Underwater camera to explore Great Barrier Reef

Tasmanian scientists have river-tested an underwater camera system designed to explore the Great Barrier Reef. The A$500,000 ($590,000) rig was dunked in Hobart's chilly Derwent River ahead of its delivery to Townsville, north Queensland, within days.

Its first mission will be aboard the Australian Institute of Marine Science research vessel Lady Basten, which is mapping sea floor habitats at 1500 sites across the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Marine researcher Dr Alan Butler said the camera would help scientists conducting an ongoing seabed biodiversity project.