Marine Biology Excursion

Year 11 Integrated Science 

On Wednesday, 24 February, the Year 11 Integrated Science classes enjoyed an excursion to Mettams Pool at Trigg beach.  

To prepare for the excursion, students became familiar with the Intertidal ecosystem, including the rocky shore and reef in Western Australia. They discussed the organisms that inhabit different areas of the reef and the adaptations these organisms have in order to survive the changing conditions. 

Students set up transects along the reef and waded through the water to record both abiotic and biotic information under the guidance of education officers from the WA Fisheries Department. 

After a pause at Hillary’s Boat Harbour for lunch, students moved on to the WA Fisheries & Marine Research Laboratories where they participated in a series of sampling technique activities, important for the management and sustainability of our aquatic resources.

“The excursion was educational, but at the same time fun. We were able to get into the water and measure the biotic factors of the reef”.                                               (Theo Varnavas)

“We were surprised to see a blue starfish near the shoreline during the transect study”.

   (Nihal Juggessur)

“The fish dissection in the lab was interesting. The removal of the otoliths was particularly interesting, because you can tell the age of a fish from the number of rings in the otoliths, like the rings in a tree trunk”.                                                                                  (Charlotte Brown)

“We tried the sampling techniques used to track the number of fish and shellfish along WA’s coast. The one for counting the number of baby rock lobsters was fun!”. 

(Amelie Momus)

We would like to thank Mr Price for driving the students to the excursion and for his assistance in the supervision of the activities.

Mrs Eloff and Ms Tersigni 

(Integrated Science teachers)