The Australian Government's Innovation Report

Australian Institute of Marine Science
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is one of the world’s most prolific and innovative marine
research agencies. AIMS is known for its unique capacity to investigate topics ranging from broad-scale ecology
to microbiology and consistently ranks among the top 1% of specialist research institutions internationally.
Highly specialised facilities, world-renowned staff and well-developed partnerships have secured the institute’s
position as a global leader in tropical marine science.
Riches run deep at Ningaloo Marine Park
A pioneering survey has unveiled rich and exotic marine life in the deep waters of Western Australia’s
Ningaloo Marine Park.
The first of three annual expeditions planned for the study revealed diverse sponge gardens as deep as
100 metres. Large specimens weighing up to 60 kilograms and several novel sponge species were among
the exciting discoveries.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science led this collaborative project, which was co-funded by the
Western Australian Government through the Ningaloo Research Fund, and is now incorporated into the
Western Australian Marine Science Institution. Other partners included the University of Western
Australia, Curtin University and the Western Australian Museum.
A key aim of the research is to provide new knowledge about marine life on and near the seabed in the
areas of the marine park that are inaccessible to divers. The new information is a priority for marine managers
to ensure comprehensive, adequate and representative protection of deep water habitats that conserve
the marine park’s biodiversity.
More than 100 kilometres of the northern sector of the marine park was examined in the survey, using a mix
of advanced underwater video equipment, acoustic mapping tools and more routinely used sled and grab
sampling devices. In addition, collaborators from the Centre of Excellence for Field Robotics at Sydney
University tested one of Australia’s most advanced
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles for deep water terrain
mapping. The vehicle used 3D stereo imaging to create a
picture of Ningaloo’s seabed communities.
Highly specialised sponges (some weighing up to 60 kg) were discovered at
Ningaloo Reef growing in deep waters nearly devoid of light – an unexpected
place to find these photosynthetic organisms. Photo credit: Sydney University’s
Centre of Excellence for Field Robotics
Hundreds of species were collected from representative
areas of the marine park. These collections are being processed
at the Western Australia Museum and will provide the
foundation for a seabed biodiversity database of Ningaloo’s
deeper waters. Further expeditions to explore the remaining
areas of the marine park are expected to add to the ongoing
species inventory of Ningaloo and to identify biodiversity
hotspots.
26 Backing Australia’s Ability