CONFERENCE SYMPOSIA
Protection and conservation of oceans and seas through the application of Indigenous knowledge and values
Chair(s): Alby Marsh (The NZ Institute for Plant & Food Research), Waitangi Wood (Wai Communications), Hemi Cumming (NZ Institute for Plant and Food Research)
Description: Indigenous peoples are connected by the expanses of ocean. A significant part of our history is our connection to ocean’s which has informed our language, culture, narrative and relationships with our natural environment and people. Through generations of globalisation influenced by Western Society, historical strategies and policy have distanced Indigenous peoples from the Sea as Indigenous peoples seek to return and reinstate their Traditional Knowledge and Values to reverse the decline of anthropogenic impacts and unpredictable natural global events, strategic trust partnerships have seen the elevation of Indigenous peoples in the conservation and preservation of our coastlines, oceans and seas.
We invite submissions from a broad range of research disciplines including Indigenous and Western science practitioners able to share and demonstrate their experiences of traditional and contemporary knowledge systems in relation to the Moana (Sea Country) These include but not limited to:-
Traditional or cultural practices in a changing environment
Sharing lived experience: Indigenous communities as sea custodians.
Spiritual, physical, cultural relationships with the Moana (Sea Country)
Exploring an integrated approach from an Indigenous perspective
Strengthening partnerships through deeper understanding of Indigenous priorities
Showcase successful partnerships that elevate the states of First Nations alongside agency, government organisations and scientists and researchers.
We encourage Indigenous researchers and traditional practitioners from from Australasia and the Pacific to share narratives and projects that demonstrate how traditional and emergent Indigenous knowledge is creating better coastal and ocean environments for future generations.
Better together – genuine Indigenous partnerships 2023
Chair(s): Damien Burrows (Reef and Rainforest Research Centre), Ricky Archer (NAILSMA), Yvette Williams (Reef and Rainforest Research Centre), Justin Perry (NAILSMA)
Description: The Indigenous Estate covers > 45% of Australia (greater than 78% of Northern Australia); which is reflected through over 450 registered Native Title determinations, in conjunction with 1,230 registered Indigenous Land Use Agreements and 76 proclaimed Indigenous Protected Areas. However, the capacity for economic, social and cultural development on this vast and growing estate has not achieved its potential due to a lack of an enabling policy and practical applied research that supports improved education, health, housing, environment, innovation and technology uptake.
A pathway to improving outcomes and uptake of key research for Indigenous estate, communities and organisations is to develop insights and learnings from past and current research to establish meaningful and respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities' groups and industries. Recent reviews of Indigenous engagement shows that Indigenous peoples seek earlier involvement in on land and sea country research. This means being formally included in the project design, development and delivery.
This symposium will discuss the progress towards a national level platform for Indigenous partnerships to enable co-ordination of Indigenous research needs (Ricky Archer), describe a pathway to genuine Indigenous engagement and partnerships (symposium speakers) and showcase past and current research projects which have achieved better applied research outcomes by following a co-design, co-develop and co-deliver (symposium speakers).
Seascape scale restoration of sea country
Chair(s): Megan Saunders, Ana Bugnot and Maria Vozzo (CSIRO)
Description: Interest in marine and coastal restoration is increasing rapidly with a desire to use restoration to recover biodiversity, the delivery of ecosystem services, and to act as a ‘nature-based solution’ to societal challenges. To date, most marine restoration projects have been conducted for single habitats and/or over small spatial scales. However, there are ecological interactions within and among connected coastal habitats, like wave attenuation, sediment trapping, and nutrient filtration which lead to repeatable patterns of distribution in coastal systems. Scaling up restoration to seascape scales will be made more effective by harnessing these positive interactions.
The scope of this symposium includes: 1) multi-habitat ecological restoration; 2) processes and functions of marine ecosystems which lead to interactions among habitats; 3) Indigenous knowledge and values in Sea Country and how they relate to multi-habitat and seascape restoration; 4) large-scale and coordinated restoration projects; 5) spatial modelling and earth observation of connected coastal marine ecosystems; and 6) lessons learned in overcoming barriers to multi-habitat restoration.
