NESP MB Project A12 - Australia’s Northern Seascape: assessing status of threatened and migratory marine species, 2017-2018 (CDU)

This record provides an overview of the scope and research output of the NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub project "Australia’s Northern Seascape: assessing status of threatened and migratory marine species". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- Northern Australia is the focus of substantial economic development, including agriculture, aquaculture, port infrastructure, mining and water-resource development. These activities have the potential to affect biodiversity, cultural values and Matters of National Environmental Significance, creating a need for a coordinated understanding of conservation priorities across the region. This project assessed the state of knowledge for EPBC-listed Threatened and Migratory marine species across the North Marine Bioregion, from Torres Strait to the Northern Territory - Western Australia border and extending from coastal waters to the edge of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone. The review considered multiple taxonomic groups, including sharks and rays, shorebirds, marine turtles, dugongs and cetaceans, together with information on habitats, fisheries bycatch, environmental pressures, Indigenous priorities and EPBC referral activities. The project identified key knowledge gaps, research priorities and management needs to guide future Northern Seascapes research and investment. It also examined opportunities to strengthen Indigenous participation and incorporate Indigenous knowledge and management priorities into future marine conservation and research activities. Project outputs provided a strategic evidence base for future research planning, environmental management and conservation policy, and identified priority locations and topics for further investigation across northern Australia's marine environment.