Kimberley marine science case report released

14 October 2008

 The Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) today released a report A turning of the tide: science for decisions in the Kimberley-Browse marine region authored by Professor Mike Wood and Dr Des Mills.

“It is rare for leaders to face decisions about the future as complex as those involving the cultural, environmental, economic and social values in this region,” independent Chairman of WAMSI’s Board of Directors, Dr Peter Rogers, said.

“Scientific information should be the lifeblood of one of the last great wild and rugged marine regions on earth – a region where natural gas processing, tourism, fishing, infrastructure and port developments will need to co-exist.

“The absence of regional marine and coastal research could ultimately be to the detriment of the environmental, economic, social and cultural values of the region. It will be most marked in the Kimberley-Browse marine region which historically has limited marine biodiversity data,” he said.

A turning of the tide: science for decisions in the Kimberley-Browse marine region has recommended an injection of $110 million in research funds from State Government, Commonwealth Government and the private sector over a seven-year period.

“Independent science will give the community information on likely climate change impacts, biodiversity, cultural and heritage values, fisheries, the management of sustainable and productive industry, innovative marine technology and marine planning,” Dr Rogers said.

“It’s vital that we further integrate traditional Aboriginal knowledge with western science if we are to reliably inform developments now on the table.

“Unfortunately the cost of research in the Kimberley is estimated to be two to three times greater than the cost of research elsewhere, based on its location.”

WAMSI commissioned the independent report as a means of providing input to government, industry and the community for their consideration of the marine science needs for the Kimberley-Browse region.

Professor Wood is from the School of Business, University of Notre Dame, and Dr Mills is a private environmental consultant.

Contacts: Dr Peter Rogers [WAMSI Chairman] on 0419 939 135 or Sue McKenna [WAMSI Communications] on 0424 196 771 or 6488 4574

Data management symposium

Marine plants show high rates of anti-tumour activity

Western Australia’s marine biodiversity exhibits some of the highest rates globally of anti-tumour activity when extracts are screened for biomedicinal discovery.

A marine sponge and an ascidian found along WA coastlines produce compounds that have anti-tumour potential and are currently listed on the US Federal Register, says a senior scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

His research – part of the Western Australian Marine Science Institution's (WAMSI's)extensive marine research projects – found that ingredients from marine plants and animals could be used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, anti foulants, biofuels and industrial enzymes.

“We’re interested to know why a sponge, for instance, produces an anti-tumour active compound,” he said.

“This will help in the search for better, more specifically active drug leads. Identifying the genetic material responsible for the creation of these compounds will broaden our understanding of how marine organisms respond to their environment (at molecular levels) and at the same time provide useful applications.

“Bioproducts for biomedicinal sectors is a very exciting area, but in WA there are likely to be other more immediate opportunities in exploring applications for industry, agriculture and the environment.”

Dr Battershill said drugs and other compounds, enzymes and biomaterials from the sea would provide new industry opportunity for the state.

“In recent times a new drug from a sea squirt has been approved (September 2007 in Europe) and there is a high potential to find similarly useful compounds from the southern oceans,” he said, adding that marine organisms had a long evolutionary period (over four billion years for ribonucleic acid or RNA) from which a vast living library of compounds may be found including whole new classes of compounds with functionalities relevant to modern need in medicine and other sectors.

“This opportunity for future generations is clearly linked to conservation of biodiversity in its natural state and modern methods of exploration for such leads now have little or no environmental impact,” he said.

Using new molecular tools, the focus of Dr Battershill’s research is on micro-organisms which are much more diverse.

“The average sponge contains over 200 microbes and the opportunities for discovery are high… We are beginning to understand how these organisms interact to produce defensive chemicals for their own survival using the types of compounds of interest to humans,” he said.

“Understanding the origin and development of biochemical pathways in nature adds to our knowledge of how marine communities adapt and evolve to change and challenges, a very important consideration in an era of rapid climate change.” 

His research will begin with a number of small but strategic projects examining the chemical ecology of bioactive species to understand the sophistication of biosynthesis in the organisms and to permit a hypothesis-driven approach to the discovery of useful chemicals. It will also look at new targets for industry including biomaterials and biofuels.

