Comparative marine biodiversity survey of the Rowley Shoals

A major marine biodiversity survey of the Rowley Shoals, led by the Australian Institute of Marine Science in collaboration with the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, was undertaken from 1-17 December 2007. The multidisciplinary survey aimed to collect data that could directly inform management of the Rowley Shoals Marine Park and the Mermaid Reef National Marine Nature Reserve. Three major research projects:* quantitative estimate/description of the condition of benthic communities of the Rowley Shoals by resurveying long-term benthic monitoring sites, and by quantifying the reefs' algal and soft coral biodiversity.* Quantitative survey of stocks of commercially important invertebrates holothurians, Trochus and giant clams.* Reef shark habitat use through acoustic tagging.