This record provides an overview of the scope and research output of the NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub project "Estimation of population abundance and mixing of southern right whales in the Australian and New Zealand regions". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- A comprehensive understanding of the population abundance and degree of spatial connectivity of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in Australian waters is currently lacking. This limits assessments of the species recovery and understanding of the nature and degree of difference between the south-eastern and south-western Australian populations. This project brought together existing photo-identification datasets, including records held in the Australian Right Whale Photo-Identification Catalogue (ARWPIC), to support a national assessment of southern right whale population dynamics and connectivity. It estimated total Australian population abundance, investigated links between whales using breeding areas along the eastern, southern and western coasts of Australia, and assessed future data collection needs for ongoing monitoring. The project supported evaluation of progress against the Conservation Management Plan for southern right whales and contributed to more coordinated conservation planning for the species at regional and national scales.

This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub project "Updating knowledge of Australian white sharks". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- The white shark is listed as Vulnerable and Migratory under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. Previous NESP-funded research provided updated estimates of breeding population size and trend, but uncertainty remained around juvenile nursery and pupping areas, movement patterns, and connectivity between eastern and south-western Australian populations. More recent evidence has also raised the possibility of a single Australian population. This project aimed to reduce uncertainty in the status, trends and population structure of white sharks in Australian waters, with a focus on identifying biologically important habitats and improving population assessment through expanded close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) analyses. The project combined three major components: (1) pilot tagging studies of large adult females and juvenile sharks to improve understanding of movements, pupping areas and habitat use; (2) genetic analyses to assess stock structure and connectivity using samples collected across Australia, and where possible from South Africa and New Zealand; and (3) updated population assessment using expanded tissue sample collections and close-kin mark-recapture methods. Population estimates incorporated approximately 1,000 tissue samples from New South Wales together with additional samples from South Australia and Western Australia. Juvenile abundance information from the New South Wales shark management program was also integrated into the assessment framework. CKMR approaches used genetic identification of parent-offspring and half-sibling relationships to estimate adult abundance, survival and population trends. Project outputs included updated estimates of population size and trend, improved understanding of population connectivity and movement patterns, and refined information on potential nursery and critical habitat areas. These findings support white shark recovery planning, future monitoring design, and conservation assessment in Commonwealth and state waters. Outputs • New genetic samples and sequencing data for white sharks [dataset] • Tracking data from PAT tags [dataset] • Final technical report (including recommendations for systematic future research to assist in identifying additional critical habitat for the south-western white shark population) [written]

This record provides an overview of the scope and research output of the NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub project "Northern Australian hotspots for the recovery of threatened euryhaline species". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- Euryhaline elasmobranchs represent over half of the EPBC-listed threatened sharks and rays, with northern Australia of national importance for this threatened species community. Critical information gaps related to population status, movement, mortality, habitat use and life history have constrained implementation of recovery objectives. The project used acoustic telemetry, molecular research, life history studies, Indigenous knowledge and education to improve understanding of threatened euryhaline sharks and rays across northern Australian rivers and estuaries. Research activities included monitoring tagged animals to estimate movement patterns, habitat use and mortality; collecting tissue samples to investigate population structure and support close-kin mark-recapture analysis; and synthesising existing Marine Biodiversity Hub research to identify biologically important areas and recovery priorities. The project was undertaken in partnership with Indigenous organisations, communities and ranger groups to support sawfish monitoring, cultural knowledge sharing and education. The project provided information to support management, recovery planning and reassessment of river shark conservation status for Australian Government, state and territory agencies, fisheries managers, and northern Indigenous organisations.