This project undertook a rapid exploration of information on a priority subset of species identified by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Authority (NOPSEMA) that are listed as critically endangered or endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It specifically focused on these species in relation to the Gippsland declaration area, and the adjacent areas to the declaration area in Bass Strait. This rapid exploration of information was conducted as follows: 1) identify datasets and information sources relevant to priority species identified by DCCEEW and NOPSEMA for the Gippsland declaration area; 2) identify the source of these datasets and information and their level of accessibility; 3) evaluate the utility of datasets and information identified in 2) for assessments/regulatory processes required to be undertaken by DCCEEW and NOPSEMA; and 4) identify what activities would need to be undertaken to improve the accessibility and utility of datasets and information sources identified in 3) that are not currently accessible in useable formats. Fifteen priorities species (12 birds, 3 cetaceans) were identified for which publicly-available occurrence data could be located. This record and the attached download describes the data inventory for Swift Parrots (Lathamus discolor). To download the data inventory for all fifteen priority species, see https://doi.org/10.25959/GB51-RW44.

This project undertook a rapid exploration of information on a priority subset of species identified by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Authority (NOPSEMA) that are listed as critically endangered or endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It specifically focused on these species in relation to the Gippsland declaration area, and the adjacent areas to the declaration area in Bass Strait. This rapid exploration of information was conducted as follows: 1) identify datasets and information sources relevant to priority species identified by DCCEEW and NOPSEMA for the Gippsland declaration area; 2) identify the source of these datasets and information and their level of accessibility; 3) evaluate the utility of datasets and information identified in 2) for assessments/regulatory processes required to be undertaken by DCCEEW and NOPSEMA; and 4) identify what activities would need to be undertaken to improve the accessibility and utility of datasets and information sources identified in 3) that are not currently accessible in useable formats. Fifteen priorities species (12 birds, 3 cetaceans) were identified for which publicly-available occurrence data could be located. This record and the attached download describes the data inventory for Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster). To download the data inventory for all fifteen priority species, see https://doi.org/10.25959/GB51-RW44.

This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Research Plan 2023 project "Identifying priority datasets of relevance to the Gippsland declaration area and pathways for their use in guiding decision-making". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- Offshore renewable energy is rapidly developing in Australian waters, creating an immediate need for efficient access to relevant environmental data for assessment and regulation. In the Gippsland declared area, Commonwealth agencies require information on threatened and migratory species to support evidence-based decisions, identify data gaps, and guide future research and monitoring. This project rapidly assessed the availability, accessibility, and utility of data and information for 15 priority species of seabirds, shorebirds, and marine mammals identified by DCCEEW and NOPSEMA in relation to the Gippsland offshore renewable energy area. The assessment considered species presence and occurrence, distribution and movement, habitat use, population dynamics, and behavioural information relevant to potential interactions during construction, operation, and decommissioning. Data and information were identified through a workshop with data holders and research users, a data holder/user survey, and literature and repository searches across the broader Bass Strait region. The project identified approximately 250 data records from 30 data holders, covering datasets such as tracking, banding, diet, presence records, population genetics, mark-recapture, species distribution models, and museum specimens. Records included information on dataset type, location, time period, owner, access pathway, associated publications, and links to source metadata or data repositories. The collation of this data inventory improved discoverability of priority species information. It also identified barriers to data use, including isolated databases, inconsistent metadata, inaccessible formats, and limited connections between data holders and assessment users. Recommendations focused on improving FAIR data practice, collaborative data-sharing arrangements, online aggregation of assessment-relevant information, and clearer definition of priority species, impacts, and data requirements. The outputs support offshore renewable energy assessment and regulatory processes for the Gippsland declared area, contributed key information to NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Project 3.3 (https://www.nespmarinecoastal.edu.au/project/3-3/), and provide a foundation for improving access to environmental data needed for future planning, monitoring, mitigation, and management. Outputs • Inventory of datasets relevant to the Gippsland OEI declaration area for priority species identified by DCCEEW and NOPSEMA [data inventory] • Final project report [written]

This project undertook a rapid exploration of information on a priority subset of species identified by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Authority (NOPSEMA) that are listed as critically endangered or endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It specifically focused on these species in relation to the Gippsland declaration area, and the adjacent areas to the declaration area in Bass Strait. This rapid exploration of information was conducted as follows: 1) identify datasets and information sources relevant to priority species identified by DCCEEW and NOPSEMA for the Gippsland declaration area; 2) identify the source of these datasets and information and their level of accessibility; 3) evaluate the utility of datasets and information identified in 2) for assessments/regulatory processes required to be undertaken by DCCEEW and NOPSEMA; and 4) identify what activities would need to be undertaken to improve the accessibility and utility of datasets and information sources identified in 3) that are not currently accessible in useable formats. Fifteen priorities species (12 birds, 3 cetaceans) were identified for which publicly-available occurrence data could be located: Australian Gould's Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), Grey-headed Albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma), Mongolian Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus), North-Eastern Siberian Red Knot (Calidris canutus), Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi), Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster), Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor), Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta), Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus), Wedge-Tailed Eagle (Aquila audax), Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis), Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). The data attached to this record outlines the data sources and access points located for each of the species listed above.