University of Western Australia
Exploration and science have brought to the surface so many of the ocean’s secrets, and increasingly the realisation that all life on earth is intrinsically linked to this precious resource.
Much about our oceans still remains an enigma but at UWA’s Oceans Institute scientists are leading exciting, novel research that is providing new insights about our relationship with the ocean and tackling the greatest challenges it faces. A philanthropic initiative ‘Oceans Supporters’ was established in 2021 and has 15 current members. These individuals hold a shared belief that innovative and high impact research is the key to ensuring the future sustainability of our ocean and coastal environments, including innovative sustainable development of the Blue Economy. Oceans Supporters, either individual or corporate, commit to support important, innovative marine research for three years.
Of the five inaugural projects, one led by Dr Mick O’Leary from the School of Earth Sciences will combine the best of Indigenous and scientific knowledge for the exploration of underwater rock art. Murujuga (Dampier Archipelago) is home to Australia’s two identified Indigenous Underwater Cultural Heritage Sites. Neither of these sites host rock art, yet terrestrial Murujuga is known to hold over a million petroglyphs (rock engravings) revealing a wealth of knowledge about Australia’s ancient Indigenous culture and prehistory.
To identify where best to search and rediscover lost submerged rock art, Dr O’Leary’s team will use a unique dual approach. Recreating an immersive virtual experience of reconstructed underwater landscapes using digital mapping and machine learning, and engaging with traditional Indigenous custodians to experience this virtual underwater environment, they will determine sites where diving exploration will occur.
Image: O'Leary and his team are using a unique approach to finding underwater Indigenous rock art
Support for cutting-edge innovative early career and post-doctoral oceans research is also provided through the Robson and Robertson Awards, founded by Oceans Institute Advisory Board Chair, Mr Jock Clough. The new wave of Robson and Robertson scholars are embracing the advice Mr Clough gave them at the recent awards night to “be bold and be persistent”.
With original research which addresses a multitude of challenges in marine biodiversity, fish supplies and fisheries sustainability, seagrass and kelp forest degradation and restoration, sustainable diets for aquaculture, hydrodynamic forces effects on coral reef restoration, plastic contamination in commercially important crustaceans, traditional Indigenous knowledge for mapping Kimberley rock lobster, ocean warmings effects on species migration and nurseries, and managing recreational fishing in World Heritage Area marine parks. All are set to restore habitats and ecosystems, and improve the way humans, and industry interact with our marine environments, to reverse this damage and restore the ocean and the life within it.
Mr Clough has also taken the next visionary step in this mission and partnered with UWA to establish the Jock Clough Marine Foundation Chair and Director of UWA’s Oceans Institute. This leadership role will enable the Institute to further develop and advance its multi-disciplinary collaborations, cementing its position on the global stage as a leading and enduring centre of expertise for the Indian Ocean Rim.
UWA’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amit Chakma, welcomed the announcement.
“Investing in the opportunities that oceans can deliver for a sustainable future is vital,” said Professor Chakma.
“We are deeply grateful for Mr Clough’s generosity and vision, which will help us strengthen the already outstanding international reputation of our Oceans Institute.”
If you are interested in finding out more about marine research at UWA, or supporting particular researcher projects, please contact Laura Burton, Development Manager on telephone +61 8 6488 4222 or via email [email protected]