“These latter projects are aimed at providing a new production industry, including mixed species aquaculture, for the state,” he said.

“Another aim of this research is to establish a marine biodiversity library in WA. It is a lead project creating the state’s first biodiscovery repository.”

Dr Battershill said his research was based on conservation but would provide social and economic benefits for WA and the growth of a skills-based organisation based on WA’s marine biodiversity.

WAMSI was formed in 2007 as a joint venture consortium consisting of 12 state and national marine science organisations and two industry collaborators, Woodside Energy Limited and BHP Billiton Petroleum.

It is dedicated to understanding the marine environment and resources, and to contributing to decisions on future use of resources.

With $21 million of funding support from the WA Government and a $30 million co-investment by member partners, its strategic projects address climate change, its likely impacts, how marine and coastal ecosystems function and how science can be used to minimise the adverse impacts of human activity and industrial development.

Ningaloo Reef research widens

Ningaloo Reef became second home to two postgraduate university students who spent much of the last three years researching fish stocks and reef evolution as part of a Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) project.

Emily Twiggs from Curtin University studied the evolution of Ningaloo Reef during the past 125,000 years while Ben Fitzpatrick from The University of Western Australia studied the spatial and temporal distribution of reef fish and the effects of fishing and fish stocks in sanctuary and other zones in Ningaloo Marine Park.

Emily said that by using geological timescales she was able to look at the growth of the reef across huge spans of time. She hopes her research will answer questions about past climate changes that have affected the reef.

“I studied the foundations of the reef, how the coral communities changed through time and components such as coral and algae, which influence the habitats of species,” she said.

 “Inshore reef research involved mapping habitats and ‘ground truthing’ the sea floor to see what species lived where, using sediment grabs. We now have much more fine scale information than we’ve had before,” she said.

She is also researching the offshore reefs to look at the influences affecting the habitat of fish, complementing Ben’s research.

Ben said people needed to understand why each species of fish lived in different habitats. Using stereo baited video cameras he measured the length and size of almost all species of fish at Ningaloo, assessed where adults and young fish lived, and listed the location of nursery areas. He said their research would ascertain the extent of deeper water habitats such as sponge-dominated reefs which support unique fish fauna but share many fish species with shallow coral reefs.

“We researched 400 species of fish, about 30 of which are caught by fishers, to understand the effects of fishing on species other than those being caught,” he said.

 “When you remove the dominant species of fish the population of other species increase which means fish assemblages outside sanctuary zones have changed . Species which would have once had smaller numbers are surviving because the larger fish are being caught.”

“The relationship between the themes of our research is an important tool for the management of reefs,” he said.

 “Our research is providing a lot more meaning to management and sanctuary zone plans not just for Ningaloo but elsewhere in Western Australia.”

Their projects are coordinated by the Department of Environment and Conservation with practical support from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), CSIRO and their universities.

WAMSI is a consortium of 15 State and Commonwealth government, academic and private partners undertaking multi-disciplinary inter-institutional marine research. It is Australia’s first collaborative research facility dedicated to understanding the marine environment and resources, and to contributing to policy and management decisions on the future use of our oceans.

The Western Australian Government provided a $21 million five-year investment with an approximate $60 million co-investment by member partners. WAMSI’s strategic projects address climate change, its likely impacts, how marine and coastal ecosystems function and how science can be used to further understand the impacts of human activity in the marine environment.

Pipleline safety and wave movement analysed

The safety of industrial pipelines criss-crossing the ocean floor in WA’s North West is being studied by The University of Western Australia as part of its research into ocean predictions for offshore and coastal industries.

Professor Greg Ivey, from UWA’s School of Environmental Systems Engineering (Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics) is leading the WA Marine Science Institution’s (WAMSI’s) offshore and coastal engineering research examining marine issues such as the effects of shore stabilisation, sea level rise, tides, internal waves and the implications for engineering activities.

“We’re trying to understand the dynamics in ocean environment of our Australian North West Shelf which is up to 2000 kilometres long and 500-600 kilometres offshore,” Professor Ivey said.

