National Marine Benthic Bioregionalisation

Project description

Australia's Oceans Policy 1998 requires environmental managers to adopt an integrated ecosystem-based approach for ocean management and preservation of marine biodiversity.

The Department of Environment and Heritage (National Oceans Office) and Geoscience Australia have developed the draft national marine benthic bioregionalisation for Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The draft bioregionalisation:

• covers the seabed beyond the shelf break or approximately 80% of Australia's EEZ;
• consists of a hierarchy of bioregions at progressively smaller spatial scales that reflect ecosystem structures and processes; and
• complements the existing Interim Marine and Coastal Regionalisation of Australia.

Development of the draft national marine benthic bioregionalisation was lead by Geoscience Australia in collaboration with CSIRO - Marine and Atmospheric Research and Queensland Museum.

The national benthic marine bioregionalisation, supporting information and audio-visual products are contained on an interactive DVD that can be obtained from the National Oceans Office.

The national benthic marine bioregionalisation is due for public release in September 2005.

Map showing geomorphic features of the Australian margin. These data were a key dataset used in constructing the National Benthic Marine Bioregionalisation (report cover shown).