Historic Vessel Strikes with Whales in Australian Waters

Records of collisions between vessels and whales in Australian waters between 1872 and 2015 as described in the paper Peel, D., Smith, J. N., & Childerhouse, S. (2018). Vessel Strike of Whales in Australia: The Challenges of Analysis of Historical Incident Data. Frontiers in Marine Science, 5, 69. This record has been created to facilitate access to the original data collection at https://doi.org/10.25919/5be5086a6fda1

Collated data inventory for Blue Whale in relation to the Gippsland Offshore Renewable Energy declaration area (NESP MaC 3.21)

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 Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus). To download the data inventory for all fifteen priority species, see https://doi.org/10.25959/GB51-RW44.

Australian iPCoD for measuring baleen whale population consequence of disturbance from offshore energy developments (NESP MaC 4.9)

This project developed an interim Population Consequence of Disturbance (iPCoD) model for blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) to document a methodology for assessing population-level impacts of one, or multiple, wind farm developments off the southern Australian coast. The iPCoD model was developed in Europe to quantify how disturbances of individuals caused by physiological injury or changes in behaviour can have population-level consequences in data poor marine mammal populations. This model was adapted to suit Australian marine mammal species, highlighting key data gaps for locally threatened populations that overlap in range with the declared offshore wind areas in Australia. Due to the lack of baseline data currently available, this study documented a framework that can be updated as more information becomes available. We outlined how to leverage simulation-based population modelling as a tool for policymakers, industry and management authorities, to aid in environmental impact assessments, with a specific focus on data poor marine mammal populations.

Collated data inventory of priority species in relation to the Gippsland Offshore Renewable Energy declaration area (NESP MaC 3.21)

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.