Narelle Towie, Perthnow.com 5 Jan 08;
WA has arguably the most pristine coral reef remaining on the planet - and it's not Ningaloo.
Just 260km off Broome are Rowley Shoals, three atolls on the edge of one of the widest continental shelves in the world.
But with climate change, cyclones and illegal fishing all posing a risk, marine scientists have embarked on a three-year mission to protect one of our best-kept underwater secrets.
Just back from their first trip, the researchers found the reef was in excellent condition, but they feared illegal fishing was already happening.
They spotted suspicious-looking boats just days into their trip, but the vessels' origin could not be confirmed, WA Department of Environment and Conservation marine scientist Suzanne Long said.
Despite these sightings, organisms such as sea cucumbers, giant clams and trepang -- which are usually the first to suffer from illegal fishing -- were found in abundance, Dr Long said.
The DEC and Institute of Marine Science have put $450,000 towards protecting the area which they hope will put Rowley Shoals on the global map for coral reef conservation.
Armed with video cameras and diving gear, a team of 12 scientists spent 17 days collecting images and video footage to take back and study.
"We aim to collect information to manage the reefs better. This is critical in this era of climate change,'' Dr Long said.
The coral islands are bursting with silvertip and grey reef sharks, a species dangerously exploited just north of Rowley Shoals where shark fishing is permitted.
For the first time, tags have been attached to the dorsal fins of some of the sharks that will allow researchers to monitor their movements.
Researchers hope their studies will help them better manage species that are dwindling, as a result of poaching, on other reefs such as Ashmore and Scott.
A formal report of what researchers found at the atolls will not be issued for six months.
"The excellent condition of this marine wilderness is something that you don't see elsewhere,'' Dr Long said.