“It’s a complicated northern environment with warm surface water overlying cooler waters, very strong tides and the occasional cyclone so it’s very dynamic.”

He said it was imperative to understand the physical and environmental implications of climate change on the coastal environment across the State.

“There are vast differences in the coastal environments off WA but in the North West there is an increasing need for developments,” he said.

“We need to understand questions on the need for shore stabilisation, sea level rises and other changes which we may need to deal with now and in the future.

“The North West Shelf of our State is covered in thousands of kilometres of pipelines on the seafloor. For the safety of everyone we have to explore the marine environment and to quantify, for example,  the loading or forces exterted on structures by internal waves and currents,” he said.

Internal waves ride on the interface between the warm surface waters and the colder deeper water, form offshore and then sweep across the ocean before eventually breaking in shallow waters.

“This is where all the pipelines from oil and gas operations are laid,” he said.

He said ocean gliders had been developed to monitor the ocean and can be used to  track the internal wave and water movements from areas in the north to areas in the South West.

Professor Ivey’s group works in conjunction with Woodside Energy, Chevron Pty Ltd, the WA Department for Planning and Infrastructure and the WA Marine Observing System (WAIMOS).

WAMSI is a consortium of 15 State and Commonwealth government, academic and private partners undertaking multi-discliplinary inter-institutional marine research. It is Australia’s first collaborative research facility dedicated to understanding the marine environment and resources, and to contributing to policy and management decisions on the future use of our oceans.

The Western Australian Government provided a $21 million five-year investment with an approximate $60 million co-investment by member partners. WAMSI’s strategic projects address climate change, its likely impacts, how marine and coastal ecosystems function and how science can be used to further understand the impacts of human activity in the marine environment.

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

SUMMIT STUDIES KIMBERLEY MARINE RESEARCH NEEDS

18th March 2008

Scientists and representatives of industry, business, State and Federal Government agencies, non-government organisations and community groups have conducted a one-day summit to identify the major management questions and knowledge gaps that could affect the sustainable development of the waters and coastline of Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

The summit was part of a study being conducted for the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) to prepare an integrated scientific and business case for the area from the southern end of the 80 Mile Beach, south of Broome, to the WA-Northern Territory border and 200 nautical miles out to sea.

Among the major issues raised by the summit participants was the importance of the social, ecological and economic values in the region. They also saw a need for ongoing environmental management and monitoring in the Kimberley marine and coastal environments.

Participants noted there were very large gaps in knowledge about the marine science of the region.

For further details click Media Release

To view a summary, click Summit Outcomes

ANNUAL MARINE RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS 2008

The WAMSI Annual Marine Research Presentations held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre on the morning of Wednesday 12 March 2008, were opened by the WAMSI Chairman Dr Peter Rogers.


An audience of approximately 80 representatives from government and non-government bodies, industry, research scientists and the wider community viewed the exceptional visual presentations delivered by the WAMSI Node Leaders to the WAMSI Governors.

The Node Leaders outlined the research currently underway, highlighting some of the preliminary findings and the major research outcomes from their projects to date.

WAMSI Node 1 Leader, Dr John Keesing gave an overview of the 'Strategic Research on Western Australian Marine Ecosystems. View Presentation

WAMSI Node 2 Leader, Dr Bryson Bates delivered a presentation on Climate Processes. Predicatbility and Impacts. View Presentation

WAMSI Node 3 Leader Dr Chris Simpson addressed the audience , providing an outline of current and planned research in the projects associated with Conserving Marine Biodiversity. View Presentation

WAMSI Node 4 Leader Dr R Fletcher delivering his presentations on Sustainable Marine Ecosystems to the WAMSI Governors. View Presentation



WAMSI Node 5 Leader Dr Chris Battershill presented the background and early findings associated with the Biodiscovery, Biotechnology and Aquaculture projects. View Presentation

Representing the WAMSI Node 6 Leader, Prof. Chari Pattiaratchi presented an outline of the projects involved in Ocean Predictions for the Offshore and Coastal Industry. View Presentation

MARINE SCIENCE IN WA

A two day WAMSI-AMSA (WA) seminar, Marine Science in WA, was held on 26 & 27 February 2008.

