Inside Woodside's renewed collaboration with the WA Museum

The research will provide new insights into marine conservation and increase cultural and historical knowledge. It has the potential to lead to the discovery of many new species. The first phase of the project will focus on the examination of legacy material held in the WA Museum’s collections. This will allow the Museum research team to assess existing collections, identify knowledge gaps and determine key focus areas for research and fieldwork in the years ahead.

For the past 28 years, the community partnership between Woodside, WA Museum and the Foundation for the WA Museum has been pivotal in enhancing the understanding of Western Australia's unique marine biodiversity. Here are five highlights from the research collaboration:

• Researchers discovered more than 700 species new to science, including numerous new molluscs and a surprisingly large variety of corals, leading to the Kimberley coast being recognised as a nationally significant reservoir for coral biodiversity.
• A vast 575,000 km² – about 7.5 per cent of Australia – has been studied across 315 north-west marine sites.
• The WA Museum’s collections were enriched with 55,000 specimens representing more than 8,500 unique species.
• The collaboration has produced more than 160 peer-reviewed articles and eight books, alongside educational materials such as lectures, digital content, documentaries and school study guides.
• The research involved 147 scientists worldwide and supported vocational training for seven PhD candidates and 29 trainees.
  

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill highlighted the importance of the collaboration in enhancing understanding of northern Western Australia’s environment. “Our decades-long collaboration with the WA Museum has helped deepen the understanding of Western Australia’s unique marine ecosystems,” Meg said.

“The research supports conservation efforts and the sharing of knowledge with communities, governments, and regulators.