IMAS Metadata Catalogue
A multidisciplinary study of the Tasman Fracture Marine Park pelagic ecosystem
The Tasman Fracture Marine Park (TFMP), located off the southwestern coast of Tasmania, is an ecologically and culturally significant area characterised by dynamic and diverse marine ecosystems ranging from abyssal plains to rocky reefs. This region is a productivity hotspot due to the convergence of ocean currents and upwelling processes (Ridgway and Ling, 2023), which supports rich biodiversity, including endangered species such as the shy albatross (Thalassarche cauta), the migratory short-tailed shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris), the endemic Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and expanding populations of long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri).
The primary objectives of this multidisciplinary research were to quantify the physical water properties within the TFMP to establish baseline environmental conditions; map mesopelagic (midwater) productivity using acoustic equipment; characterise the foraging behaviour and habitat use of key marine predators through biotelemetry devices; investigate the diet of seabird and fur seal species to understand pelagic food web interactions; and assess cetacean species diversity, temporal patterns, and quantify underwater noise using passive acoustic monitoring.
To achieve these objectives, the study employed a combination of methodologies (see 'Lineage' section for full methodology):
• Oceanographic analysis provided insights into the climatology and productivity patterns influenced by the East Australian Current and the Zeehan Current.
• Biotelemetry tracking of seabirds and seals provided data on foraging behaviour and habitat use of key predators.
• Scat sampling of predator species combined with DNA metabarcoding techniques were utilised to identify prey species and provide detailed dietary profiles.
• Underwater acoustic recorders were used to monitor cetacean vocalisations and assess underwater noise levels.
In summary, this research provides essential baseline data and insights into the complex interactions within the TFMP's ecosystems. The findings emphasise the need for integrated, multidisciplinary approaches to marine conservation. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the recommendations, managers can enhance the resilience of the TFMP, ensuring the protection of its unique biodiversity in the face of environmental changes.
Simple
Identification info
- Date (Publication)
- 2026-06-03T00:00:00
Identifier
- Title
- Information and documentation - Digital object identifier system
- Citation identifier
- ISO 26324:2012
- Code
- 10.25959/HYA7-0327
- Codespace
- doi.org
- Description
- Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Principal investigator
Principal investigator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
- Purpose
- To investigate complex ecological interactions within the Tasman Fracture Marine Park ecosystem.
- Credit
- This study was supported by an Our Marine Parks Grants project (Discovering the role of rare, endangered, and culturally important marine predators in the Tasman Fracture Marine Park) and contracted research (Shy albatross foraging and spatial distribution within the Tasman Fracture Marine Park) via funding from the Australian Government.
- Status
- Completed
Point of contact
- Topic category
-
- Biota
- Oceans
Extent
))
Temporal extent
- Time period
- 2022-01-01 2023-12-31
- Maintenance and update frequency
- Not planned
- Keywords (Theme)
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- oceanography
- biotelemetry
- underwater acoustics
- seabirds
- cetaceans
- pinnipeds
- Tasman Fracture Australian Marine Park
- Keywords (Taxon)
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- Thalassarche cauta
- Ardenna tenuirostris
- Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus
- Arctocephalus forsteri
- Global Change Master Directory Earth Science Keywords, Version 8.5
Resource constraints
- Use limitation
- Data, products and services from IMAS are provided "as is" without any warranty as to fitness for a particular purpose.
