• The most extensive survey of Kimberley marine fauna and flora to date
• Continuing  research project won the 2011 Premier’s Award for Excellence
• Eight-year project has so far discovered 79 new species and genera

The Western Australian Museum will lead a team of researchers to the Kimberley this week to continue an award-winning research project into the region’s unique marine life.

The joint project between the Western Australian Museum and Woodside Energy has been running since 2008, documenting the water quality, marine life distribution and genetic studies of Kimberley marine flora and fauna.

It is the most extensive marine biodiversity survey of the region and in 2011 was recognised by receiving the Western Australian Premier’s Award for Excellence.

The 18-day survey from October 10 - 25, 2012 will include fifteen researchers from the WA Museum, Queensland Museum, Museum Victoria, the Herbarium of WA and Curtin University.

The research will include sponges, corals, soft corals, marine plants, worms, crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms and fishes, as well as collecting water samples to gauge water quality from White Island to Jameson Reef, and Browse Island.

WA Museum chief executive officer Alec Coles said the three previous surveys conducted from 2009 to 2011 recorded 1,752 marine species, including 79 which are new to science.

“While the potential to discover new species is a great thrill - more importantly, this research enables scientists and researchers around the world to understand more about our oceans and to assess the conservation importance of the region and develop appropriate management strategies,” said Mr Coles.

By the end of 2014 the researchers will have studied more than 180 locations in the Kimberley amounting to 2,700 research hours on the reef.

Fact File:

• The 79 species new to science include shrimps, crabs, soft corals, seaweed, sap-sucking slug and a new genus of marine algae.
• The specimens from the Woodside Collection  - Kimberley research 2008-2015 are housed within the WA Museum collection.
• Previous trips are documented on the Marine Life of the Kimberley website: http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/kimberley

Satellite phone interviews with staff are available.

Videos and images documenting the research project will be available upon completion of the trip.

Niki Comparti
Western Australian Museum
6552 7805
niki.comparti@museum.wa.gov.au