Expedition captures exciting images of marine life

While data is still being analysed, early documentation has captured the first recordings in the region at this depth of ribbon reefs, which provide critical micro-ecosystems for marine species.

Several fish species were recorded, including the rarely glimpsed knifejaw, swallowtails and spurdog sharks, as well as interesting sponge and delicate soft coral associations.

Marine life spotted above the sea depths included a black-browed albatross, which as a sub-Antarctic species not commonly seen in South Australia.

A collaboration between the state and federal governments, the six-day voyage was part of state and Commonwealth marine parks monitoring and compliance programs.

It presented an opportunity to learn more about deeper marine habitats in Australian marine parks, with the findings to contribute to the management of marine parks in the region.

The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) led the expedition, which aimed to increase scientists’ understanding of the connectivity between a state marine park and a federal park, and to support their management.

The research team was able to document the rich marine life that lives in the deepest parts of these two marine parks off the west coast of Kangaroo Island.

It was also the first time in South Australia that high-tech equipment such as the Baited Underwater Remote Video Systems (BRUVS) was deployed at depths of greater than 100 metres.

The two marine parks were of particular interest as they are important areas of deep water upwelling and support a range of marine life.

DEW Marine Science Team Leader Danny Brock said the department was the state leader in the use of BRUVS, with more than 1000 deployments around South Australia in the past decade as part of the existing South Australian Marine Park Monitoring Program across 19 state-managed marine parks.

“The expedition targeted this important area where an offshore Australian marine park national park zone abuts a state marine sanctuary zone in South Australia,” Mr Brock said.

“The zones afford the highest level of protection and are therefore areas of high conservation value.

“The aim of the expedition was to gather baseline biodiversity information on fish assemblages and habitats using BRUVS and we were very successful in our endeavours, although there is still more than 50 hours of footage to undergo analysis.”

Western Kangaroo Island Marine Park is one of 58 Australian Marine Parks managed by Parks Australia that help protect Australia’s offshore marine habitats and species and support the long-term sustainability of our marine industries.

Assistant Secretary for the Marine Parks Branch at Parks Australia, Jason Mundy, said voyages into Australian marine parks remained a key part of Parks Australia’s marine science program, helping to better understand and protect Australia’s offshore marine environment.

“By working in partnership to undertake research in these exposed marine environments and by harnessing the skills and resources of each agency, we are achieving greater outcomes,” Mr Mundy said.

The expedition was conducted aboard the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) compliance vessel the FPV Southern Ranger.