Indicator: CO-50 Number of collisions with marine animals
Data
Data on shipping collisions with marine animals are not available in any comprehensive form. There is no requirement for shipping logs to report such collisions and, in the case of large ships and small animals, the ship’s crew may not even know a collision has occurred.
However, some relevant data can be obtained from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service: Marine Stranding and Mortality Database.
| Year | Marine turtles | Cetaceans and Pinnipeds | Dugongs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | n/k | n/k | 3 | n/k |
| 1997 | n/k | n/k | 4 | n/k |
| 1998 | n/k | 1 | 2 | n/k |
| 1999 | 84 | 2 | 0 | 86 |
| 2000 | 78 | 0 | 2 | 80 |
| 2001 | 83 | 0 | 4 | 87 |
| 2002 | 65 | 0 | 7 | 72 |
Source: Limpus, C. J.; Currie, K. J. & Haines, J. A. 2002, Marine wildlife stranding and mortality database annual report 2002: II. Cetacean and pinniped, Qld Environmental Protection Agency, viewed 8 Jun 2006, http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/publications/p01191aa.pdf/Marine_wildlife_stranding
_and_mortality_database_annual_report_2002_II_Cetacean_and_pinniped.pdf.
What the data mean
It appears, primarily from the evidence of bone fractures, that a significant proportion of animals, especially turtles, stranded on the Queensland coast, are the victims of boat strike. Numbers by years are still too variable to suggest any overall trends.
Data Limitations
The Marine Stranding and Mortality Database only provides a ‘tip of the iceberg’ indication of the impact of shipping collisions on marine animals.
- Only animals that are stranded on the Queensland coast are recorded - other States do not keep such a database.
- Animals that recover and survive, or are injured too far from the coast to be washed up, or are eaten rather than stranded, are not recorded.
- Animals suffering bone fractures from other causes besides collisions with shipping, including natural causes, may be included.
Issues for which this is an indicator and why
Coasts and Oceans — Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressure of shipping
As well as placing pressure on marine life through pollution, debris and introduced species, ships, as large, hard masses moving under power through the habitats of marine animals can exert pressure by colliding with those animals. Given the ever-increasing number of ships traversing the oceans, the potential for collisions with marine animals is continually increasing. Number of recorded instances of collisions would give some idea of the extent of this pressure.
Other indicators for this issue:
- 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-51 Quantity of sewerage and ballast water dumped by shipping
- CO-52 Evidence or examples of impacts of channel dredging for shipping on marine life
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
- CO-67 Progress of the Australian shipping fleet towards meeting the targets of the International Convention on the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships
- LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
Biodiversity — Pressures on biodiversity - Pressures on marine biodiversity: pressures of shipping
Collisions between shipping and sea animals has the potential to place pressure on biodiversity. Number of recorded instances of collisions would give some idea of the extent of this pressure.
Other indicators for this issue:
- 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-51 Quantity of sewerage and ballast water dumped by shipping
- CO-52 Evidence or examples of impacts of channel dredging for shipping on marine life
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
- CO-67 Progress of the Australian shipping fleet towards meeting the targets of the International Convention on the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships
- LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
Key
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Links to data in the DRS
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