We worked with BP, the South Australian Research and Development Institute, University of Adelaide and Flinders University to unlock the mysteries of the Great Australian Bight's vast area of ocean and coast.
Discovering the Great Australian Bight
The Great Australian Bight is a unique environment that is home to a variety of iconic marine species and supports Australia's largest commercial fishery for southern bluefin tuna.
A wandering Albatross, Diomedia exulans flying over ocean waves.
A wandering Albatross, Diomedia exulans flying over ocean waves.
The area also houses an abundance of marine resources and wealth which can be realised for the benefit of all Australians.
More than 85 per cent of known species in the region are found nowhere else in the world. However, until now, relatively little was known about this vast body of water and how it supports such diverse marine life. We have to know what is there and understand how the ocean system works to be able to predict and measure any environmental impact resulting from development.
The Great Australian Bight research program
Through a $20 million, four-year project, we conducted studies to transform the deep ecosystems of the Great Australian Bight from one of Australia's least studied environments to one of the most well-known, to improve our understanding of the environmental, economic and social value of the Great Australian Bight.
Conducted from 2013-2017, the project brought together multidisciplinary research teams comprising more than 100 scientists and technical staff.
New scientific knowledge has been developed for:
This Program has provided new scientific tools and a benchmark for future scientific studies, monitoring programs and management advice.
The results have been provided for the benefit of stakeholders, such as Commonwealth and state regulators and governments, and a diverse range of research, community and environmental groups.
The Great Australian Bight Research Program 2013 - 2017 final report [pdf · 3mb]
Check out this video of our researchers collecting samples in the Great Australian Bight.
We partner with small and large companies, government and industry in Australia and around the world.