eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) · 2001 · 35 citations · 0 references
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Natural ResourcesMarine BiologyMarine SciencesMarine ConservationMarine EcologyProtected Area PolicyMarine Conservation PolicyMarine Ecosystem ManagementMarine Environmental PolicyMarine Habitat ConservationMarine Protected Area ManagementMarine Protected Area PolicyCoastal Habitat MappingHabitat Mapping For ConservationMarine Conservation PlanningMarine Habitat ProtectionMarine Protected Area AssessmentMarine Protected Area DesignationMarine Protected Area Habitat MappingMarine Protected Areas
A National System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA) is currently being \nestablished in Australia with the collaboration of governments at the State and Federal \nlevel. In Tasmania this policy is articulated in the State Marine Protected Area Strategy \n(MMIC 2001) that recognises the need for a Comprehensive, Adequate and \nRepresentative (CAR) system of MPAs for State waters. The State and Commonwealth \nMPA implementation strategies each recognise that for MPAs to be established on a \nCAR basis, a thorough inventory of marine habitats is needed to ensure areas selected \nare appropriate. \nThis study presents the first such inventory for Tasmanian waters, with detailed \nmapping of marine habitats within the Bruny Bioregion. The study had two objectives, \nto map the marine habitats in the Bruny Bioregion and to use this information to \nidentify candidate MPAs that fulfil CAR requirements. While Tasmanian waters \ninclude nine bioregions, the Bruny region was identified as a priority for mapping due \nto its high degree of marine endemism, high habitat diversity and the more urgent need \nfor protection given the high population density of the region in close association with \nthe capital city, Hobart. \nMaps were produced at a scale of 1:25,000, showing the principal habitat types in \nshallow inshore coastal waters to the 40 m depth contour. The production of maps \ninvolved extensive field surveys of the region from small vessels equipped with colour \nsounders and differential GPS. Position, depth and bottom type were continuously \nlogged in real time using a computer application developed for this task. Regular video \ndrops were conducted to validate interpretation of sounder signals. Aerial photographs \nwere scanned and rectified to provide more detailed information on habitats in inshore \nareas where water clarity allowed. For most of the coast the utility of aerial \nphotographs was limited to a depth of ten metres. The information was collated and \nmapped using the GIS application ArcView, allowing detailed analysis of habitat \ndistribution by depth and exposure. \nThe habitat maps were then used to suggest a number of potential MPA locations that \nwould protect a comprehensive range of marine habitats within this bioregion. \nSufficient information is also available for discussion of alternative MPA options as \npart of stakeholder negotiations during the implementation of the Tasmanian Marine \nProtected Area Strategy (2001).