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

This project undertook a review of existing environmental literature and data on threatened and migratory marine species data to inform the sustainable development of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) projects (primarily wind) in Australia. A list of priority species and species of secondary importance were identified by the project together with stakeholders from DCCEEW and NOPSEMA. This list comprised of 100 species of birds, cetaceans, bony fish, sharks, pinnipeds and marine turtles. A literature search was undertaken for each species using a systematic approach detailed in the 'Lineage' section of this record. Each publication was assessed for whether the study location was within or near the ORE area and an attribute populated to indicate the ORE area(s) overlapped. Studies with spatial coverages not overlapping the ORE area were still retained if they were located nearby the ORE area, for species with poorly-defined distributions (e.g. short-finned pilot whales), or for migratory coastal birds that may use the ORE area as migration corridors. The potential impacts of ORE infrastructure and operation for each species was noted from a controlled list of potential impacts. The main topic of the study, and the methodologies used in the study, were also recorded, along with the general spatial location(s) of the study and the publication citation. The resultant inventory serves as a comprehensive record of existing publications associated with priority species potentially at risk from ORE developments, along with the nature of the potential impact. The inventory is intended to provide research information and methods for use in the planning, development, operation, and decommissioning phases of the offshore wind sector. The dataset attached to this record provides a spatial index of of all publications identified through this inventory process. Observation data each of the species were additionally compiled from BirdLife Australia, Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS), Victorian Biodiversity Atlas Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA), and GlobalArchive (a repository of stereo-video annotations data). These data are freely available to download from each of the source repositories.