BRUVS surveys collected for the Barossa Environmental Baseline Study 2015, Western Australia (ConocoPhillips)

Brief description

Stereo Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) were deployed and retrieved across two shoals of regional interest, Evans and Tassie Shoals, two of the closest shoals to the Barossa field. The allocation of deployment positions across each shoal was conducted using a regular/random design within the bounds of the 60 m depth contour whilst maintaining a minimum distance of 250 m between each stereo-BRUVS unit. Once the positions were derived, the sequence of deployments, in sets of eight replicate units, was determined by proximity and prevailing sea conditions on the day. A total of 72 stereo-BRUVS deployments were conducted at Evans Shoal, and 23 deployments at Tassie Shoal The BRUVS surveys were undertaken by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in collaboration with ConocoPhillips as part of the Barossa field environmental baseline and marine studies program. The surveys were undertaken between 13 September and 1 October 2015, on the RV Solander. They covered five principle locations of regional interest, including Evans, Tassie and Blackwood Shoals, the closest shoals to the Barossa field, as well as two mid-shelf seabed locations adjacent to Goodrich Bank and Cape Helvetius, relevant to a potential gas export pipeline route.

Notes

Heyward, A: AIMS Colquhoun, J: AIMS Stower, M: AIMS Case, M: AIMS