AUSTRALIA—GERMANY WORKSHOP ON BIODIVERSITY

The Shine Dome, 13-17 March 2006

Deep-sea biodiversity research in Australia
by Dr Alan Williams, Research Support Scientist, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research

This talk will focus on deep-sea biodiversity research, particularly recent and planned surveys and the application of results to biodiversity conservation. Examples will be drawn from two major programs — surveys of sea mounts in the Tasman Sea and on Australia’s western margin — to illustrate Australia’s present capacity, the methodology and technology employed in the field, and the ways in which taxonomic results are integrated into the overall science program. The uptake of results in national marine management planning is demonstrated by progress made in developing a national representative system of Marine Protected Areas. Our track record in the deep ocean is underpinned by effective collaboration between Australia’s research organisations and government, however, gaps in our technical capacity and knowledge exist, and a number of exciting opportunities for collaboration can be identified.