heatwaves, which are increasing along our western Australian coastline, may be affecting our marine ecosystems,” Dr Hickey said.

“More work is needed to develop appropriate responses for these extreme events.”

Data from the project is expected to be used as a reference for future research to assess trends in species’ abundance and distribution.

This initiative is part of the ‘Advancing predictions of WA marine heatwaves and impacts on marine ecosystems’ program, which is managed by the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI).

Program scientists come from organisations including the Bureau of Meteorology, Curtin University, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia.

The StoryMap can be found at: https://arcg.is/1LvKXn0

Hippo sedation adapted for Perth sea lion tagging

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Even for a veterinarian who regularly anaesthetises antelopes, giraffes and hippopotamuses, the Australian sea lions off Perth were a new challenge for Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Dr Brett Gardner.

The Victorian based wildlife vet, supporting Dr Simone Vitali – a former specialist veterinarian with  the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions in Perth – helped fit satellite tracking devices to the endangered mammals after using a novel anaesthetic regime designed to reduce the risk of drowning and aid a quicker recovery.

Dr Gardner said the team working on the WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program satellite tagging operation included boat and beach crews as well as swimmers.

“For sea lions, the water is their safe space when they are stressed but when they have just been anaesthetised it is dangerous for them to be there,” Dr Gardner said.

Traditional methods induce a heavy sedation or even full anaesthesia, which can be risky for the animals.  The sea lions’ anatomy including their breath-holding ability, more compressible ribcage and vulnerable trachea add to challenges around anaesthesia.

“We used a combination of drugs that induce a light sedation, and we had members of the team on the beach and on boats ready to administer medication that reverses their effects in the case of an emergency such as a potential drowning.”

“This lighter sedation is predominantly used to free marine mammals that become caught in fishing line and discarded rope where a heavy sedation would be too dangerous.”

Dr Gardner said the way the sea lions are selected for darting is important.

“We try to target animals that are less likely to react by fleeing into the water, so sleeping sea lions are preferable to ones that are awake.”

The research team works on a sedated sea lion (Photo: Kelly Waples DBCA)

“When we dart animals that are sleeping rather than ones that are alert, they tend to respond like it’s one of their mates that’s bitten them and then they settle down and the anaesthetic takes effect.”

The islands in the Perth metropolitan region are used exclusively by male sea lions but this too posed unique challenges.

“The problem with the Australian sea lion bulls is that they were all on the water’s edge, literally, less than 25 metres away and some are less than five metres from the water.”

“Also, because of their sheer size and their fat deposits you’ve got far fewer suitable areas for a dart to be placed.”

A paper on the anaesthetic regime’s use in Australian sea lions is being written and Drs Gardner and Vitali, said there were no adverse effects observed and the satellite tags were successfully attached to the animals.

 

 

 

 

 

Dolphin dreams a reality for WAMSI scientist

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On International Women’s Day, March 8, WAMSI Science Coordinator Dr Kelly Waples reflects on her career

As a young girl in beachside California, Kelly Waples dreamt of being a dolphin trainer from the first time she visited a marine aquarium. Her interest soon shifted from spectacle to science but a passion for the marine mammals remained.

Dr Waples, now a Principal Scientist for Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and a Science Coordinator for Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), ultimately did her doctoral research on rehabilitating and releasing captive dolphins.

“I was always interested in dolphin behaviour, but as I spent more time in the field, I became interested in applying what we learn about these animals to conservation questions,” Dr Waples said.

“The opportunity to work on a dolphin release came up and I jumped at the chance to return to Australia and participate in what was, at the time, a groundbreaking project.”

She described finishing her PhD and moving to Australia as a time when her career hit a crossroads.

“It became clear to me that to pursue a career in marine mammal field biology was not going to be easy or provide much in the way of job security.”

A move to wildlife conservation as a coordinator of wildlife management in New South Wales was ultimately a rewarding opportunity.

“I was responsible for coordinating and advising on a range of issues from nuisance flying foxes and possums to whale strandings and oil spills,” Dr Waples said.

“I was lucky to again have a career change when I returned to Perth and joined the Marine Science Program at DBCA.

“I have more of a science coordination role at WAMSI and have the opportunity to interact with a wide range of scientists from various disciplines to participate in research supporting conservation decisions and to advise on a number of marine mammal issues.”

In her role at WAMSI, Dr Waples is back working on a project involving her first research ‘love’- marine mammals.

“I’ve really enjoyed this last year with the opportunity, through the WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program, to be out in the field in our own backyard here in Perth learning more about the endangered Australian sea lions.”

“I’m learning new skills and working with a wide range of fantastic scientists, veterinarians and marine staff.”

Reflecting on International Women’s Day, Dr Waples said while most of her early mentors and colleagues were male scientists it had been heartening to see that change over time with many amazing and dedicated female scientists joining the ranks.

“I hope that I have done my part (improving the gender balance) by championing young female scientists where I can and giving them the advice and support to choose their paths well.”