Resource constraints
- Linkage
-
https://licensebuttons.net/l/by/4.0/88x31.png
License Graphic
- Title
- Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
- Alternate title
- CC-BY
- Edition
- 4.0
- Website
-
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License Text
- Other constraints
- Cite project as: Lea, M.-A., Barrett, N., Thalmann, S., Hamilton, S., McInnes, J., Miller, B., Chapman, C., Wall, D., Green, D., Helyer, N., Edwards, J., Byrne, G., Mansell, J., Foo, D., & Sojitra, M. (2026). A multidisciplinary study of the Tasman Fracture Marine Park pelagic ecosystem. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. https://doi.org/10.25959/HYA7-0327
- Other constraints
- Please also cite the following publications when citing this project: Lea, M. -A., Barrett, N., Thalmann, S., Hamilton, S., McInnes, J., Miller, B Chapman, C., Wall, D., Green, D., Helyer, N., Edwards, J., Byrne, G., Mansell, J., Foo, D. and Sojitra, M. (2024). Discovering the role of rare, endangered, and culturally important marine predators in the Tasman Fracture Marine Park. A report to Parks Australia, DCCEEW, 183 pages. Wall, D., Sojitra, M., Thalmann, S., Green, D., Hamilton, S., McInnes, J., Hamilton, S., McInnes, J., Byrne, G., Foo, D., Lea, M.-A. (2025). Shy albatross foraging and spatial distribution within the Tasman Fracture Marine Park, A report to DCCEEW, 63 pages.
- Language
- English
- Character encoding
- UTF8
- Supplemental Information
- Lea, M. -A., Barrett, N., Thalmann, S., Hamilton, S., McInnes, J., Miller, B Chapman, C., Wall, D., Green, D., Helyer, N., Edwards, J., Byrne, G., Mansell, J., Foo, D. and Sojitra, M. (2024). Discovering the role of rare, endangered, and culturally important marine predators in the Tasman Fracture Marine Park. A report to Parks Australia, DCCEEW, 183 pages. Wall, D., Sojitra, M., Thalmann, S., Green, D., Hamilton, S., McInnes, J., Hamilton, S., McInnes, J., Byrne, G., Foo, D., Lea, M.-A. (2025). Shy albatross foraging and spatial distribution within the Tasman Fracture Marine Park, A report to DCCEEW, 63 pages. Viola, B., Puskic, P., Corney, S., Barrett, N., Davies, B., Clausius, E., Jutzeler, M. and Lea, M.-A., 2024. A quantitative assessment of continuous versus structured methods for the detection of marine mammals and seabirds via opportunistic shipboard surveys. Scientific Reports, 14(1), p.18796.
Distribution Information
- Distribution format
-
- CSV
Resource lineage
- Statement
- Oceanographic analysis was conducted by integrating satellite data of sea-surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentrations with in-situ measurements from a 2023 field campaign aboard the RV Investigator. This approach provided insights into the climatology and productivity patterns influenced by the East Australian Current and the Zeehan Current. Additional oceanographic data was collected via a series of Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) casts for temperature, salinity, florescence and nutrients to match seasonal acoustic surveys carried out using a Simrad EK80 sonar system along transects within the Tasman Fracture Marine Park (TFMP) to quantify productivity patterns. Biotelemetry devices, including satellite transmitters and archival Global Positioning System (GPS) loggers, were deployed on shy albatrosses, short-tailed shearwaters, and both Australian and long-nosed fur seals during the breeding season to maximise data on foraging behaviour and habitat use. Scat samples were collected from predator species across different breeding stages and locations. DNA metabarcoding techniques were utilised to identify prey species, providing detailed dietary profiles. Underwater acoustic recorders (SoundTrap ST600) were deployed within the TFMP to monitor cetacean vocalisations and assess underwater noise levels. The acoustic data were processed using MANTA software to derive calibrated power spectral densities and long-term spectral averages.
- Hierarchy level
- Dataset
- Hierarchy level
- Dataset
Metadata
- Metadata identifier
- urn:uuid/42d42b17-c353-4271-ba3a-74e0eb0ab5ed
- Language
- English
- Character encoding
- UTF8
Type of resource
- Resource scope
- Field session
- Name
- IMAS Project level record
- Metadata linkage
-
https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/42d42b17-c353-4271-ba3a-74e0eb0ab5ed
Point of truth URL of this metadata record
- Date info (Creation)
- 2025-09-19T00:00:00
- Date info (Revision)
- 2026-06-11T18:22:59
Metadata standard
- Title
- ISO 19115-3:2018
Overviews
Spatial extent
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