Day 1 of the seminar saw a large audience of marine reseachers gathered at the Western Australian Museum in Fremantle for the opportunity get an up-to-date snapshot of the exciting marine research that is happening in Western Australia.

For an outline of the day's 'Newsflash' presentations, please click Show & Tell Program.
To view the presentations, click on the relevant presentation listed below.

Session 1:
AMSA Overview - Dr Fred Wells, AMSA WA President
WAMSI Overview - Dr Peter Rogers, WAMSI Chairman
WAMSI Node 1 Overview - Dr John Keesing: Strategic Research on Western Australian Marine Ecosystems
WAMSI Node 2 Overview - Dr Ming Feng: Climate Processes, Predictability and Impacts in a Warming Indian Ocean
WAMSI Node 3 Overview - Dr Kelly Waples: Managing and Conserving the Marine State:  Best Practice Management & Underpinning Science
WAMSI Node 4 Overview - Dr Dan Gaughan: Sustainable Marine Ecosystems: Ecologically Sustainable Development for the Marine State’s Fisheries
WAMSI Node 5 Overview - Dr Chris Battershill: Marine Biodiscovery, Biotechnology & Aquaculture: The Blue Farm
WAMSI Node 6 Overview - Prof. Chari Pattiaratchi: Ocean Science for Offshore and Coastal Engineering

Session 2
Ningaloo Region (including Gascoyne & Shark Bay)
Overview: Prof. Neil Loneragan and Dr Andrew Heyford

Newsflash Presentations:
Economic strategies for disaster risk-reduction in coastal areas: A case study of Exmouth Gulf - Rebecca Roberts
Human dimensions & spatial relationships of recreational usage in the Ningaloo Marine Park - Claire Smallwood
Analysing the effects of anthropogenic activities on different aquatic ecosystems in WA and identifying ecosystem-based management policies that provide long-term sustainability - Sarah Fretzer
Assessment of groundwater impacts on the Ningaloo Reef System - Lindsay Collins
Cross-shelf transport and loss processes of primary production off Western Australia: the impact of the Leeuwin Current on Ningaloo Reef - Cecile Rouseaux
The role of oceanographic processes in the trophic ecology of Ningaloo Reef: linking reef biodiversity and biogeochemistry - Alex Wyatt
Spatial and temporal distribution of reef fish at Ningaloo - Ben Fitzpatrick
Gascoyne scale fish sustainability - Ross Marriot
Population dynamics and habitat usage of Sousa chinensis and Tursiops truncatus in the Exmouth region - Kristel Wenziker
Shoreline intertidal invertebrates: Ningaloo 2007 pilot study - Anne Brearley
Biology and biodiversity studies at Ningaloo - Mike van Keulen
Geomorphology, sediments and habitats of Ningaloo Reef - Emily Twiggs
Hyperspectral sensing of Ningaloo coastal waters - Peter Fearns
Ningaloo benthic habit mapping work - Ian Parnum
Habitats and Biodiversity of Ningaloo Reef: Coastal zone mapping, linking coastal developments to human use and impacts - Halina Kobryn
Habitats and Biodiversity of Ningaloo Reef Lagoon - Nicole Pinnel
Habitat mapping, biodiversity & community structure - Mark Langdon

