Towards an understanding of the flushing of Bass Strait

Bass Strait is an area of shallow continental shelf located between Victoria and Tasmania connecting the south-east Indian Ocean with the Tasman Sea (Figure 1). The region supports a diverse marine ecosystem with a wide range of habitats. The submerged temperate rocky reefs and canyons contain high species biodiversity with a large proportion being endemic to the area [3]. Marine activities of environmental significance include fisheries, shipping, oil drilling/processing and coastal riverine discharges. All are potential sources of pollutants and contaminants. In winter and to a large degree in spring, strait waters are well mixed with little or no apparent stratification [1], [6] [14]. In the passages strong vertical and horizontal