Census to measure Antarctic marine life

The Hobart-based Australian Antarctic Division is to coordinate the biggest marine life survey of its kind in Antarctica.

It will involve up to 30 countries, with 15 research ships and about 200 scientists over the summer of 2007-2008.

Antarctic Division chief scientist Professor Michael Stoddart says the census is part of a bigger 10-year study of the world's marine life.

"Never before has there been a survey where everyone has worked in the same way, using exactly the same sampling devices and gear, so that you can get an overall snapshot," he said.

"That's our objective, to get an overall snapshot which will be a benchmark against which we can look at the effects of future climate change and so forth."

Professor Stoddart says the international census could reveal new species.

"We want to work in deep water, that's 3,000 metres or more, up on the continental shelf, at say a thousand metres, and then the waters closer to the shore which will, or should get us in under the ice," he said.

Source: www.abc.net.au