Australian Great Bay washes the south of the mainland of the same name. The water area belongs to the Indian Ocean.
Characteristic
The Great Bay was first seen by scientists and navigators in 1627. At the same time, it was partially explored, but only in 1802 was mapped, which is due to Captain Flinders, who made a trip around the continent.
Australian Great Bay stretches for 1100 km and covers the coast of Victoria, western Tasmania, as well as the states of South and Western Australia. The water area covers an area of more than 1.3 million square meters. km. The depth of the bay is relatively small (400 m), but at a distance of hundreds of kilometers from the coastline it can reach 5000 m - the South Australian Basin (5670 m). The nature of the bottom of the bay is stepped, its depth increases with distance from the coast, reaching its maximum value in this area. During high tides, the water can rise by 3-4 m, and in bays this figure sometimes rises to 7 m.
Climate
Where the Great Australian Bight is,greatly affects the weather. There is a temperate climate here. Due to the prevailing cold weather, icebergs are guests of the bay. They are brought by the current from the territory of the southern neighbor of Antarctica. But these blocks are observed far from the coast line.
Coastline
Australian Great Bay can be characterized by indented bays and bays of the coast. Sheer cliffs, reaching 60 m, are a distinctive feature of this area. They are formed by some parts of the coast. Rocky terraces and bluffs are observed on the coast, while sandy beaches are common in low-lying areas.
The largest port in the water area is Adelaide. St. Vincent and Spencer bays stand out in its area.
Murray, Australia's most full-flowing river, merging with the Danmark watercourse, flows into this bay through the bay. The largest island of the bay is considered to be about. Kangaroo. In addition to it, the coastline is rich in many small areas of land.
Animals and fish
Because of the proximity to Antarctica, the flora and fauna of the bay is not as rich as in the northern seas of Australia. But still she has something to brag about and surprise.
Coastal areas have become a habitat for a variety of marine life: from the simplest microorganisms to the largest mammals. The migration route of right whales passes through the Great Bay. However, in recent years, they only occasionally swim into this water area. Among these representatives, smooth, toothed and minke whale species are observed.
At the bottomlobsters, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, sea worms, various echinoderms, among which hedgehogs, serpenttails and amazingly beautiful starfish live.
The fish world is distinguished by its richness, represented by the inhabitants of different parts of the Indian Ocean. Herring, flounder, red mullet, gobies, horse mackerel, perch, stingrays, salmon, tuna, sailfish, marlin, swordfish - this is not a complete list of the inhabitants of these depths. The meat of the red beryx is of value.
Sharks
Australian Great Bay is an excellent source of fish, due to which the fishery is well developed in this area, especially shark hunting. This area of the Indian Ocean is one of the most shark-hazardous on Earth. This place was chosen by different types of these representatives, and the most dangerous for humans were no exception. Confirmation is the annual reports in the press about accidents associated with these inhabitants of this area. Which ocean the Great Australian Bight belongs to plays an important role in the diversity of fauna.
