Monitoring sites were surveyed along permanent transect lines, photographed at 1 metre intervals
by AIMS
Diverse benthic communities were observed in the mesophotic zone at Ashmore Reef, including a mix of colourful sponges, gorgonians and soft corals
by Schmidt Ocean Institute / AIMS
The great spotted cowrie – discovered for the first time in Western Australia during the Ashmore Reef Mesophotic voyage
by Schmidt Ocean Institute / AIMS
Istigobius decoratus, known as the Decorated Sandgoby is found on sand patches near reefs.
by Ian Shaw
Halimeda beds in the shallow mesophotic at Ashmore Reef. These habitats are home to a diverse array of marine species and contribute greatly to the diversity of the reef.
by Schmidt Ocean Institute / AIMS
A wide diversity of tiny cryptic fishes are associated with lagoon bommies in the Coral Sea and at Ashmore Reef (NW Network), including the Neon Eviota (Eviota atriventris).
by Rick Stuart-Smith
The northern sites at Ashmore had some of the highest coral cover in 2016 and were dominated by tabulate, branching and foliose corals.
by AIMS
Communities at the northern sites at Ashmore Reef were worst affected by bleaching in 2016/17. Recently dead foliose corals were observed at this northern site in 2017.
by AIMS
Pleurosicya mossambica also known as the toothy goby or the Mozambique ghost goby is found on many substrates, including corals, sponges, giant clams and seaweeds, and can vary colour according to the substrate.
by Ian Shaw
The short-nosed sea snake, thought to be extinct in the Ashmore Reef region, was re-discovered during the voyage
by Schmidt Ocean Institute / AIMS