The Peel-Harvey estuary has been a central meeting place for the Noongar Nation for tens of thousands of years. However, since European settlement, the ecosystem has undergone drastic changes. Over half of the catchment area has been cleared, and natural water flows have been altered by 15 dams and over 3,000 km of artificial drainage channels. These changes impede fresh water flow and increase nutrient and pollutant runoff into the estuary. When the system becomes stressed by these pollutants, it often results in 'fish kills'—mass mortality events where the aquatic fauna dies due to a single overriding stressor. Understanding these historical and physical changes is crucial to restoring the waterway's health.
Government departments and catchment councils in Western Australia publish extensive data on estuary health, land use, and water quality management.
This project utilizes bivalve molluscs (mussels) as 'bio-sentinels' or early warning detectors. Mussels are filter feeders that continuously 'taste' the water as they extract nutrients. Their natural behavior is to keep their shells open when the water quality is acceptable. However, when they detect pollutants or conditions they do not like, they close their shells using their adductor muscles. Unlike traditional monitoring that tests water samples chemically, this approach measures the direct physiological response of the fauna itself. If the mussels are distressed, it is a strong indicator that the water quality is harmful to other aquatic life, potentially predicting a fish kill before it happens.
Australian universities and museums provide detailed biological information on native freshwater mussel species and their role in aquatic ecosystems.
The 'cybernetic' aspect of this project refers to the integration of biological systems with technology to create a feedback loop. Sensors attached to the mussels monitor the opening and closing of their shells. This data is live-streamed to a network. The system is programmed to recognize a 'perturbation'—specifically, when all mussels at a station close their shells for more than five minutes. When this occurs, the system automatically sends an SMS notification to researchers and community groups. This allows for real-time intervention. This technological layer also facilitates 'Citizen Science,' enabling schools and local groups to participate in gathering data, thereby bridging the gap between professional research and community stewardship.
National science bodies and digital initiatives in Australia offer resources on how environmental data is collected, processed, and used in citizen science projects.