Leeuwin Current

Leeuwin Current
The Leeuwin current is the longest continuous coastal current system in the world. It
originates near Western Australia’s North West Cape and flows southward towards Cape
Leeuwin before turning eastwards into the Great Australian Bight. Along your journey
through AQWA today you will trace the movement of the Leeuwin current from the Great
Southern region to its origin in the Far North, and follow the signs to find examples of the role
the current plays in the distribution of marine life along the coastline of Western Australia.
What impact does the Leeuwin current have on the marine environment of Western
Australia? What type of marine life is affected?
Great Southern - Augusta
Type of marine life: _________________________________________________________
Effect of Leeuwin Current: ____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Shipwreck Coast - Kirki Oil Spill
Type of marine life: _________________________________________________________
Effect of Leeuwin Current:____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Marmion Marine Park - Marine ARC Turtle Pool
Type of marine life:_________________________________________________________
Effect of Leeuwin current: ____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Coral reef (Rottnest Island)- Unique Mix
Type of marine life: _________________________________________________________
Effect of Leeuwin Current: ____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
In general, how does the Leeuwin current contribute to the diversity of marine life found off
Perth?___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Sand
Not only is sand made up of ancient coral reefs, old shells, eroded rocks and the crushed up
skeletons of crustacean but it is alive with micro organisms and home to a multitude of marine
life. Burrowing is a common strategy used by animals to both hide and resist the pressure of
ocean currents. On your journey along the coastline of Western Australia look out for
information on the following animals and write down how each of them interacts with the sand.
Perth Coast - Alkimos
Slipper Lobster: ____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Perth Coast - Scarborough
Blackspot Goatfish: ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Perth Coast - Cockburn Sound
Snake Eel: _______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Perth Coast - Cockburn Sound
Tube Anemone: ____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Far North - Mermaid Reef
Seacucumber:_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Far North - Coral Lagoon
Dwarf Hawkfish: ___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Marmion Marine Park - Mettam’s Touch Pool
Western Stingaree: _________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Marmion Marine Park - Stingray Bay
Stingrays: ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Fish Shapes
Not all fish look the same!
Complete the picture of a Seadragon and then compare its fins and body shape to that
of the Skipjack Trevally.
Seadragon
Skipjack Trevally
List some of the major differences between the shapes of the two fish
• __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
• __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Which fish do you think could swim the fastest and why?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
What is the importance of the Seadragon’s leafy appendages?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Coral Reef
1. What are the 3 water conditions that effect what shape a coral will grow?
D_________ Hint: this is to do with positioning in the water.
C_________ Hint: this would affect how far we could see in water.
S_________ Hint: this is to do with movements in the water.
2. Name the 4 common SHAPES used to describe hard corals:
Mo______ Br_______ Pl______ Va______
3. Which is the: weakest shape? ______________ strongest shape?_______________
4. How do daisy corals and other soft corals find food?
____________________________________________________________________
5. How is this different to how hard corals get food?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
6. How does coral reproduce and how often does it occur?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
7. How do corals defend their territory? Name two different mechanisms.
a)_______________________________________________________________
b) ______________________________________________________________
8. How do coral reefs create marine biodiveristy?
_____________________________________________________________________
9. What are the traditional indigenous place names for Fremantle and Rottnest?
_____________________________________________________________________

Where am I?
Can you use the clues below to identify what AQWA region you are in?
• The coastal landscapes are as ancient as the earth itself.
• Some of the animals that inhabit this region can reach over 7m in size!
• Animals lie motionless on the bottom ready to ambush any passing prey.
I’m in AQWA’s _________________________________ region.
This region covers the latitudes of ________ to _________ O South
• Huge granite shores have been shaped by massive waves from the icy waters of Antarctica.
• In Oyster Harbour indigenous locals caught fish using stone traps instead of hooks.
• Animals cling to jetty pylons and fish bury themselves in the sand below.
I’m in AQWA’s _________________________________ region.
This region covers the latitudes of ________ to _________ O South
• In these temperate waters you can find limestone reefs which have both supported and
threatened life.
• Cold water from Antarctica mixes with warm water brought down from the tropics by the
Leeuwin Current.
• Animals may hover above the seafloor.
I’m in AQWA’s _________________________________ region.
This region covers the latitudes of ________ to _________ O South
• Nutrients from the land travel out the river and mix with the salt water of the Indian Ocean
creating a rich region of marine life.
• The reefs of today are often the submerged sand dunes of yester year.
• Animals hide in caves or drift with the ocean currents.
I’m in AQWA’s _________________________________ region.
This region covers the latitudes of ________ to _________ O South