i26 EIGHTH PACIFIC SCIENCE CONGRESS 



(vi) Estuarine ecology. Preliminary steps were taken to implement 

 a programme of ecological studies in east Australian estuaries and la- 

 goons. It is considered that there are possibilities of increasing fish pro- 

 duction in these waters by control of environment of fish populations 

 or both. 

 D. Fouling of siibmers;ed structures:— 



The principal fouling organisms of the east coast were identified, 

 and attention is being given to periodicity of settlement and rates of 

 growth. 



Antarctic Research 



The Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition has main- 

 tained physical and biological research stations at Macquarie and Heard 

 Islands since 1948. The oceanographic work at Heard Island has com- 

 prised a survey of the plankton and hydrological conditions in the re- 

 gion of the island and a programme on marine fouling problems. Be- 

 cause of the hazardous boating conditions at Macquarie Island very 

 little work on plankton and hydrology has been attempted there. How- 

 ever, some plankton hauls have been done and a programme of littoral 

 ecology is being carried out. 



Sea water temperatures have been taken at three-hourly intervals 

 during the voyages to and from Australia by the relief vessels which visit 

 the islands each year. 



Sea elephants and sea birds visit these islands in large numbers to 

 breed. The biology of these animals has been studied in some detail, 

 wholesome work has been done on visiting species, such as the Leopard 

 Seal. Reports on these projects are being compiled and will be pub- 

 lished in the Expedition's own series of publications. 



The main feature of the biological programme for the immediate 

 future is a limnological study at Macquarie Island. 



The Australian Government has approved an extension of the Ex- 

 pedition's activities to the Antarctic mainland, in the Australian Sector. 

 The programme for the summer of 1953-54 covers investigations of a 

 preliminary character in geographical exploration and mapping, and 

 the main investigations in physics, geophysics, and biology will com- 

 mence in the second year. 



