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Project details
| Title: | The influence of marine heatwaves on seafloor biodiversity of the Hunter Marine Park outer shelf |
| Id: | 2668 |
| Investigator(s): | Joel Williams
University of Tasmania [details] |
| Description: | Using a deep-towed video system or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), we will image the seafloor between 100 and 300 meters. Downward-facing imagery will be used to quantify habitat type and structure across a depth gradient to produce habitat maps. Forward-facing imagery can be used to quantify and map the associated fish assemblage across depth gradients. With this new information, we can identify regions of the outer shelf that support vulnerable habitats and are at greatest risk from marine heatwaves and ongoing climate change. A core component of this project is sharing knowledge with the Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl People (Solitary Islands) and Worimi People (Hunter), the first custodians of this Sea Country. The Ngiyambandigay Wajaarr Aboriginal Corporation (NWAC) is an active partner in this project. First Nations people will be invited to participate in this voyage to enhance connections with Sea Country and provide training and sea time. This project is a high priority for Parks Australia. Parks Australia requires this new information to improve the management of the Temperate East Network of Marine Parks, including identifying regions of their Marine Parks at great risk from marine heatwaves and climate change. This information can inform targeted monitoring to detect and understand changes. The project will also provide information on which fish species and habitats should be prioritised in monitoring. This information will be compiled in a project final report and a marine heatwave response plan tailored for Parks Australia. |
| Description (full): | Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe, with dire impacts on coastal ecosystems. However, there is growing evidence that these marine heatwaves are often reaching the depths of the outer shelf regions (>100 m). Most concerningly, there is an increasing understanding of sub-surface heatwaves occurring. The Temperate East Network of Marine Parks, including Hunter Marine Park, was established to protect representative examples of the region's ecosystems and biodiversity. The Network Management Plan acknowledges that shelf rocky reefs are key ecological features with significant cultural, social, and economic value. The impacts of these deep marine heatwaves on shelf rocky reef ecosystems and the Temperate East Network of Marine Parks are virtually unknown. Furthermore, the outer shelf is a popular destination for recreational fishers targeting species that inhabit these deeper reefs, such as kingfish and barred rock cod. This project will also help understand how these extreme events will impact some of the most lucrative recreational fisheries on the central east coast. Using a deep-towed video system or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), we will image the seafloor between 100 and 300 meters. Downward-facing imagery will be used to quantify habitat type and structure across a depth gradient to produce habitat maps. Forward-facing imagery can be used to quantify and map the associated fish assemblage across depth gradients. With this new information, we can identify regions of the outer shelf that support vulnerable habitats and are at greatest risk from marine heatwaves and ongoing climate change. A core component of this project is sharing knowledge with the Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl People (Solitary Islands) and Worimi People (Hunter), the first custodians of this Sea Country. The Ngiyambandigay Wajaarr Aboriginal Corporation (NWAC) is an active partner in this project. First Nations people will be invited to participate in this voyage to enhance connections with Sea Country and provide training and sea time. This project is a high priority for Parks Australia. Parks Australia requires this new information to improve the management of the Temperate East Network of Marine Parks, including identifying regions of their Marine Parks at great risk from marine heatwaves and climate change. This information can inform targeted monitoring to detect and understand changes. The project will also provide information on which fish species and habitats should be prioritised in monitoring. This information will be compiled in a project final report and a marine heatwave response plan tailored for Parks Australia. This project will be completed within the boundaries of the Hunter Marine Park. Specifically, in the 100-200 m depth band of the outer shelf to shelf break. A spatially balanced study design will be used to ensure that a representative sample of video transects are collected. Some sites may be selected for sampling based on seafloor feature of interest or know locations important to fisheries. Transect lengths will be determined at a later date. A minimum transect length of 200m per sample is required. However, longer transects may be done with 200m sections being sub-sampled to maximize gear in water time. The number of sites sampled will be determined by how much can be achieved within the hours allocated to this supplementary video. Ideally, we would sample at both day and night. These methods are directly comparable to towed video work that has been completed by this project team on the inner shelf region of the Hunter Marine Park and within other marine parks including the Solitary Islands Marine Park. The towed video methodology will follow the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Marine Field Manuals (https://towed-imagery-field-manual.github.io/) to ensure methods are consistent and standardise. This means data from this project can contribute to a national collection of seafloor imagery. All imagery and will be immediately backed up using project RAID hard drives. All imagery will be annotated post-voyage. |
| Years: | 2026 |
List of surveys that this project was on.
Use [details] link to view survey details (map, reports, metadata etc) including links to download data.
| Survey | Investigator | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IN2026_T03 [details] |
Robin Beaman | The primary objective of this transit voyage is to relocate Investigator from Hobart to Brisbane. In addition, there are three supplementary projects and two piggyback projects included in the voyage. |