Marine Monitoring
What is the main purpose of marine monitoring?
To observe and track changes in marine environments over time.
What happens to sea levels when global temperatures rise?
Sea levels rise due to melting ice and thermal expansion.
What does “sustainable fishing” mean?
Catching fish at a rate that allows populations to replenish.
Name a common dangerous marine animal found in Australia.
Examples: blue-ringed octopus, box jellyfish, stonefish, sharks.
What are coral reefs made of?
Colonies of tiny animals called polyps that build calcium carbonate skeletons.
Name one tool used to measure water quality.
pH meters, thermometers, salinity meters, or dissolved oxygen sensors. (Potentially others...)
What is ocean acidification?
When the ocean absorbs CO₂, lowering its pH and becoming more acidic.
Name one example of a sustainable seafood choice.
Options include: farmed mussels, sustainably caught tuna, or MSC-certified fish.
What should you do if you see a shark while swimming?
Stay calm, don’t splash, move slowly to shore or a boat.
What organism lives inside coral and provides it with energy?
Zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae).
What is a transect line used for?
To count and record organism abundance along a straight line in the environment.
How does warming ocean water affect marine species?
It can cause stress, migration, bleaching, or death.
What is bycatch?
Unintended species caught while fishing.
What behaviour makes the box jellyfish particularly dangerous to swimmers?
It has long, almost invisible tentacles that can deliver powerful venom, and it often drifts close to shore in warm, calm waters.
What causes coral bleaching?
Stress (often heat) causes corals to expel their zooxanthellae.
Why do scientists take repeated samples at the same site?
To compare changes and identify trends in environmental conditions.
Why are polar ecosystems especially threatened by climate change?
They rely on stable ice, which is rapidly melting.
How can marine protected areas (MPAs) help sustainability?
They protect habitats and allow populations to recover.
Why can a sudden increase in a harmless species near a beach lead to higher risks from dangerous marine creatures?
Predators often follow their food, so more prey near shore can attract large or venomous marine animals.
Why are coral reefs important to humans?
They support fisheries, tourism, and protect coastlines.
What is “remote sensing” in marine monitoring?
Using satellites or drones to collect data about the ocean without direct contact.
How can climate change disrupt marine food webs?
By altering species distribution, reproduction, and abundance, breaking predator–prey relationships.
What is the purpose of an environmental impact assessment (EIA)?
To predict environmental effects of a project before it begins and reduce harm.
What is a non-lethal method used to reduce shark attacks?
Shark spotters, drone surveillance, SMART drumlines, or exclusion nets.
What is one adaptation that helps corals survive in low-nutrient water?
Their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, which produce food via photosynthesis.