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Aquenal
has recently undertaken or initiated a number of research projects,
desktop studies, ecological surveys and environmental impact studies.
This work has involved marine, as well as avian, ecological assessments
at numerous sites in Tasmania, and survey work in other parts of
Australia. Information on the latest Aquenal projects is provided
below.
Gunns pulp mill marine ecological baseline surveys and monitoring
program
A pulp mill has been proposed that includes an ocean
outfall located 3 km offshore from the Tasmanian north coast and
a wharf site in
the Tamar Estuary. Aquenal was commissioned to perform baseline
studies of marine ecological communities and water and sediment
pollutants
at these two sites. Survey work included underwater filming and
habitat mapping, benthic infaunal and sediment sampling, baited
fish video
surveys, quadrat assessments of percentage cover of algae and other
sessile species, and water quality sampling. Aquenal subsequently
designed a marine ecological monitoring program on the basis of
MBACI principles, and is currently implementing the pre-operational
phase
of this program. Back to top
Marine and avian ecological baseline studies for the Lauderdale Quay
proposal
Aquenal has conducted marine and avian ecological baseline
surveys for the proposed Lauderdale Quay
project
in southern Tasmania. The marine ecological survey work involved
surveys of threatened and protected species and a range of other
species and communities, including marine pests. Avian surveys
have also been conducted to collect information on the ecology and
values of the proposed development
site. Data
collected has been compiled as technical baseline reports that
will be provided to other consultants involved in conducting the
impact
assessment for the project. Back to top
Marine biodiversity monitoring
survey at Lord Howe Island, New South Wales
Following a baseline biodiversity survey conducted by Aquenal in
2006, we were recently commissioned to perform a bi-annual monitoring
survey of marine biodiversity at Lord Howe Island. The survey incorporated
the main island of Lord Howe, the Admiralty Islands off the north
coast and Balls Pyramid, a rocky
outcrop located 23 km to the south east of Lord Howe Island. The
surveys focussed on subtidal and intertidal reefs and utilised transect
and quadrat methods to count and identify the diversity of fish,
mobile invertebrates and sessile species present. Information collected
will be important for assessing ecological change within the marine
park. Back to top
Assessment and mapping of
foreshore values, condition and pressures in the Southern NRM Region,
Tasmania
Aquenal
was awarded a project funded through NRM South to help implement
the
Natural
Resource
Management
Strategy
of the South Region, Tasmania. The project was aimed at mapping
data on foreshore values, pressures, uses and condition. Information
was mapped in a format compatible
with the Land Information System Tasmania (LIST) and
will bridge a gap between existing mapping of coastal and marine
habitats. The study forms a basis for strategic management
of foreshores in the region, provides a tool for Local and
State government, and establishes benchmarks and reference
sites for assessing
future change. The mapping layers created are available under the
Natural Environment (Coastal Values) category on the LIST website,
while an explanatory report is provided on our Reports page.
Aquenal is currently exploring avenues for expanding this valuable
work to
include other parts of Tasmania. Back
to top
Review of technologies for marine pest emergency
eradication response
Aquenal was commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Department
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to conduct a desktop
study to identify, describe and assess prospective containment
and treatment technologies that have been used in, or can be
adapted to, marine pest eradication/control in the Australian marine
and
estuarine environment. The report produced also documented potential
treatment technologies that could be used to treat biofouling
on commercial and other vessels/structures in-water on a rapid response
basis, including technologies to contain a vessel in-water to
allow chemical treatment of (for example) the hull. The aim was to
identify
technologies that are simple, cost-effective and applicable to
a number of taxa and Australian marine/estuarine environments
with minimal modification. Back to top
Sampling and identifying biofouling on commercial fishing vessels
The commercial fishing bio-fouling project was commissioned by
the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry (DAFF) and involved sampling dry-docked vessels
in
major ports around Australia. Quantitative quadrat scrapes were
taken from hulls, with additional qualitative samples collected
from fishing gear and other potential collection points. The
aim was to identify the current composition of marine pest assemblages
found as biofouling in niche areas and fishing gear by conducting
vessel surveys in as many jurisdictions and fisheries as possible.
Samples of marine flora and fauna collected were identified
to species
level or the lowest possible taxonomic unit. Back
to top
Development of Draft National Control Plans for agreed marine pests
of concern
Aquenal was commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Department
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to develop National
Control Plans for six key marine pest species already established
and of concern in Australia. The project was aimed at developing
practical management plans and cost effective approaches that that
can be
implemented by all jurisdictions and will improve any measures currently
in place
to prevent, control or manage the impacts of the six species specified.
Recommendations were also provided regarding future research
and development options for each species, including the development
of
cost benefit analysis and planning tools. Back
to top
Review of the National Marine Pest Monitoring Guidelines and Manual
Aquenal was commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Department
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to review the Marine
Pest Monitoring Guidelines and Manual developed in accordance with
the National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest
Incursions. The objectives were to review and evaluate monitoring
trial surveys and, in consultation with museum staff and other researchers
around Australia, develop a revised monitoring manual that is user
friendly and practical. Back to top
Port Botany Expansion Project biofouling
inspections
Sydney Ports require all dredging equipment and floating plant associated
with the Port Botany Expansion Project to be free of organisms and
foreign sediment that present a risk to the integrity of the marine
ecosystem of Botany Bay. Jan Du Nul (the world’s largest dredging
company) have contracted the Australian Maritime College to manage
this work, who have in turn engaged Aquenal to assist with inspecting
all dredging equipment and floating plant to ensure it is free of
marine pests and foreign sediment prior to use. Back
to top
IMProtector – research and development for a vessel hull
decontamination tool
Aquenal has been conducting its own research and development project
(IMProtector) to develop a practical and inexpensive means of isolating
and decontaminating vessel hulls to destroy bio-fouling communities
and hence significantly reduce the risk of introduction of marine
pests via this vector. The IMProtector caters for vessels up to
25 m in length and can be installed without vessels needing to be
removed
from the water. To date Aquenal has designed and fabricated a prototype
system which has been tested on ocean going yachts ranging from
10.8 m to 12.5 m in length. Further development and testing is currently
being conducted, however if the IMProtector system proves to be
as
practical and effective as our early tests indicate, there is considerable
potential for deployment of similar systems in ports of entry,
cruising yacht clubs and high value marine protected areas. Click
here for additional
information on the IMProtector. Back to top
Marine farm monitoring surveys
This is an on-going area of our work, and Aquenal has recently performed
a number of baseline and monitoring surveys of marine finfish
farms. Further information on this area of our
work is available on our Work
History page. Back to top
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