Australia

Marine Biology Institutions and Conservation Organizations


The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) was established by the Commonwealth government in 1972 to generate the knowledge needed for the sustainable use and protection of the marine environment through innovative, world-class scientific and technological research. http://www.aims.gov.au/

The Australian Museum has an international reputation in the fields of natural history and indigenous studies research, community programs and exhibitions. The Museum was established in 1827 and is Australia's first museum, with unique and extensive collections of natural science and cultural artefacts. http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/

The AMCS (Formerly the Australian Littoral Society) is one of the leading conservation organisations in Australia, and is the only national group devoted solely to protecting the marine environment. It is a non-profit, non-government organisation that has a unique role in promoting the study and conservation of all aquatic life. The Society operates not through ownership of land or marine sites, but by promoting marine and aquatic conservation to the general public, user groups and decision-makers on the basis of soundly researched argument and scientific fact. http://www.amcs.org.au/

Marine Education Society of Australasia
MESA offers membership to anyone interested in or actively involved in education - in, about, or for the sea. More generally MESA aims to bring together those interested in the study and enjoyment of coastal and marine environments. Among our membership are people such as teachers, commercial marine operators, government department representatives, academics, surf riders, museum staff, aquarists, youth leaders, park rangers, fishers, marine scientists, environmental interpreters and the general public. http://www.mesa.edu.au/

Australian Society for Fish Biology
The Australian Society For Fish Biology was founded in 1971 with the intention of promoting fish studies and the interchange of information between fish biologists in a relaxed but effective manner. Annual Conferences have been held once every year since the Society's inception. They are now the highlight of the Society's calendar, providing a forum for members around Australia to meet and discuss their work. Since the first conference conducted by the Society in its own right, at Port Stephens in 1975, succeeding conferences have continued to be conducted most successfully, and in a relatively informal atmosphere despite consistent growth in both attendances and programs. http://www.asfb.org.au/


National Oceans Office
The National Oceans Office of the Australian Government has launched Australia's Oceans Policy in December 1998 to manage 16 million square kilometres of oceans between 3 and 200 nautical miles from the coast - Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone. The Policy recognises the need to maintain the oceans ecosystem health. It also recognises that the promotion of strong, diverse and internationally competitive marine industries so important to national and regional economies depends on the long-term ecological sustainability of a wide range of ocean uses. Australia's Oceans Policy sets out a vision of: Healthy oceans: cared for, understood and used wisely for the benefit of all, now and in the future. http://www.oceans.gov.au/


The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is the lead agency for Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area issues. The Authority is the principal adviser to the Commonwealth Government on the care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The goal of the GBRMPA is to provide for the protection, wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef in perpetuity through the care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/

Reef Education Center
Reef HQ is the largest living coral reef aquarium in the world. Reef HQ is a miniature version of the Great Barrier Reef and is the Reef Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Reef HQ was originally known as the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium. http://www.reefhq.com.au/

New South Wales Fisheries
NSW Fisheries is the State's principal aquatic resource conservation agency. They are responsible for conserving and managing fisheries resources, protecting fish habitats, promoting viable commercial fishing and aquaculture industries and promoting quality recreational fishing opportunities. To achieve these objectives, we perform research, educate the public and ensure compliance. http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/

Unique Marine Biology Areas in Australia

The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established in 1975, and it is the world largest marine protected area in the world. It is approximately 348,700 square kilometres in area and approximately 2,300 kilometres long, running from just north of Bundaberg to the tip of the Cape York Peninsula. The reef contains over 2,900 reefs which includes 760 fringing reefs, and 300 coral cays. There are also 618 continental islands, which were once part of the mainland. As the world's largest coral reef ecosystem the Great Barrier Reef is home to approximately: 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of corals, 4,000 species of molluscs, 500 species of seaweed, 215 species of birds, 16 species of sea snake and 6 species of sea turtle and some of the largest populations of dugong in the world.

