NESP MaC Project 4.9 - Assessing the vulnerability of southern right whale and blue whale populations to disturbance from windfarm developments, 2024-2025 (UQ)

Research Project

Researchers: Emma Flukes (Point of contact) ,  Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (Associated with)

Full description This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Research Plan 2024 project "Assessing the vulnerability of southern right whale and blue whale populations to disturbance from windfarm developments". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata.
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Offshore renewable energy (ORE) development is expanding in Australian waters. This includes regions that overlap with feeding and breeding areas for Endangered blue whales and southern right whales. Underwater noise from construction and operation of offshore wind infrastructure may affect whale behaviour, energetics and reproduction, requiring assessment of potential population-level consequences under the EPBC Act.

This desktop study used available data and expert elicitation to develop interim Population Consequences of Disturbance (iPCoD) models for blue whales and southern right whales in relation to one or multiple offshore wind developments off Portland and Gippsland, Victoria. The modelling followed a decision pathway that considered spatial and temporal overlap with whale populations, the proportion of populations affected, life stages and reproductive phases exposed, and the likelihood of repeated disturbance.

The models were used to assess the timing, location and potential cumulative effects of underwater noise at a regional scale. Outputs identified high-risk species and scenarios, priority data gaps, research needs, and mitigation requirements needed to reduce the likelihood of compromised population viability.

The iPCoD framework can be updated as new data become available and integrated with other modelling approaches. The framework is relevant for risk assessment against other ocean-based activities such as seismic surveys oil and gas infrastructure, and carbon capture and storage. The project outputs support offshore wind assessment and regulation, species recovery planning, and development of underwater noise guidance.

Outputs
• iPCoD model outputs [dataset]
• Final Project Report [written]

Lineage Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded

Notes Credit
This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, the Environment, Energy & Water (DCCEEW) through the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub. In addition to NESP (DCCEEW) funding, this project is matched by an equivalent amount of in-kind support and co-investment from project partners and collaborators.

Notes Purpose
To assess and forecast the likelihood of population-level effects of proposed ORE development activities for blue whales and southern right whales, and assess their vulnerability to the disturbance.

Data time period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-02-28

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