Hobart

Seminar Abstract

Friday 19 December 2008, 11.30am (Tas time)
CSIRO Auditorium, Hobart

Karen Edyvane
Principal Scientist, Marine Biodiversity Group (NRETA)
NT Government

‘Shared Seas’ – Marine Research, Planning & Management in the Northern Territory and the Arafura-Timor Seas

The Northern Territory maritime estate is situated in a region of global marine biodiversity. Despite encompassing some of Australia’s most remote and sparsely populated coastlines – marine biodiversity in this region faces major threats from illegal and unregulated activities in the Arafura-Timor region - illegal fishing, the impacts of marine debris and introduced pests/diseases. Not surprisingly, marine conservation in the NT faces management challenges characteristic of many remote regions in Australia, including the lack of baseline information, limited marine policies and strategies, lack of marine conservation planning, limited capacity and resources, and low public awareness. However, these challenges are significantly compounded in the NT by complex socio-cultural issues which must address both, indigenous rights and interests and also, the trans-boundary issues in the region (illegal fishing, marine pollution, biosecurity, loss of protected species, habitat degradation, economic development, food security) in the region. Within the NT, marine biodiversity management needs to urgently focus on establishing sound conservation policies and strategies, build monitoring, reporting and data management systems to underpin marine planning, and assist indigenous communities in developing regional marine conservation plans. Research needs to urgently tackle the major threats to the NT’s marine biodiversity – monitoring impacts and establishing the platform for stock-based management of protected species and fisheries – and also, fill the major gaps in our knowledge of NT marine habitats. Within the region, the NT needs to actively engage in building trans-boundary research partnerships and collaborations to tackle these major trans-boundary issues. Uncontrolled and unmanaged – and without united efforts with regional neighbours - these issues pose a major threat to some of the NT’s most iconic species, and also, to the diverse marine ecosystems of the Arafura-Timor seas.

The presentation will introduce the newly established, Marine Biodiversity Branch (Department of Natural Resources, Environment & the Arts) and outline current NT marine biodiversity directions, programs, priorities and progress in the NT and also, within the Arafura-Timor region, particularly in East Timor. For more information on the programs/projects of the Marine Biodiversity Branch, see: www.nt.gov.au/marine

BioSketch
Karen Edyvane is a marine habitat and conservation ecologist with specialist expertise and experience in Marine Protected Area design and system planning, and marine planning. Her career highlights include: the first State of the Marine Environment Report for South Australia, the establishment of South Australia’s first marine park (and Australia’s largest temperate Marine Park), the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, the first detailed conservation and threat assessment of Tasmania’s Giant Kelp forests; and also, the first large-scale systematic survey, mapping and ecological classification of South Australia’s underwater, inshore marine habitats and ecosystems, including the identification of a potential Marine Parks and Reserves. In South Australia, Tasmania and more recently, the Northern Territory, she developed the technical and policy blueprints for the establishment of Marine Park systems. She has held a wide range of technical, policy and statutory positions in marine biodiversity conservation planning and management in Australia and also, undertaken a range of international marine/coastal consultancy work. She is currently leading a range of coastal and marine research, planning and training programs in East Timor. Since gaining her PhD at the University of Adelaide in 1990, she has maintained close links with universities through teaching positions (including James Cook University, University of Adelaide, University of Tasmania), and research programs, including the supervision of over 25 postgraduate students.

In addition to her position as the Principal Scientist for the newly established Marine Biodiversity Group of the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, she is also, an adjunct Professor (of Marine Conservation) with Charles Darwin University.

Seminar Recording

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Location:
CSIRO = Marine Laboratories Auditorium, Castray Esplanade, Hobart

For further information, or to schedule a seminar, contact:
To schedule a seminar, contact:
Clothilde Langlais, (Oceanographic seminars) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5399
Natalie Kelly, (Biology/Modelling seminars) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research 0438 452 483
Jillian Enraght-Moony, (seminar administrator) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5320
Communications Manager, Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC (03) 6226 2265
Margaret Hazelwood, Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies (IASOS) University of Tasmania (03) 6226 2971

Last updated 4/08/09