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CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
Past Seminars

Seminar Abstract

Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Project: a progress report

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is the world’s largest marine protected area containing >200,000 square kilometres of shallow continental shelf habitats. Along with its iconic coral reefs, this section of the Marine Park includes a range of sedimentary environments, and shoal bottoms. While emergent coral reefs and intertidal seagrasses have received much attention, comparatively little is known about the deeper habitats.

From 2003 to 2006, the Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Project will sample sea floor habitats and their associated life at approximately 1,500 locations on the continental shelf. This information will have two major applications: mapping habitats and biodiversity patterns to support conservation objectives, and delivering risk-assessments to ensure that trawl fisheries within the Park are ecologically sustainable activities.

The Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Project is a major collaboration involving two research vessels, four research providers (AIMS, CSIRO, Queensland DPIF, Queensland Museum), and three funding agencies (CRC Reef, Fisheries RDC, National Oceans Office). Biological samples will be sorted in at least six laboratories, and Geosciences Australia will analyse the sediment samples for the national marine sediment database (MARS). The presentation will cover the history, sea-going operations, and progress of the Project to date.

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CSIRO = Marine Laboratories Auditorium, Castray Esplanade, Hobart

For further information, or to schedule a seminar, contact:
Peter Oke, (Oceanographic seminars) CSIRO Marine Research (03) 6232 5387
Keith Hayes, (Biological seminars) CSIRO Marine Research (03) 6232 5298
Katrina Nitschke, Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC (03) 6226 2265 & IASOS, University of Tasmania (03) 6226 2509