Perth Metropolitan Region
Overview: Dr Karen Hillman and Dr Rod Lenanton

Newsflash Presentations:
Studying the effects of benthic fauna on sediment-water nitrogen cycling in the Swan River Estuary - Rob De Roach
SW Australian nearshore marine & estuarine waters - Fiona Valesini
Near-shore habitat classification - Michelle Wildsmith
Habitat faunal relationships - Mathew Hourston
Indices of estuarine health using fish assemblage characteristics - Chris Hallett
Classifying shallow water habitats in the Swan marine region - Aaron McDonald
Perth long-term ocean outlet monitoring - Glenn Shiell
Hyperspectral imagery as a tool for regional marine planning in temperate south-western Australia - Matt Harvey
Development of long-term program to monitor coastal communities - Samantha Bridgwood
Sediment characteristics of natural and transplanted seagrasses - Warren Chisolm
Seagrass health monitoring in Cockburn and Warnbro Sound - Paul Lavery
The use of acoustics to study fish aggregations - Mike Parsons
Biology of the foxfish Bodianus frenchii, an extremely long-lived labrid - Alex Hesp
Comparisons of the biology of three sympatric species of labrid in Western Australia - Elaine Lek
Biology of the recreationally important serranid the breaksea cod Epinephelides armatus - Steve Moore
Biological parameters required for managing Yellowtail Flathead (Platycephalus endrachtensis) - Peter Coulson
Biological parameters required for managing the iconic Western Blue Groper (Achoerodus gouldii) - Ian Potter
Biology of four abundant elasmobranch species in the bycatch in commercial fisheries of south-western Australia - Ashlee Jones
Process based assessments of trophic relationships - Matt Pember
Ecosystem studies – changes in species composition and ecosystem models - Norman Hall
A process-oriented approach linking meso-scale oceanography and larval fish assemblages - Dave Holliday
Indigenous coastal and marine programs in the Swan Catchment Council - Barry McGuire

Session 3
South Coast and Capes Region
Overview: E Buckley and A/Prof. G Kendrick

Newsflash Presentations:
Ocean Time Series Data - Establishment of fishery-dependent indicators of climate change - A Pearce
How big is my halo? Monitoring indirect losses of vegetated habitat due to infrastructure developments - B Hegge
Ecophysiology of transplanted seagrass: Albany and Perth - M Cambridge
Linking seagrass restoration to the biology of seagrass survival and growth - R Hovey
The seagrass communities of Geographe Bay: Baseline studies and human impacts - P Barnes
Seagrass wrack dynamics in Geographe Bay  - P Lavery
Fish faunas of south coast estuaries - F Valesini
A non-market valuation of the Ningaloo and proposed Capes Marine Parks - A McCartney
How many species of the seagrass Posidonia are there in WA? - K McMahon

Mid West Region
Overview: Mat Vanderklift
 
Coastal GIS for the Northern Agricultural Region of WA - A Stevens
Latitudinal study of Leeuwin Current ichthyoplankton - N Millar
Predicting the impacts of dredging in seagrass ecosystems - P Lavery
Trophic consequences of disturbance in seagrass meadows - A Gartner
The fish fauna of reef, seagrass and sand habitats in the Jurien Bay Marine Park - D Fairclough
Habitat use, movements and trophic linkages of western rock lobsters, Panulirus cygnus, within shallow coastal waters - L MacArthur
Evaluating how food webs and fisheries are affected by fishing closures in Jurien Bay - N Loneragan

Session 4
North West Shelf - Pilbara Region
Overview: Dr R Masini

Biacoustic studies - Animal visitation numbers & movements - C Salgado
Predicting impacts of dredging on turbid water, tropical benthic ecosystems - K McMahon

Kimberley Region
Overview 1: Paul Gamblin
Overview 2: Dr D Mills

Kimberley Marine & Coastal Scientific Forum - M van Keulin
Quaternary growth history of Scott Reef - L Collins
The Rowley Shoals: A global benchmark for marine diversity conservation - S Long
Patterns of genetic connectivity among reef fish populations - J Underwood
Conservation genetics of Pristis species in Australian waters - N Philips
Movements & habitat utilisation of Freshwater Sawfish (Pristis microdon) and Northern RIver Sharks (Glyphis sp. C) in the western Kimberley, WA - J Whitty

Day 2 of the event was a mini-symposium of some preliminary results from the recent cruise on the RV Southern Surveyor in May/June 2007.  A highlight of the day was Professor Iain Suthers [UNSW], contrasting the biological oceanography of the east and west coasts of Australia. 

To view the program of presentations click Southern Surveyor Program.

WAMSI Node 1 Leader Dr John Keesing. (Left)

Professor Iain Suthers UNSW delivering his presentation. (Right)

KIMBERLEY COAST FOCUS FOR MAJOR SCIENCE STUDY

16 January, 2008

The waters and coastline of WA’s Kimberley region are the focus of a new study that is the first step in the preparation of an integrated scientific plan for the coast and offshore areas.

