February 2013

"Surveying an Australian Marine Frontier'

Read the UWA Oceans Institute News story on the voyage to the proposed Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve.

"Researchers from The University of Western Australia’s Oceans Institute, the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Geoscience Australia (GA), and the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MGNT) have teamed up to map marine biodiversity in remote corners of the Timor Sea.

A 21-day survey on board the AIMS Vessel RV Solander, and undertaken under the auspices of the National Environmental Research Program Marine Biodiversity Hub yielded valuable insights into the distribution, abundance and richness of marine species within the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve, supporting the Australian Government’s marine bioregional plans."

Read the full story

More details about the survey including videos and image and can be found at http://www.nerpmarine.edu.au/rv-solander-blog

Image:  Killer whale.  Photo: Philippe Bouchet, UWA

16 January 2013

2013 Academy awards for scientific excellence announced

Philippe Bouchet, a PhD student at The University of Western Australia (and Marine Hub researcher) who is researching marine predators of the offshore Perth Canyon, has won an award from the Australian Academy of Science.

“It is the Academy’s privilege to recognise excellence in diverse fields of science,” said Academy President, Professor Suzanne Cory.

“These awards celebrate both career-long contributions by some of Australia’s most distinguished researchers and remarkable discoveries made by younger investigators.

“Each recipient is an outstanding scientist. On behalf of the Academy I warmly congratulate each of these individuals on their remarkable achievements in science.”

Philippe, who won the Academy's Margaret Middleton Fund for Endangered Australian Native Vertebrate Animals, said some predators found only in this part of the world were increasingly under threat and were vital for healthy marine ecosystems. They included some whales, dolphins, sharks and seabirds.

"This award is very important," Mr Bouchet, of UWA's Oceans Institute, said.

"It acknowledges the growing attention on Australia's oceans and the conservation of their wildlife and resources. Australia is home to some of the greatest biodiversity hotspots and most pristine environments on the planet."

Australian Academy of Science announcement, 16 January 2013

University of Western Australia news story, 5 February 2013 - "Aussie award for young French ocean scientist"

Philippe Bouchet's resume