Ningaloo Reef
The Ningaloo Reef is unique and one of the last healthy coral reef systems in the world. It sits half way up the West Australian coastline about 1100km north of Perth. The values of Ningaloo are profound. The area qualifies for World Heritage Listing, although this has not yet happened. The relative health of the area is primarily due to its isolation, but not for very much longer.

Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island is a 12,800ha subantarctic island 1500 km south-east of Australia. It is the only known locality in the world where part of the Earth's crust (lithosphere) from a major ocean basin is exposed above sea-level. It is also a magnificent habitat for wildlife such as elephant seals, penguins and other sea-birds such as albatrosses. Macquarie Island's global significance is largely geological:

It is the only known locality in the world where oceanic lithosphere formed at a normal mid-ocean spreading ridge environment is being exposed above sea-level within a major ocean basin. It provides a unique example of ocean crust uplifted as a result of transpression at a strike-slip plate boundary in an oceanic setting. The exposed rock sequence provides a uniquely complete section through the earth's oceanic crust to upper mantle rocks. The geological evolution of Macquarie Island began 10 million years ago and continues today with the island experiencing earthquakes and a rapid rate of uplift, all of which are related to active geological processes along the boundary between two plates. The island is unique in that its present geomorphology shows features of the marine erosion (raised beaches and benches) that have progressively affected its whole surface during uplift. This unique feature complements, and is a consequence of, its unique geological attribute of being uplifted sea-floor. It, therefore, has outstanding universal value in that it provides a unique opportunity to study, in detail, geological features and processes of oceanic crust formation and plate boundary dynamics above sea-level. The World Heritage values of the area are enhanced by huge congregations of wildlife, including penguins and seals. Macquarie Island is a rich haven for a range of subantarctic wildlife, specifically as a breeding site (being the only small speck of land in a large area of ocean). The major threats to this wildlife come largely from remote impacts, for example long-line fishing on albatrosses, and over-fishing and poaching in surrounding fisheries.

The Wilderness Society (National Campaign)
http://www.wilderness.org.au

Unique Creatures of the Region

Leafy Sea Dragon

Resembling a piece of drifting seaweed, and floating motionless in the water, the Leafy seadragon is a spectacular creature. Named after the dragons of Chinese myth, these rare bony fish, found only in Southern and Western Australian waters intrigue visitors in only a few aquariums throughout the world. Leafy seadragons are found in calm water that is approximately 50-54°F. Australians refer to them as the "Australian seahorse." Seadragons are difficult to locate because of their remarkable camouflage and secluded breeding areas in the seaweed-filled waters. The Leafy Sea Dragon, with green, orange and gold hues along its body, is covered in leaf-like appendages. Only the fluttering of tiny fins or the moving of one of its independently swiveling eyes reveals its presence. Like the seahorse, the male Sea Dragon carries as many as 150-200 eggs. After being deposited by the female, the eggs are carried in the honeycomb-shaped area (known as the brood patch), under the male's tail for approximately eight weeks. Leafy Sea Dragons are sometimes found dead on the beach, washed up in a clump of seaweed after a storm. Their flotation bladders are very fragile and cannot cope with any sudden changes in water pressure or depth, such as might occur during bad weather. Underwater World at Hillarys, Perth (Western Australia) is one of only three aquaria in the world to have legally and successfully kept leafy Sea Dragons on display. Any specimens illegally caught by amateurs usually die quickly because of their captor's inability to provide them with the correct live food daily.

Marine Biology Educational Programs

School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture
James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
James Cook University is unique in Australasia as the only tertiary institution with a discipline dedicated to specialised training in marine biology. This reflects its location in North Australia which provides access to a variety of tropical marine environments and a planning process that identifies marine science as a strategic growth area. Marine Biology is a discipline within the School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture and enjoys a close working relationship with other disciplines within the Biological Sciences Group. http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/mbiolaq/

Feedback? | [Edit Content]

|