Click on the link to the PDF below for more information

Marine and Coastal Data Management: a lasting legacy

Want to find out more about what is happening nationally and here is Western Australia on Marine Data Management Information? Free public seminar on Thursday 25th October 2007. For more information .......... [click here].

Premier's Prize for Achievement in Science

At the launch of National Science Week, the Premier made an announcement that prize money for outstanding and groundbreaking work in Western Australia's science and innovation sector should be increased in recognition of the importance it played in the economy. The Premier's Prize for Achievement in Science would be increased from $10,000 to $100,000. Nominations close on 14 September 2007. For more information to nominate http://sciencewa.net.au/ambassador_info.asp?pg=357

Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre

Would you like to hear a presentation on 'Do Sanctuary Zones Work? examples from recent

BLUELink launched……

Australia’s first operational oceanographic forecasting product available free on-line. Congratulations are in order for the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO Wealth from Oceans Flagship, who on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy, have produced a great free on-line forecasting product.

The BLUElink forecasts provide information on coastal and ocean currents and eddies, surface and subsurface ocean properties, that impact and are linked to maritime and commercial operations, defence applications, safety-at-sea, ecological sustainability, regional and global climate.

For more details go to: http://www.bom.gov.au/bluelink/

For the forecasts go to: http://www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/forecasts/

For more information go to: http://www.cmar.csiro.au/bluelink/

WAMSI Node 5 Stakeholder Workshop

Marine Biotechnology, Biodiversity & Aquaculture

A public stakeholder workshop, sponsored by WAMSI, the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) & AusBiotech was held on 24 May 2007 at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre to further progress the Science Planning for WAMSI Node 5 - Marine Biotechnology, Biodiversity & Aquaculture. The aim of the workshop was to review the scientific opportunities to progress research in marine biodiscovery & biotechnology in Western Australia. The focus of the workshop was to further coordinate the linkages amongst the relevant research and industry groups in WA, with a view to developing a longer term strategy for national & international engagement.

The keynote presentation was delivered by world famous marine natural products chemist, Professor Ted Molinski from the University of Califormia, San Diego who discussed “Bioactive marine natural products from WA waters” which was well received by an audience of over 60 people. There were eight invited speakers including: Dr Chris Battershill – AIMS & WAMSI Node 5 Leader who gave a vision for Marine Biotechnology in WA for the next five years; and Dr David Camp from the Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, who discussed strategies to promote Australian biodiversity for biodiscovery. Other speakers included: Professor Steve Halls, Murdoch University; Dr Ian Edwards, Edstar Genetics; Professor Peter Leedman, WAIMR; Dr Paul Watt, Phylogica and Ms Libby Evans-Illidge from AIMS.

The workshop will be written up to inform the WAMSI Node 5 Science Plan and a communiqué from the event will be released shortly.
 
For more information contact: Dr Chris Battershill on E: c.battershill@aims.gov.au

Premier launches WAMSI

The Premier of Western Australia, the Hon Alan Carpenter, MLA, officially launched the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) on Friday 18 May 2007 at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle. In front of 160 people, including the WA Chief Scientist, the WAMSI Board and University Vice-Chancellors, the culmination of years of effort to conceive and establish WAMSI, was marked by the formal launch by the Premier. Speakers at the launch included: Dr Bernard Bowen, the inaugural WAMSI Chairman; Mr Tim Winton, author; Dr Greg Ayers, Chief of the CSIRO Division of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences; and the Premier, the Hon Alan Carpenter, MLA, also the Minister for Science.

To recognise the contributions of the WAMSI partners, the WAMSI Governors were invited to receive Certificates of Appreciation from the Premier on behalf of their organisations. This was followed by the award by the Premier of the first WAMSI PhD top-up scholarships to eight students from WA’s Universities.

The formal proceedings were followed by a morning tea at the WA Maritime Museum where the banners of all the participating WAMSI partners were proudly on display.

