Marine Biodiversity of the Dampier Archipelago: Project Objectives

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 9 years ago

INTRODUCTION – The Western Australian Museum/Woodside Energy Ltd. partnership consisted of several field components. Major diving expeditions were undertaken in 1998 and 1999 to map the marine habitats of the entire Dampier Archipelago and study the marine fauna and flora of the region. Extensive information and material was collected for marine algae, fishes, echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans, corals, sponges and other marine invertebrate phyla. A dredging and trawling expedition was undertaken in 1999, to document the benthic marine invertebrate biodiversity of northwestern Australia and compare it with that of other areas of Australia. The mangroves on the Burrup Peninsula provided an opportunity to undertake seasonal studies on the functioning of marine invertebrates in this system. The first international marine biological research workshop in northwestern Australia was held in Dampier in July and August 2000.