Note:
This project was finalised in March 2006 and is updated with new reports as they become available.
Aim
and outcome of study
Information to be compiled for this Conservation Values
assessment
Note, all of this information is to be assembled / interpreted to the extent possible. In some cases, there
may be no relevant information.
1. A Description of the Physical Environment
- Bathymetry - to a resolution required to identify
biophysical values
- Geomorphology
- Oceanography
- Distinct sub-regions within the assessment area
2. A Description of the Biological Environment
- Comprehensive list of taxa to lowest practical
taxonomic rank.
- Full list of species that are of known ecological,
commercial, cultural or recreational importance (to be referred
to below as key species, where the term key simply means species
of interest or special concern).
- Abundances and distributions of key species
- Behaviour and life history of known key species,
e.g. breeding, feeding, migratory paths, etc. as they relate to
the area.
- Key processes such as trophic relationships and
species interdependence including any known functional linkage with
other communities/systems or areas outside the assessment area
- Definition of discrete biological units (ecosystems
/ habitats / communities / assemblages / systems) within assessment
area
- If specific locations are found within the general
area studied for the conservation values assessment as having particularly
high biophysical values or other features of specific interest,
these locations should be identified and described.
3. Address to the extent possible each MPA Identification
Criterion
- Representativeness
- Comprehensiveness
- Uniqueness;
- Naturalness;
- Ecological importance;
- Biogeographic importance;
- International or national importance;
- Productivity; and
- Vulnerability.
-
see Guidelines
4. Current and Potential Uses and Existing Management
Regimes
Provide information, to the extent possible, on the following
- Fisheries - Complete information on commercial,
charter, amateur and traditional fisheries including:
- catch composition and distribution of fisheries
- catch quantities including bycatch of non-commercial species;
- main fishing methods and boat types;
- number of non-commercial and commercial operators using the
area;
- Minerals and petroleum - exploitable minerals present,
potential petroleum and mineral reserves, any exploration leases
granted, seismic activity, location of any wells, etc
- Tourism and recreation (non fishing) - types of
use/activity, visitation rates, seasonal use patterns, number of
commercial operators
- Maritime transport - locations of shipping lanes
and volumes of traffic
- Indigenous interests/values.
- Describe the legislation and management arrangements
(both domestic and international) relevant to each of the uses above
and or to the assessment area generally.
- Scientific and education values - such as ongoing
projects, exploration, and relevance for future local and regional
users.
5. Current and Potential Impacts on Natural Values
The report should identify natural processes and anthropogenic processes that may impact on the biophysical values of the assessment
area. For example, the report should identify/list any existing and
potential pressures from human impacts such as physical, chemical and
or biological processes that impact on biophysical values such as the
disturbance of seagrass habitat, heavy metal contamination and predation
by introduced pests. Similarly the risk and associated impact
of storm events, global warming and natural predators, etc., should
be described.
Updated:
18/04/11
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