Researchers from CQU’s Centre for Environmental Management (CEM) have been busy in Bundaberg's Woongarra Marine Park.

The researchers, which include staff from the CEM, volunteers from the Woongarra Marine Park Monitoring & Education Project as well as staff from Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service, have been able to record the coastal habitat using a series of transects from Burnett Heads to Elliott Heads.

The work has been undertaken using the Korrong, a 5.5 metre research vessel on loan from the University of Melbourne with a semi submersible 'pod' that can be lowered below the water. The vessel is then steamed at about 2 knots, whilst a recorder sitting in the pod enters data onto a lap top computer.

In this instance the data was both the substrate and benthic community, which is then integrated with a continuous stream of GPS or global positioning coordinates.

The data will now be analysed and overlaid on aerial photography in a cooperative project between Bundaberg’s Department of Natural Resources and Mines and the CEM.

The project was able to take place because of a $10,000 grant awarded to the Woongarra Marine Park Monitoring & Education Project by the University.

“After the grant was put up, it was amazing how many of the agencies offered to assist – with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Natural Resources and Mines both offering substantial support in kind to maximise the outcomes of the research,” said Sue Sargent, Reseach Officer with the CEM.

Sue has been coordinating the project with Ralph Roob, a PhD student from the University of Melbourne, who has been investigating the wider problem of analysing marine habitats, benthic communities and substrates using remote sensing techniques.

“The project will give a much better overall picture of what there is along the coast and I’ll admit there have been a few surprises – there was far more coral than any of us expected. With this sort of information available to coastal planners, there is no doubt that they will be able to make better decisions for the long term sustainable management of this area,” added Ms Sargent.

The team hopes that the project, which has been undertaken in less than three weeks, will act as a pilot study for other marine and estuarine research in this region.

For more information, please contact Sue Sargent, on 4150 7038 or Ralph Roob 0407 512 145.

Photos: (Left) Ralph Roob brings the Koorong back into Burnett Heads Marina with CEM Coxswain, Andrew Davis.

(Above) View from a pod - researchers are offered a 270 degree view of the aquatic habitat.