Kimberley Marine Research Program 2012-2017

Chris SimpsonMarine Science Program, DECKMRP Node Leader, WAMSI

Kelly WaplesKMRP Science Co-ordinator

WAMSI North West Symposium21 February 2013

Outline

• Background• Geographical focus• Outcomes• Projects• What next

Background

• Remote and isolated• Widely recognised wilderness area• Marine biodiversity ‘hot spot’ • A major centre of Aboriginal culture

Background (con’t)

• Increasing tourism• Scott Reef - O&G• Browse Basin - O&G• INPEX - Kimberley offshore islands• Woodside – Kimberley mainland • 2007-2008 – site selection process

Background (con’t)

• 2008 - WAMSI 1 – a turning of the tide report• 2011 – Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy

How we got here

WAMSI Kimberly Marine Research Program (KMRP)

•$12M State Government funding over 6 years (2011 State Budget)

Additional Kimberley funding:• IMOS - $2.2M• MPAs - $15M over 4 years

GoalUndertake a program of marine research to support the conservation and management of the waters of the Kimberley, particularly the proposed State marine parks.

“… to recognize and conserve one of the world’s last great wilderness areas.”

Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy

Where

Primary KMRP Outcomes

Enhanced capacity to:• Plan and manage Kimberley marine park network• Identify and manage human impacts and potential risks• Understand, adapt to and mitigate climate change

impacts• Plan and manage tourism, recreational and commercial

activities, incl. fishing• Include indigenous knowledge and participation in

marine management

KMRP Science PlanDeveloping a regional perspective across two major research areas:

• Characterizing the biological, physical and social environment

• Understanding key ecosystem processes & response to human impacts, incl. CC

ProjectsBiodiversity and Habitats

• Benthic biodiversity - Coastal biodiversity- Shelf habitats

• Herbivory and recruitment• Ecological Connectivity

ProjectsMarine Fauna • Humpback whales• Turtles• Dolphins• Dugong• Shorebirds• Crocodiles

ProjectsPhysical world• Reef growth and geomorphology• Oceanography• Remote sensing

Proposed Projects Processes• Climate change• Primary productivity• Energy flow from catchment to coast to ocean• Making predictions

ProjectsPeople • Indigenous coastal knowledge• Human use and impacts • Values and aspirations

Logistics• Remote and limited land access• Limited science infrastructure - Cygnet Bay• Costly and dangerous • High level of operational integration • High level of local knowledge

What next• Engagement and consultation (on-going)• Project agreements (mostly complete) • Field work (some underway)• Information sharing and knowledge transfer• Regular WAMSI Symposia

For further information:

Turning the Tide report, KMRP Strategy and KMRP Science Plan available at www.wamsi.org

Contact:

Chris SimpsonKMRP Node LeaderMarine Science Program, DECChris.simpson@dec.wa.gov.au

Kelly WaplesScience Coordinator, KMRPMarine Science Program, DECKelly.waples@dec.wa.gov.au

Questions?