Cappo, Heyward, Speare GOALS: To map the benthic habitats, and record the associated fish, shark and ray faunas, of the major clusters of Timor Sea shoals at 3 depth zones : 20-30m, 40-60m and 90-110m. APPROACH: Towed camera footage and real-time seabed classifications [substratum,major benthic groups present (eg seagrass,sponge gardens, gorgonians, hard corals, occurrence of individual benthic animal (eg crabs, starfish, clams)] has been obtained from 3 shoals near Evans Shoal, 6 Karmt shoals and 6 Sahul shoals ; as well as 4 adjacent sites in 96-100m on the continental shelf. BRUVS have been deployed at these same 3 depth zones: 20-30m, 40-60m and 90-110m at 3 shoals near Evans Shoal, 6 Karmt shoals and 6 Sahul shoals; as well as 4 adjacent sites in 96-100m on the shelf. 6 BRUVS were set in a line and towed camera footage was obtained during 3 replicate tows amongst this set of BRUVS. Multivariate statistics will be used to explore associations amongst fish and the benthic habitats they are found in. HIGHLIGHTS TO DATE: · Shallows dominated by extraordinarily rich benthos down to >70m · Shallows have moderately diverse fish faunas, lacking large economically-important sharks, serranids, lutjanids and lethrinids · Deepest zones have most abundant fauna of larger fish in these 3 families · Sharks notably absent c.f. other similar regions (eg Rowley Shoals), and most seen were pups · Several species of lutjanid and serranid recorded for first time in Aust. waters · New photographs obtained of species never filmed underwater before (eg Wattsia, Epinephelus morrhua) · Juvenile lethrinids abunadnt in dense seagrass beds at depth · Seagrass detritus visible down to 100m

The Montebello Islands were surveyed by the Western Australian Museum (WAM) from 9th-27th August 1993 on behalf of CALM (now Department of Environment and Conservation). All major habitats were sampled by 45 stations for the following fauna: scleractinian coral, echinoderms, molluscs, fishes and crustaceans.

Both desktop reviews and field surveys were undertaken to elaborate the biodiversity issues that may need to be considered during petroleum exploration and devlopment activites in permit area WA-271-P. This area is approximatley 35km north-northwest of the Cape. Two field surveys, in march 2001 and 2002 sampled seabed biota in depths bewteen 50-1000m, from the permit area shorewards towards the Murion Islands. The 2001 survey collected and lodged 778 voucher specimens with the WA Museum. The 2002 survey revisited the same area, but focussed on ground truthing a seabed hardness map produced by Fugro, to elucidate the complex spatial patterns of bottom hardness and variation in biota that were observed in the first survey. A total of 6 reports were lodged

To document the marine flora and fauna of the Kimberley region, and to make the information available to the public and scientific community. Survey focused on islands and reefs between Montgomery Island and Cassini Island. NOTE: survey boundary was not defined in report

Eight scientific staff of the Western Australian and Northern Territory Museums completed a survey of 37 marine, five freshwater and two terrestrial stations in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Habitats were sampled for a variety of invertebrate taxa and for fish. This report includes species inventories for most of the taxa sampled. More than 170 species of hard corals, 82 species of echinoderms, 317 species of molluscs, 139 species of decapod crustaceans, 49 species of barnacles, 67 species and higher taxa of polychaete worms and 324 species of fishes were recorded. The Kimberley has quite a high diversity of marine habitats which are dominated by the effects of strong tidal currents and high turbidity resulting in a relatively low faunal diversity. Comments are included on future management options for Kimberley marine ecosystems.

Christmas Island intertidal habitat and all subtidal habitats to 20m were surveyed by the Western Australian Museum from 10-24 February 1987. Fauna surveyed included hermatypic corals, molluscs, decapod crustaceans, echinoderms and fishes.

In 2002, Oceanwise Environmental scientists initiated a baseline marine ecological survey of Bateman Bay, Ningaloo Reef. Research was conducted in collaboration with Murdoch University. A variety of methods were used including manta tow surveys, video transects and baited videos, random spot dives, intensive transects and incidental sightings or observations. Data were collected on the physical environment, macroalgae, seagrass, plankton, coral, molluscs, fish, the intertidal zone, turtles and marine mammals. Report can be downloaded from this metadata record

Undertake fauna trapping and flora specimen collections on Faviourit Island and mainland coastal sites within Jurien Bay Marine Park and Faure Island and mainland coastal sites within Jurien Bay Marine Park and Faure Island and mainland coastal sites within Shark Bay Marine Park to obtain information on weight, sex and removal of hair samples, to research coastal biodiversity and impact of marine production subsides upon arid coastal environments.

This report describes the results of the third and final expedition to the Kimberley to document the marine flora and fauna of the area. The expedition took place in November-December 1996 with the assistance of a grant from the National Estates Grant Program. Twenty-four stations were examined. Detailed notes are presented on the station locations and habitat types present. At each station algae, seagrasses, molluscs, fish, crustacea and corals were collected and notes were made on the few mangroves observed in this area. 3.Five areas of particular significance were found. These were: - Station 5, Hedley Island - coral pools, fish, algae and general diversity. - Station 11, Low Water, East Montelivet - extensive coral/coralline reef flat with high diversity coral cover. Large pools, with spectacular coral cover and fish. - Station 13, East side, Cassini Island - geomorphology and coral cover. Station 21, Wild Cat Reefs, eastern reef, west side - high algal diversity. - Station 22, The Breakwater, Montgomery Reef - special reef. This report provides an extensive section outlining the coastal geomorphology of the central Kimberley. There have been no published records of the marine algae which occur in the Kimberley. This report provides details of ca. seventy species collected during the expedition. Coralline algae are poorly known and species in this group are currently being worked on taxonomically. One hundred and forty four species of scleractinian corals, 292 species of molluscs, 89 species of non-caridean decapod crustaceans and 80 species of caridean shrimps, 228 species of fish and 19 barnacles were recorded. Potentially new species were found in several groups. The taxonomy of many of the groups collected is poorly known. Material was obtained for specialists in particular groups in Australia and overseas. The material has been sorted and sent to the specialists for examination and determination of species. This work is complex and time consuming, so it has not been possible to provide identifications for this report. However, the material is currently being worked up and will be presented in the scientific literature when it has been completed.

Benthic lifeform and substrate monitoring data from 1993 onwards, held in the RM_VPOINT table of the NMPMP database. Percentage cover of different substrate types and benthic organisms (particularly corals), identified to benthic group or lifeform level. Videos are made along fixed transects and data is analysed from stills on a large video screen halted at specified time intervals. The AIMS LTMP monitors about 50 selected reefs throughout the Great Barrier Reef. Transects are recorded at 3 sites per reef, and 3 50m transects per site. Visual transect data is stored in a separate table, and described as a separate but related dataset.