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Underwater footage recorded as part of The University of Western Australia's Marine Futures project , has been used to give a fish-eye view of the State's unique marine environment.

The four-minute online video, produced in collaboration with environmental alliance Save Our Marine Life, uses a combination of innovative technologies to reveal the amazing marine life of the relatively unknown underwater canyons and submerged mountain ranges of Western Australia's southern waters, where up to 90 percent of species are found nowhere else on Earth.

The video, " A Tour of Australia's South West Marine Region ," includes the following highlights:

• The Houtman-Abrolhos Islands , an incredible meeting place for tropical and cold water marine life;
• The Perth Canyon , larger than the Grand Canyon, is Australia's largest underwater canyon and one of only two places near Australia where the endangered Blue Whale is known to feed;
• The Naturaliste Plateau (off Margaret River) , Australia's "Atlantis," a massive island under the sea, thought to host unique marine life yet to be discovered;
• The Diamantina Fracture Zone , home to towering underwater mountains rising 5 km in height from the seabed, it is Australia's deepest and most mysterious area of ocean.

"This online video provides a valuable glimpse into the South West marine region, home to nationally and internationally significant ecosystems and marine life," said Professor Jessica Meeuwig, Director of UWA's Centre for Marine Futures.

"It is vital that this area is protected so that we are able to increase our knowledge and understanding of the habitats and organisms that lie otherwise hidden beneath the surface of the ocean."

Media references

Professor Jessica Meeuwig (+61 8)  6488 1464  /  (+61 4) 00 024 999
(UWA Centre for Marine Futures)
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716