Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman today congratulated the Western Australian Museum and industry partner, Woodside Energy Ltd on a groundbreaking 20-year collaboration that has provided a powerful bank of knowledge of one of WA's, and the world's, most incredible marine biodiversity hotspots.
Since it began in 1998, the partnership has expanded to include more than 140 scientists from 25 countries, 19 Australian and international museums, 43 Australian and international universities, 17 State and Commonwealth government agencies, and 23 industry and private partners.
Researchers have surveyed 315 sites across 575,000 square kilometres of ocean off the Kimberley coastline, collected more than 55,000 marine animal and plant specimens, and discovered more than 700 species new to science.
The research has won 11 WA and national awards for excellence in science, environment, business and technology; and more than 50 million people worldwide have viewed the exhibitions, documentaries, publications, lectures, articles, live fieldwork feeds, websites and educational resources produced.
The knowledge gained is being used by managers, decision-makers and the community to contribute to biodiversity conservation and natural resource management, and will help guide the future of sustainable development, business and conservation policies and the assessment of natural heritage values.
Material collected during the project partnership is housed at the Western Australian Museum, and available to scientists and researchers around the world. Work to examine and identify the specimens collected is continuing.
As noted by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"I congratulate the Western Australian Museum and Woodside Energy Ltd for leading the way in demonstrating the power of effective collaboration.
"This hugely successful partnership is an excellent example of how government and industry can work together for the benefit of all Western Australians.
"The project has brought together some of the world's most esteemed marine scientists, and the wealth of information they have generated will benefit the people of Western Australia for generations to come."