WAMSI launch media release

WA Government media release (released Friday 18 May 2007)

Change of Chairmanship of the WAMSI Board

Bernard Bowen will be stepping down as Chair of the WAMSI Board on 30 June 2007.  Bernard was Chair of the Bid Committee, which resulted in the grant by the State Government to establish WAMSI, then he was Chair of the Interim Board to plan the details of the WAMSI organisation and appoint a CEO, and finally with the signing of the Agreements in March this year he is Chair of the Governing Board.  His work with WAMSI has spanned four years, and he proposed to the Governors earlier in the year that a new Chair be appointed when his term expires on 30 June.

Dr Bowen is pleased to announce that the WAMSI Governors have appointed a new Chair, Dr Peter Rogers, to guide the development of WAMSI.  Dr Rogers will take up his appointment on 1 July 2007.  He brings to the position a wealth of experience following 33years in the Western Australian Department of Fisheries, including 15 years as CEO.  Peter has been an active supporter of WAMSI in assisting its initiation and later as an active Governor and Board member, before retiring from the Department of Fisheries late last year.  Peter will bring to the position of Chairman an interest in international opportunities for WAMSI and a strategic business focus towards facilitating future development opportunities with the benefit of his relevant background, knowledge and experience.

Launch of the Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre

The Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre is the newest attraction in the vibrant Hillary's Boat Harbour complex, launched on the 4th April 2007 by WA Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Jon Ford.  The Discovery Centre is unique in Western Australia.....a place for learning, fun and exploration.....a place for the people, young and old, groups and individuals.

Launch of Curtin University's Waterfront Research Facility

The Waterfront Research Facility is a significant development for both the Centre for Marine Science and Technology and the Fremantle Sailing Club, improving conditions for the CMST's marine research programs, as well as enhancing the Fremantle Sailing Club's links with the broader marine community.  This facility provides CMST with the permanent waterfront access it needs to conduct ocean experiments in an efficient manner.  It will include wet and dry laboratory facilities, a mobile trailable unit for jetty-based experiments and a surfaced hard-stand area.

WA Marine Science Show & Tell Seminar

On Thursday 29 March 2007, WAMSI sponsered the WA Marine Science Show & Tell Seminar which was held at Home Base Expo in Subiaco.

The response to the seminar was overwhelming and the enthusiasm of the participants made for a very positive, interesting and informative day.

The presenters showcased their current marine science research activities via a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation.  They also outlined the location of their research activities on a large map of WA so an overview of who was doing what and where in WA marine science research could be captured. 

Other presenters outlined the need for marine science within their region or how they could assist marine science with data management.

AGENDA - WA Marine Science Show & Tell Seminar

ABSTRACTS - WA Marine Science Show & Tell Seminar

Dr Rick Fletcher <(Department of Fisheries) presents
his talk on 'Sustainable Marine Ecosystems:  ESD
for the Marine State's Fisheries (Implementing EBFM)'

Associate Professor Gary Kendrick (The University of Western Australia) presents his talk on 'WA Marine Futures / Coastal CRC / FRDC related resource mapping and biodiversity assessment'

Mr Oliver Gomez (WA Museum) presents his talk on 'Western Australia's Marine Sponges'

Dr Halina Kobryn (Murdoch University) presented her talk on 'Wealth from Oceans Ningaloo hyperspectral study'

 Congratulations to SRFME and a job well done! See link SRFME MEDIA STATEMENT

 Official WAMSI Signing Ceremony

A momentous occasion for the WA marine science community; the documents officially launching the Western Australian Marine Science Institution were signed on 21st March 2007 at Parliament House by the Premier, Hon. Alan Carpenter and the UWA Vice-Chancellor, Alan Robson, on behalf of an unincorporated joint venture of 14 state, national, tertiary education and industry parties.  The official launch of WAMSI will be held on 18th May 2007 at the WA Maritime Museum.

Marine Scientist to study bottlenose dolphins in the South-West

Link to BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN MEDIA STATEMENT

0801_WAMSI-AMSA_Show_and_Tell_Southern_Surveyor_INVITATION_VF.pdf

0802_Annual_Node_Leader_Presentations_INVITATION_VF.pdf