Summit studies Kimberley research needs
18 March 2008
Scientists and representatives of industry, business, State and Federal Government agencies, non-government organisations and community groups have conducted a one-day summit to identify the major management questions and knowledge gaps that could affect the sustainable development of the waters and coastline of Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
The summit was part of a study being conducted for the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) to prepare an integrated scientific and business case for the area from the southern end of the 80 Mile Beach, south of Broome, to the WA-Northern Territory border and 200 nautical miles out to sea.
Among the major issues raised by the summit participants was the importance of the social, ecological and economic values in the region. They also saw a need for ongoing environmental management and monitoring in the Kimberley marine and coastal environments.
Participants noted there were very large gaps in knowledge about the marine science of the region.
The major scientific issues included:
• the need to collect baseline and biodiversity information;
• the establishment of long-term monitoring;
• the collection of physical data on the ocean bed, meteorology, climate and bathymetry; and
• an inventory of the habitats in the region and their interconnectivity.
The study is being conducted for WAMSI by Dr Mike Wood, the Professor of Management at Notre Dame University, and Dr Des Mills, an environmental scientist with extensive experience in oceanography.
Dr Wood said that the summit also demonstrated the need for greater collaboration between the private and public sectors in undertaking a major strategic scientific study in the region.
“More than 40 people, representing major organisations and sectors across the country, attended the summit, some at their own cost. To us, this demonstrated the great degree of support there is across government, the private sector and non-government organisations to ensure that marine science can be applied to further inform decisions about the long-term future of the Kimberley.”
Dr Wood said the study aimed to show the gaps in knowledge of the marine science of the region – its oceanography, biodiversity, fisheries, ecology and human usage – and how these can be addressed, as well as how the area was likely to be affected by ongoing climate change.
He said the study would assist in defining the case for greater investment in marine science research for longer term future conservation and development decisions in the Kimberley-Browse Basin region.
The consultants will deliver their report to WAMSI, a large joint venture partnership involving 15 State and Federal Government agencies, the universities and the private sector, by mid-August.
For an interview with Dr Wood or more information, please contact Paul Byrne on 9336 2081 or 0417 922 452.