Snapper and King George whiting occurrence records were aggregated from the Reef Life Survey dataset, IMAS Archives, the Tassie Fish Frame Collection Program, Atlas of Living Australia and Redmap, in addition to pseudoabsences generated through space and time within the study extent, and matched to environmental covariates (sourced from Copernicus Marine) used for species distribution modelling for FRDC project 2018-070. The data described by this record contains fisher GPS information and is commercial-in-confidence. Please contact the Principal Investigator (alexia.grabalandry@utas.edu.au) or IMAS.DataManager@utas.edu.au for data access enquiries.

This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Research Plan 2023 project "Exploring the distribution and ecological value of seagrass at the Furneaux Islands, Tasmania". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- Seagrass meadows are a dominant marine ecosystem of Tayaritja (the Furneaux Group of Islands) in north-eastern Tasmania. Historical coarse-scale mapping indicated extensive beds of Posidonia, Amphibolis, Heterozostera and Zostera, with the Posidonia and Amphibiolis beds being potentially some of the largest and deepest extents in temperate Australian waters. These habitats provide ecological, social, cultural and economic values, including habitat for fish and for maireener shells used by Pakana people for traditional necklace making. This project worked in partnership with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) to improve knowledge of seagrass extent, composition, population structure, ecological condition and blue carbon value around Tayaritja. Existing data were collated to guide survey design for mapping, and high-resolution satellite remote sensing was used to map seagrass beds down to a depth of approximately 30 metres, including intertidal lagoon systems associated with the Logan Lagoon Ramsar site. Field surveys, including video observations and rhizome coring, were used to validate satellite-derived maps and collect ecological samples. Outputs from this project include spatial layers of seagrass extent, variability and species composition, classified using the Seamap Australia National Benthic Habitat Classification Scheme. Rhizome samples were used to assess blue carbon storage, genetic connectivity and diversity, population structure, reproductive strategies, and relationships between seagrass, animal and microbial communities in shallow waters. The project developed new standards-based approaches for collecting, analysing, managing and reporting seagrass data, alongside training and guidance for the TAC land and sea management team and Pakana Rangers. The resulting methods and datasets will support Indigenous-led monitoring and management of the proposed Tayaritja Sea Country Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), and improve understanding of wetland values relevant to Ramsar reporting and future blue carbon opportunities. Outputs • Seagrass extent and composition map for Furneaux group [dataset] • Seagrass imagery and associated seafloor annotations [dataset] • Final project report [written]

This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub project "Improving knowledge transfer to support Australian Marine Park decision making and management effectiveness evaluation". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- Australia’s network of Commonwealth Marine Parks plays a central role in conserving marine biodiversity, supporting sustainable use, and protecting cultural and recreational values. With over 60 parks spanning diverse habitats - from shallow coastal areas to deep offshore canyons - effective and adaptive management depends on access to reliable, fit-for-purpose data and data products that reflect the condition of park values and the pressures acting upon them. This project improved the capacity to assess the effectiveness of Australian Marine Park (AMP) management by identifying and evaluating priority data and data products required for characterising marine systems and management effectiveness. It worked closely with Parks Australia to assess the availability, quality, and delivery mechanisms of existing datasets, and determined whether these were operationally viable, maintainable over time, and aligned with FAIR data principles. Technical assessments considered consistency of formats, use of standardised vocabularies, as well as machine-readability and the use of national standards for data and collection methodologies. Using available data, knowledge, and existing data infrastructure, the project developed methods for estimating the condition of AMP values (excluding cultural values) and for assessing management effectiveness. Recommendations were provided to improve the discoverability, accessibility, and usability of priority data products through national platforms. Outcomes of the project include a clearer understanding of existing data gaps and a practical foundation for improving future AMP assessments. Parks Australia was equipped with a structured assessment of current data suitability and availability, a demonstration of condition estimation methods, and strategic recommendations to enhance data delivery and alignment with park management cycles. This work directly contributes to the Marine and Coastal Hub’s Protected Place Management Initiative and supports national efforts to build integrated data systems for marine estate monitoring and reporting. Outputs • Documented data and data product priorities organised in one or more data product hierarchies including monitoring priorities and their indicators where appropriate [written] • A fit for purpose assessment of priority data products [written] • Methods for estimating current condition status of AMP values [written] • Recommendations for how to progress priority data sets that do not currently meet the established criteria but are required for characterising, protecting, and assessing current condition status of AMP values [written] • Final project report [written] • Ad-hoc data products generated through this project's data fitness-for-purpose exercise - see linked 'child' records