Ichthys Gas Field Development - Coral and other benthic primary producer (BPP) assemblages.

Brief description

The marine ecology studies will provide detailed mapping of the coral and other benthic primary producer (BPP) assemblages in subtidal and intertidal areas around Browse Island, the Maret Islands and surrounding islands of the Bonaparte Archipelago. The regional data will provide a broader base against which to assess the significance of potential impacts to marine benthic habitats around the Maret Islands. The studies will be sufficient to support a benthic primary producer habitat assessment in accordance with Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Guidance Statement 29 (Environmental Protection Authority 2004a) and to provide guidance on the management measures required to meet the EPA objective of maintaining the abundance, diversity, geographic distribution and productivity of BPPs. The objectives of the marine ecological studies are to: - Map the intertidal and subtidal marine habitats around the Maret Islands including those in potential development areas and at reference islands; - Describe the physical structure (geology and sedimentology) of intertidal and subtidal features that support the biological assemblages; - Identify the conservation significance and environmental sensitivities of subtidal and intertidal assemblages in areas potentially affected by the proposed development (in the context of the West Kimberley bioregion and other reference sites); Determine the spawning period(s) for major coral taxa in the Maret Islands area; Assess genetic connectivity between corals around Browse Island and in other parts of the offshore coral province; - Determine the species richness, assemblage composition and significance of deepwater (>200 m water depth) infauna communities in areas to be drilled; - Assess the likelihood of the occurrence of endemic marine subtidal and intertidal fauna; and - Search for small Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC)-listed fish in intertidal habitats. LOCATIONS: West Montalivet, East Montalivet, Albert, Berthier, Bigge, Lamarck and Browse Islands and Rob Roy Reef.

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: unknown

Statement: Original record compiled for the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), Project 3.8, 2008.

Notes

Credit
Greg Oliver: INPEX Browse Ltd