Sonar maps reveal habitats in Bass Strait marine park

Mapping mission will inform future research efforts and understanding of rarely seen marine communities

Deakin University scientists in regional Victoria have used multi-beam sonar equipment to map the seafloor of the Apollo marine park in Bass Strait, south of Cape Otway in the state’s south-west.

During the eight-day voyage aboard Deakin’s research vessel MV Yolla, the team mapped more than 119 square kilometres of the park, which is a marine biodiversity hotspot for deepwater corals, sponges, whales and seabirds.