Year 9 Dive into Marine Science at Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
Our Year 9 Marine Science students swapped the classroom for the coastline, heading to Shoalwater Islands Marine Park for a full-day field experience as part of their Term 4 studies.
The excursion focused on the importance of Marine Parks, especially the conservation of Little Penguins, and gave students the chance to see firsthand how wildlife, recreation, and tourism all interact within this unique environment.
Exploring a Unique Marine Habitat
Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and Penguin Island are home to an incredible range of marine life, from the west coast’s largest colony of Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) to Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, Australian sea lions, and a variety of seabirds, including caspian, crested, and bridled terns.
The area’s natural beauty, combined with popular activities such as boating, fishing, and island tours, provided the perfect setting for students to consider how these ecosystems can be enjoyed responsibly while remaining protected.
A Day on the Water
The highlight of the excursion was the one-hour adventure cruise through Shoalwater between the mainland and nearby islands.
From the ferry, students observed a lively colony of male sea lions on Seal Island – some sunbathing, others swimming and rolling about on the beach. They spotted an osprey tending to her chicks, nesting seabirds on Bird Island, and even fossilised remnants of an ancient tuart forest preserved in limestone. Visible roots and tree trunks offered a fascinating glimpse into the region’s geological past.
Fieldwork and Conservation in Action
Students explored how habitats across the Marine Park support wildlife and how human activities, such as fishing and tourism, can influence them. They practised transects and quadrats to measure microplastics along the mainland beach, helping them understand pollution’s impact on marine ecosystems.
To experience life as zoologists, students also practised how to “process” little penguins using models. They carefully “handled” the penguins, measured bill and flipper size, recorded mass, and logged data, mirroring real conservation fieldwork.
A Passion for Marine Science
Although wildlife officers could not attend this year, teacher Joanne Priest stepped in, sharing stories from her time radio tracking Little Penguins over 30 years ago in the same area. Her insights into penguin behaviour and conservation made the experience even more meaningful.
The day gave students a deeper appreciation for marine ecosystems and the vital role of conservation in protecting Western Australia’s unique coastal wildlife.
- Featured, LittlePenguinsConservation, MarineEcosystems, MarineScienceExcursion, OutdoorLearning, SantaMariaCollege, ShoalwaterIslands, StudentLife, Year9Fieldwork
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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