Australia's reputation as a global leader in marine conservation is being put at risk by plans to strip back sanctuary areas within marine parks, say scientists from around the globe.
Surveying the bottom of the ocean turns out to be far from easy. But there was something wonderful about seeing animals we have only read about in old books.
Some sea animals with smooth shells can dig themselves into the sand in just a few seconds.
Flickr/jridgewayphotography
Maëlle, 7, wants to know why some shells are smooth, while others are corrugated. It turns out that while corrugated shells are strong, smooth shells can move fast.
Bottlenose dolphin tossing an octopus across the water during feeding off Bunbury, Western Australia.
Kate Sprogis
It's not easy to tackle a live octopus - so many arms, all those suckers! But some bottlenose dolphins have found a way to defuse and eat these eight-armed sea creatures.
Microplastics are a major ecological concern causing damage to marine life.
Shutterstock
Microfibres and microplastics are a massive problem for marine life. Once ingested, they
severely affect marine animals ability to eat. There's also concerns about their toxicity.
Giant clam shells seized by authorities in waters off Australia’s north.
NT government
Prized species such as sea cucumbers are increasingly being poached from Australian waters. But if foreign aid can give fishing crews alternative livelihoods, the problem could ease.
