2007 - 2008, Gardline Geosurvey Ltd, Regional Environmental Characterisation Survey South Coast Region - Survey Data

Description

The aim of the South Coast Regional Environmental Characterisation (REC) survey was to acquire data, of the highest quality and resolution possible, to enable broadscale characterisation of the seabed habitat, associated biological communities and potential historic environmental assets within the region. The South Coast regional survey area consisted of 28 survey corridors, each comprising of one centerline and two wing lines, totaling approximately 4,100 line km. High quality seabed imagery was obtained at 92 stations, beam trawls were successfully completed at 26 stations, and Hamon and clamshell grabs were completed at all stations where the seabed imagery indicated that the seabed was suitable for sampling activities. The specific objectives of the project were to: Acquire acoustic and geophysical data capable of describing broadscale seabed habitats and potential historic environment assets within the region, and so developing the understanding of the physical processes that influence the regional seabed, historic environment and its faunal communities; Acquire seabed imagery, seabed grab samples, and scientific beam trawl to describe the types of seabed habitats and epifauna that exist within the region and enable the future interpretation of acoustic and geophysical data; Acquire data capable of determining the location and significance of rare or regionally unique habitats or those that might be considered for protection under the terms of national conservation legislation; Acquire data capable of determining the significance of habitats and benthic species identified in maintaining the health of higher tropic levels of regional marine communities; Acquire geophysical, geological and biological data to support the integrated management of offshore resources in the region and to provide a better basis for marine spatial planning; Ensure that industry-led regional and licence specific monitoring data are placed within a wider description of habitats that highlights the relative importance of those habitats; Provide a resource that will enable improved management of marine offshore activities now and into the future and which may be used to resolve conflicts regarding seafloor use.