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Marine scientists discover marine life is thriving on scuttled navy destroyer
An environmental study conducted by USC senior lecturer, Dr Thomas Schlacher on the navy destroyer ex-HMAS Brisbane off Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast has established that marine life is thriving on the sunken ship.
The study was commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency EPA, and conducted in July 2006 in conjunction with the Biodiversity group of Professor John Hooper from the Queensland Museum.
Dr Monika Schlacher from the Queensland Museum says it is amazing that only one year after the sinking of the ship the entire superstructure and deck areas of the former navy destroyer HMAS Brisbane are covered with a rich abundance of marine life - oysters and barnacles are providing microhabitats for numerous small animals, such as juvenile rock lobsters, banded coral shrimps, crabs, sea urchins, feather stars, starfish, and small fish.
The vertical sides of the hull and the superstructure present a colourful cornucopia of animals due to a covering of bright red and yellow encrusting sponges, as well as striking orange and white lace corals.
Inspection inside the ship revealed numerous small barnacles, sea squirts, fan worms and several species of sea fir.
After diving on the wreck this month, scientists from the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Queensland Museum have so far recorded 15 species of sponges, four species of sea fir, six species of crustacean, 13 species of sea squirts, nine species of lace corals, and several other animals, such as the black feather star, sea urchins and molluscs.
The wreck has also become an important habitat for fish. Huge numbers of fish congregate over, around and inside the ship.
Over 130 species have been recorded by the fish expert Dr Jeff Johnson from the Queensland Museum including large Spotted Eagle Rays that patrol in midwater around the wreck, and Blotched Fantail Rays that prey on small animals winnowed from bottom sediments by currents swilling around the ends of the ship.
Schools of predatory kingfish and trevally quietly mill around the ship, but periodically raid the thick shoals of fusiliers above, and cardinalfish within.
There are brightly coloured wrasses, bigeyes, damselfishes and butterfly fishes enliven the decks, while processions of rabbit fish barber and control the ship’s thick coat of filamentous algae.
It is amazing to see several species of fangblennies displaying to mates above the deck, but then quickly retreating into abandoned barnacle shells when threatened.
From there, under and around the hull, mangrove jacks, surgeonfish and groups of young red emperor are always present to greet divers.
On ascent, curious Unicorn Leatherjackets and batfish can usually be found patrolling the mooring ropes and buoys.
“The findings from the survey provide ample proof that the wreck has become an important addition to nearshore habitats on the coast, supporting a rich biodiversity in the area”, says Dr Thomas Schlacher, and no doubt the wreck has not only become the focus of the diving enthusiasts but appears to be equally attractive to marine critters small and large.