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Narrator:
The ocean covers more than two thirds of our planet, and much of it is unique or unexplored.
Western Australia is blessed with a massive coastline, incredible biodiversity and a high proportion
of endemic species.
To truly understand the mysteries of the ocean, it’s important to piece together research from many
different disciplines. The University of Western Australia has brought together their marine
researchers into a multi-disciplinary integrated research centre: The UWA Oceans Institute.
The goal is to bridge the already existing research strengths in oceanography, ecology, engineering
and resource management, to allow for larger research programs that address science and resource
issues.
One of the major processes that influences every aspect of marine research off WA’s coast is the
Leeuwin Current. Within The UWA Oceans Institute, there are researchers whose work is focused at
sites all along this 5500 kilometre current.
Chari Pattiaratchi:
I’m Chari Pattiaratchi from the School of Environmental Systems Engineering.
The Leeuwin current is the longest boundary current in the world, extending from Northwest Cape
to Tasmania. It brings warmer, low salinity, low nutrient water into the west and the south coasts of
Australia. This controls all the physical processes as well as the biology and ecology of the West
Australian coastline.
We use ocean gliders to investigate the many properties of the Leeuwin Current. It goes out into the
ocean, we release it and it travels by itself, so it’s an autonomous underwater vehicle which we
leave out for periods ranging from one month to six months, depending on which glider we use.
During that time, it goes up and down the ocean, up to depths of 1000m, and transmits data realtime into the lab.
By collecting data over years, we can understand how year-to-year the changes are operating within
the ocean, and the biological response, as well as give us some idea of what changes we may expect
through climate change.
Narrator:
Near the start of the Leeuwin Current is the Northwest Cape, the site of WA’s booming oil and gas
industry.
Krish Thiagarajan:
Hi, I’m Krish Thiagarajan, Professor of the School of Mechanical Engineering at UWA, and I head the
near-shore and offshore research group at the Oceans Institute.
Here we are, in the process of setting up an experiment to simulate sloshing in marine tanks.
Sloshing occurs in tanks like it does in a coffee cup, only a lot more severe. This can result in damage
of insulation in LNG containment systems. One of the older style LNG carriers is shown here.
LNG and oil are also carried through pipelines which can be influenced by swirling currents around
them.
Narrator:
Ningaloo reef is an important study site, as it’s been relatively unaffected by anthropogenic
influences.
Malcolm McCulloch:
My name’s Malcolm McCulloch, I’ve just joined the University of Western Australia as Premier’s
Fellow. My job’s going to be to look at the effect of climate change in the marine environment, in
particular on coral reefs.
Western Australia’s a unique place to study this problem because we have corals all the way from
Ningaloo up north, and beyond that in the Kimberley, all the way down south to Perth.
The problem I’m going to look at in particular is the effect of ocean acidification on coral reefs. This
affects how corals calcify. The uptake of CO2 by surface waters is an ever-increasing problem as
atmospheric CO2 levels are continuing to rise. This is affecting how corals calcify.
By having a large range of corals to look at, this gives us insights into this process. So for the next few
years we’ll be undertaking coral coring and looking at how corals grow and react to this new threat
in terms of calcification processes in corals.
Narrator:
Particularly for Perth’s waters, societal context must be considered when developing resource
management plans.
Julian Clifton:
Hi, I’m Julian Clifton. I’m a Research Assistant Professor at UWA. I work in the Marine Management
and Conservation discipline at the Oceans Institute.
Increasing population and levels of disposable income are leading to heightened pressures on
Perth’s coastline. The number of recreational boats in the Perth area is projected to increase by 75%
to over 80,000 by the year 2025.
The development of marinas can lead to loss of near-shore habitat and requires careful evaluation
on a case-by-case basis. This underlines the need to engage in long term marine planning to cater for
the needs of all user groups.
Narrator:
The Centre for Marine Futures studies fish assemblage at many WA locations, including the Southern
Capes.
Jessica Meeuwig:
I’m Jessica Meeuwig, Research Professor and Director at the Centre for Marine Futures at UWA, and
part of a team studying fish and fisheries ecology.
With a splash, a baited video camera system is overboard at our sampling location. Within seconds it
has attracted Sampson fish, then coming to rest on the seabed where it will film for an hour. Schools
of silver drummer are common among the capes; the natural chemicals in their algal diets rendering
them poor eating.
Once brought back to the lab, we identify each fish to species and measure its length. These data
make an important contribution to our understanding of the state of our marine environment, and
help support management of iconic species, such as pink snapper and the endemic West Australian
jewfish.
Narrator:
By uniting existing strengths in marine science, the Oceans Institute will ensure that UWA continues
to achieve international excellence in marine research. The UWA Oceans Institute is a step forward,
a multidisciplinary research environment necessary to understand the intricacies of WA’s massive
coastline.
Through cohesive effort at the whole of university level, we’ll be able to make a valuable
contribution to maintaining the biodiversity in our resource rich environment.