Ocean resources

Periwinkles are a marine snail. They belong to the mollusc family. They are found in the tidal zone on rock platforms all over the east coast of Australia. Periwinkles can be found surviving as far as 10 metres from the high tide line, where spray from wave action is present. Periwinkles feed on algae found growing on rocks and plants in sea water. They lay eggs to reproduce. The larvae are washed out to see when hatched. Periwinkles can travel up to 12 meters in search of food, which is a long way when you are only 15mm long. They live in large clusters to help prevent drying out.

Purple sea urchins are found along the length of the east coast of Australia. They are covered in spines as a way to defend themselves against predators. The round body of a sea urchin is called a 'test'. It uses its tiny tube-like feet to walk along the sea floor. It also uses it's feet to breathe. Sea urchins eat kelp. They are considered a delicacy and are collected by humans for food. In many places there are limits to how many sea urchins can be collected to try and protect the species.

Bimbla is a type of cockle commonly found around the Sydney area. It can be found as far north as southern Queensland and as far south as Victoria. It is mostly found in mangrove and tidal areas. Bimbla are filter feeders. This means they take in water and collect the tiny food particles found in the water. They can filter up to 1.5 litres of water an hour. Bimbla are one of the few mollusc species with red blood.

Mussels are a type of mollusc commonly found around the southern edges of Australia. They are generally found in the tidal areas up to 20m deep and are a common food source for humans. Mussels live in large clusters called 'beds' and attach themselves to reefs, rock platforms and man made structures like a jetty.

Oysters are a mollusc that is found in tidal inlets, bays and estuaries from the mid-Queensland coast to the Victorian coast. They are found on rock and reef structures up to 3 metres below the low tide mark. Oysters are filter feeders. They eat tiny plankton and algae particles. When the larvae are born, they can swim through the water for up to 3 weeks. When they settle on a suitable surface their 'foot' attaches and is absorbed by the oyster. Oysters are a food source for a variety of animals including fish, sting rays and starfish. They are also farmed by humans for food.

Abalone are a type of marine snail. Their shells are flat spirals with special holes along the outer edge to allow the abalone to breath through their gills. Abalone are herbivores. They eat red and brown algae. Abalone reproduce by laying eggs. Abalone are found along the east coast of Australia, both in the tidal zone and the deeper water. They are a popular food source for humans, who also use their opalescent shells for jewellery.

The White's seahorse is found along the coast of New South Wales but is most common in the waters of Port Hacking, Sydney Harbour and Port Stephens. The species is named after John White, Surgeon General to the First Fleet. The White's seahorse can grow up to about 16 cm long and can change it's colour depending on the habitat it is living in, to help it camouflage. Sea horses are known as one of the slowest swimming fish in the ocean. They use their tails to grip and hold onto objects such as coral, seaweed or sponges, or artificial habitats like nets and ropes. They feed on tiny animals such as plankton, shrimp, fish and crustaceans.

Port Jackson sharks are found throughout southern waters of Australia. They are found in rocky environments on or near the bottom. They are a blunt headed fish with banded markings across the head and back towards the dorsal fin. Port Jackson sharks eat shellfish, molluscs and fish and crustaceans. Port Jackson sharks lay spiral shaped eggs. The female uses her mouth to wedge the eggs into spaces in and around rocks. The eggs take 10-12 months to hatch. Port Jackson sharks live for 11-14 years. They are considered harmless to humans however can give a painful bite if threatened.

Humpback whales are found in every ocean on Earth, and are frequently seen along the east and west coasts of Australia. They are baleen whales who feed on krill, (tiny prawn-like animals), plankton and small fish. Whales are mammals, which means they are warm blooded, give birth to live babies and feed their babies milk.

The rock crab is a common species found under rocks around the low tide line. Rock crabs are crustaceans, which means they have a hard exoskeleton, jointed limbs, gills for breathing underwater and antennae. They feed on a variety of prey including shellfish and limpets. Rock crabs have a solid body with a pair of claws used for feeding and defending against predators.

Little penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world. They prefer rocks and sand rather than snow and ice. They are a sea bird and are found in the southern coastal waters of Australia, including Tasmania. They like to eat fish, squid, krill and small crustaceans. Unfortunately due to habitat loss and predation by animals such as foxes, dogs and cats, some Little Penguin colonies are endangered. They can spend weeks away at sea, dozing and eating among the waves.

Cunjivoi is a 'sea-squirt' commonly found on rock platforms in the Sydney area. It was a common food source for the Gweagal people of the area and is frequently used as fishing bait. The Cunjivoi holds water to keep from drying out when the tide recedes. When disturbed, it can shoot jets of water into the air. Cunjivoi feeds on plankton which it filters from the water during high tide. It is often covered in green or brown algae, providing a resource for other animals species.

Neptune's necklace is a type of seaweed commonly found growing on rock platforms in shallow sea water close to the surface. It is made up of bead-like pockets which float when they break away from the main plant and can continue to grow , allowing the plant to reproduce. Neptune's necklace is a food source for animals such as sea urchins. It also provides a habitat for many creatures found on the rock platform.

Sea grass meadows are an essential part of the ecosystem in bays and estuaries along the New South Wales coastline. There are 3 types of sea grass that commonly grow in New South Wales waterways - eel grass, paddle grass and strap weed. Sea grass provides a protective habitat for many fish and crustacean species. They are an essential food source to many types of sea animals and they help prevent erosion of sand banks.