Science Focii

Although not restricted to the following, the observational data will have significant input to research by the participating scientists and management agencies into the following questions:

• The variability of the Leeuwin current and its response to the ENSO cycle
• Leeuwin Current eddies and their interaction with the shelf waters.
• Interaction between Leeuwin Current, Capes Current and coastal current during the summer.
• High density plumes transporting nearshore and shelf water offshore
• An important region for Western Rock lobster recruitment
• The Perth Canyon - highest marine biodiversity in the region with whale and fish aggregations, high primary and secondary production which are controlled by the physical oceanographic processes
• Rottnest Island wake - topographically induced upwelling and associated primary and secondary productivity
• Region is influenced by Swan River outflow, submarine groundwater discharges and a wastewater outlets
• A low tidal range with the coastline subject to strong sea breezes and intense winter storms
• Coastally trapped waves generated by the winter weather systems and by tropical cyclones