69 results
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2010-004
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Passive acoustic techniques to monitor aggregations of sound producing fish species

The need to optimise spawning success and survival of offspring by fishes has resulted in the evolution of a vast array of reproductive strategies, such as spawning aggregations. A spawning aggregation is defined by Domeier and Colin (1997) as, “a group of con-specific fish gathered for the...
ORGANISATION:
Curtin University
People

Regional impact assessment for the Moreton Bay Marine Park

Project number: 2007-053
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $173,871.00
Principal Investigator: Linda Cupitt
Organisation: Moreton Bay Seafood Industry Association Inc (MBSIA)
Project start/end date: 3 Jun 2007 - 18 Jul 2008
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The review and amendment of existing Marine Parks Zoning Plans in Queensland (including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Representative Areas Program (GBRMPA RAP), complimentary state zoning of inshore areas has had significant social, economic (and environmental) impacts on industries that rely on marine resources for their existence. These plans have also often displaced fishing effort and increased pressure on other areas and have considerably impacted on the supply of seafood to the Queensland consumer.

The announcement that the Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 1997 would be reviewed in 2007, coupled with the track record of government decisions on Marine Park Plans within Queensland, indicates that there are potentially considerable implications for the three fishery sectors who operate within Moreton Bay, and for the supply of seafood to the Queensland consumer.

The various industry groups involved in the Moreton Bay Access Alliance (MBAA) have decided on a proactive strategy to address potential implications, on the understanding that the:
- EPA will commence review of the Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 1997 in February 2007 and will release a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) in September 2007 for public comment and stakeholder consultation; and
- EPA’s RIS proposals are negotiable.

The project aims to validate and quantify the impact of fishing activities on the Moreton bay environment and make a scientifically defensible case for boundary changes or alterations to the existing Marine Park Zoning Plan. The development of a defensible report will ensure that all parties have a common reference point in negotiations following the release of the RIS.

Given that the Marine Park or MPA in question is managed under state legislation, it is likely that the findings of this project may be relevant for other industry groups facing similar legislative reviews (or introduction of MPA’s) Australia-wide.

Objectives

1. To collect representative data to characterise fishing activity and support industries operating within Moreton Bay (including social and economic values for commercial, recreational and indigenous/traditional fisheries).
2. To collect data that adequately represents biodiversity abundance and spatial structure of habitats, ecosystems and associated species assesmblages within Moreton Bay (including protected species).
3. To determine the impact of fishing and boating activity on the environment via risk based approach.
4. To develop alternative options for the Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 1997 that meet the conservation requirements of the Queensland Marine Parks Act 2004 and the ecological sustainability objectives of the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whilst minimising impact on fishing and boating industries (including commercial, recreational and indigenous fisheries, boating and support industries).

Final report

Environment

Qualitative assessment of the potential impacts of seismic survey activity on Victorian managed fisheries of commercial and recreational importance

Project number: 2024-026
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $21,450.00
Principal Investigator: Paul McShane
Organisation: Fishwell Pty Ltd
Project start/end date: 24 Nov 2024 - 27 Mar 2025
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Seismic surveys undertaken by the petroleum industry and the energy sector in offshore waters use high intensity airguns to characterise seabed petroleum resources and/or potential offshore energy installations. Seismic noise has been shown elsewhere to have adverse effects on marine biota including direct (e.g. injury) or indirect (e.g. behavioural) impacts. A review of relevant literature (including unpublished studies conducted in Victorian waters) is required to fully evaluate potential consequences of expanded seismic surveys. Such a review will provide a more robust basis for decision making by authorised planners consistent with a precautionary approach to development.

Objectives

1. Conduct a review of literature relevant to understanding potential impacts of marine seismic surveys on animals important to commercial and recreational fisheries.
2. Based on the literature review qualitatively assess the nature of likely impacts on marine biota for input to future risk assessments.
3. Make recommendations for future research so as to improve understanding of the nature of marine seismic surveys and consequences for commercial and recreational fisheries in Victoria.
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