The Seabed Mapping and Characterisation project provides fundamental geoscience information for Australia's seabed. The project coordinates the delivery of products to the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism in support of the Offshore Energy Security Program.
This involves:
A raised awareness of the use of geoscience data in marine environmental assessments by the governments and the petroleum resource industry.
Use of geoscience data in the Australian Government's decision-making processes for the management of the marine environment and its resources.
Undertaking reconnaissance surveys to targeted areas of Australia's marine region with sub-sequent preparation of associated post-survey reports. Data collected during these surveys include:
The acquired data will be used for environmental analysis and to plan a program of industry-standard 2D seismic acquisition.
Preparing reports characterising the main seabed environments in petroleum acreage release regions for the Australian margin.
Updated geomorphic features, seabed substrates, and benthic environments ('seascapes') for Australia's marine region, incorporating new data collected on the marine reconnaissance surveys.
Providing technical advice to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in support of environmental management of Australia's marine region, including the establishment of a national representative system of marine protected areas.