Indicator: CO-48 Area disturbed/potentially disturbed by seismic surveys
Data
The map shows overlays of seismic survey lines with migration paths, breeding, resting and other significant areas of whales, seagrass, dugong density and dugong protected area data.
Source: National Oceans Office 2006, National Marine Atlas, viewed 29 May 2006, http://www.oceans.gov.au/Non-fish Atlas.jsp map 64!;
The National Oceans Office map of seismic surveys alone, without the overlapping data may give a clearer idea of the potential area affected by seismic noise.
What the data mean
Humpback whales migration routes are frequently intersected by seismic survey activity, all along the western coast, in the Great Australian Bight, throughout Bass Strait and around the south eastern coast of the continent including Tasmania, north to central NSW. Several aggregated areas of significance for Humpback and Southern Right Whales, and dugong areas, are also intersected.
Data Limitations
Understanding of the impact of seismic surveys on marine animals, especially on animals such as whales, who rely on sonar as their principal sensory tool, is limited, so this indicator can at best give an idea of what type of animals might be affected and where.
The data give an idea of the spatial scope for disturbance of some marine mammals by seismic noise, but it has not been possible to estimate an actual area affected by seismic noise. The data show only the lines of seismic surveys, not the area (or volume) of ocean habitat affected by them.
Issues for which this is an indicator and why
Coasts and Oceans — Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressures of harvesting non-living materials
Area affected by seismic surveys may be very difficult to estimate. Number of surveys and estimated length of survey lines occurring in known habitat of selected threatened species (eg whales, dugongs, turtles) will give an indication of some of the species that are potentially under pressure from these activities.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-26 Extent of potential habitat disturbance by well rigs sites, pipelines etc
- CO-27 Number, frequency, extent and volume of oil spills from all sources
- CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-64 Quantity of various substances discharged by offshore extraction activities
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
- LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
- BD-09 The change in extent of selected nationally significant invasive species
Biodiversity — Pressures on biodiversity - Pressures on marine biodiversity: pressures of energy and mineral exploration and extraction
Seismic surveys used in oil and gas exploration have the potential; to place pressure on marine biodiversity. Number of surveys and estimated length of survey lines occurring in known habitat of selected threatened species (eg whales, dugongs, turtles) will give an indication of some of the species that are potentially under pressure from these activities.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-26 Extent of potential habitat disturbance by well rigs sites, pipelines etc
- CO-27 Number, frequency, extent and volume of oil spills from all sources
- CO-28 Quantity of discharges of different substances from humans activities to coastal and marine waters
- CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-64 Quantity of various substances discharged by offshore extraction activities
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
Key
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