Ningaloo rock lobster and octopus survey

3 July 2008

Marine scientists are carrying out a series of field surveys to look at rock lobster and octopus at Ningaloo Marine Park.

The work – to start next week – is part of an extensive series of marine research being funded by the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI).

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) research scientist, Martial Depczynski and CSIRO scientists will survey rock lobster habitat using underwater visual census over a four-month period.

The research will cover the entire Ningaloo Marine Park coastline.

“We will also assess the differences in their abundance and distribution according to patterns of human use in the marine park. By doing this we will be able to discover the effectiveness of marine park sanctuary zones – or no take areas – and establish methods to monitor these two invertebrate groups,” Dr Depczynski said.
 
Dr Depczynski said the octopus surveys would use new octopus fishery technology developed by the Fremantle Octopus Company which directly targetted octopus without any associated bycatch issues.

Dr Depcynski will be accompanied by AIMS colleagues Dr Jamie Colquhoun and Dr Andrew Heyward on the first trip, which begins on July 8.

WAMSI is a consortium of 15 State and Commonwealth Government, industry and academic partners undertaking multi disciplinary research. It is Australia’s first major research facility dedicated to understanding the marine environment and resources, and to contributing to decisions on future use of resources.

 
Contacts:  

AIMS: Martial Depcynski 0448 140 787 or 6369 4025
WAMSI: Sue McKenna 0424 196 771

Image courtesy of WA Museum/Clay Bryce.