The expected audience for the symposium includes researchers, students, Traditional Owners, decision makers and practitioners who are interested in restoration, seascape habitat distribution, ecological facilitation / interactions, and the integration of Traditional Knowledge and Values with western science.
Restoration and adaptation of Australia’s coral reefs
Chair(s): Ian McLeod (James Cook University)
Description: Efforts to rehabilitate and restore degraded reefs worldwide have accelerated in the past decade, creating a global movement in proactive reef management. The 2021-30 United Nations Decades of Ecosystem Restoration and Ocean Science highlight the critical need for a movement of collective actions, strategic investment and knowledge exchange to ensure these efforts are effective and meaningful whilst tackling climate change. Coral restoration was not evident in Australia until five years ago when recurrent mass bleaching drove large losses in coral cover; since then there are now >25 projects, one of the world's largest marine science research and development programs (the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program), and unique community-based hubs of restoration activity within the two major tourism centres (Cairns-Port Douglas, Whitsundays). Many of the goals of these reef restoration and adaptation activities underway rest on connections and change, the goals of this AMSA conference. This symposium welcomes all contributions that widely cover results and learnings from: (1) coral restoration research, and how it is informing practice via application, particularly working with diverse partners , (2) innovative restoration methods and techniques being evaluated, implemented and/or scaled, (3) diverse topics that cover restoration from fundamental biology and ecology to socio-economic disciplines.
Eco-engineering and coastal management for sustainable cities
Chair(s): Thea Bradford (City University of Hong Kong)
Description: The combination of the principles of ecology and engineering to form eco-engineering is based in the need for restoration of the shorelines of cities and ports. Shoreline armouring using techniques such as seawalls is prevalent in Australia's coastal cities and is a major issue worldwide. The groundbreaking restoration work down in the field of eco-engineering in Australia can be used to inspire large-scale global projects.
Advances in Autonomy for Marine Observations
Chair(s): Hui Sheng Lim, Andreas Marouchos and Andrew Filisetti (CSIRO)
Description: Autonomous technologies, such as autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), offer the potential to substantially increase the scale of future marine observations. Autonomous technologies can be a force multiplier for marine observation, collecting ocean data over extensive spatial and temporal scales while requiring fewer human operators. Given the cost of operating ship-based research platforms in the ocean, autonomous systems can provide a cost-effective means of rapidly scaling observation systems over a broad geographical area. Autonomy promises to deliver greater manoeuvrability, longer endurance and reduced operational risks, which can address the critical challenges of localisation, persistence and scale faced by the existing marine observation methods. The use of autonomous systems for marine observations offers new perspectives to generate a greater understanding of the ocean.
To fully leverage the potential of autonomy in marine observations, autonomous systems require innovations in mission planning and data collection strategies, as well as improvement in polar navigation capabilities, sensor data fusion, and integration with the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This session aims to gather works that address the most recent advances and applications of operations and technology in marine autonomy for enhancing data collection and observation of marine environments.
The future of satellite oceanography in Australia: a new era of satellite missions for monitoring the health of Australia’s aquatic systems
Chair(s): Lachlan McKinna (Go2Q Pty Ltd), David Blondeau-Patissier (CSIRO), Marites Canto (CSIRO)
Description: Satellite remote sensing technology used for observing marine and inland water ecosystems has improved markedly over the last decade, providing valuable insights into physical, chemical, and biological processes. Remote sensing datasets help support environmental monitoring efforts and our understanding of spatiotemporal changes. Over the coming decade, the Australian and international community will launch a new generation of Earth observation (EO) missions that will further enhance our monitoring capabilities dedicated to the study and management of aquatic ecosystems. These state-of-the-art satellite missions include NASA’s PACE (launch expected in 2024) and the multi-partner AquaWatch Australia ground-to-space sensors system (expected in 2028). In this symposium, we will showcase innovative EO approaches for monitoring aquatic ecosystems, specifically those exploring ecosystem dynamics, the carbon cycle, inland and coastal processes, (harmful) algae blooms, marine aerosols, ocean-atmosphere interactions, and climate-driven trends. We welcome research that challenges existing paradigms in our understanding of the capabilities of EO technology for aquatic environmental monitoring, particularly the use of passive and active space-borne sensors (e.g., SAR, LiDAR, radiometry, multi-angle polarimetry). Research presentations exploring synergies between satellite sensors or with other remote sensing technologies (UAV, AUV, airborne), ocean observing systems, process experiments, and biogeochemical models are also encouraged.
The Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS): A national collaboration to support high-quality marine research
Chair(s): Paul van Ruth, Michelle Heupel and Natalia Ribeiro (IMOS)
Description: Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) was established in 2006 and is funded through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). IMOS is recognised as a regional alliance in the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and is a global leader in sustained observation. IMOS observations include physical, chemical, and biological measures and stretch from the Southern Ocean to the tropics. The data collected are integral to understanding our marine ecosystems, weather, and climate.
IMOS has a singular goal: to deliver benefits to Australia through systematic, sustained and scientifically robust observations of our marine estate. The science direction of IMOS is driven by mechanisms that include the National Marine Science Plan, the National Climate Science Strategy, GOOS 2030 Strategy, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030, and national government priorities. Through input from the IMOS regional Nodes and our Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), IMOS compiles a perspective that scales up regional needs into a national context to create broad benefit.
We invite submissions from all users of IMOS data that showcase the high-quality research that underpins the impact the program delivers across society and culture, the economy, and the environment.
Advances in seagrass conservation
Chair(s): Abigail Wookey (Deakin University), Lucy Coals (Deakin University), Craig Sherman (Deakin University), Emma Jackson (CQUniversity)
Description: Seagrasses are foundation species which provide a myriad of ecosystem services; they support food security and local economies, mitigate against the impacts of climate change, provide nursery grounds for biodiversity, and play a key role in nutrient cycling. Seagrass ecosystem functions contribute to 16 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, however, they are declining globally and continue to face major threats from changes in land-use, direct destruction and declining water quality.
Concerns over the global loss of seagrasses has stimulated efforts to reverse habitat loss. Research ranges from fundamental research on the ecology, physiology, genetics and evolution of seagrass, to more applied studies understanding the distribution, status, and developing solutions to assist seagrass conservation, such as methods for restoration. Restoration has become the focus of the UN Decade for 2020-2030 and is becoming a commonly used tool to enhance ecosystem services and compensate for habitat loss.
This symposium welcomes contributions from both fundamental and applied research that contributes to a greater understanding of the health and status of seagrass ecosystems and the tools and knowledge needed to reverse the declines in these critical marine ecosystems into the future.
Signals from the sea - marine megafauna as ocean sentinels
Chair(s): Olaf Meynecke (Griffith University), Rachael Gray (Sydney University), Ana Sequeira (Australian National University), Holly Raudino (Dep of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions), Jodi Edwards (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology)
Description: Marine megafauna such as whales, turtles, dolphins, pinnipeds, dugongs and sharks are iconic values in Australia and are significant for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Marine megafauna can be valuable indicators for the state of our oceans and Sea Country; however, the connections linking life in the sea are complex, requiring diverse and holistic research and management approaches. Using a two-way science approach that weaves Traditional science and Western science together is key to better understanding and protecting these species. As coastal waters are being transformed through urbanisation and marine environments experiencing rapid alteration through climate change, shipping, fishing, resource exploration and pollution - marine megafauna are widely affected. Detailed investigations of marine megafauna have led to new insights on shifts in the ocean including changes to breeding grounds, the exploitation of new food sources, and pressures such as entanglements, ship strikes and pollution continue to increase. New technologies, and diverse collaborations using multiple knowledge systems can inform and enhance conservation of marine megafauna in Australian waters. This symposium aims to share knowledge and research findings on the ecology and conservation of marine megafauna with a particular focus on showcasing examples of two-way science and learning experiences in joint management of Sea Country.
The future of sustainable seafood in Australia
Chair(s): Caitie Kuempel (Griffith University), Richard Cottrell (University of Tasmania), Christopher Brown (Griffith University)
Description: Seafood is a nutritious and environmentally efficient form of protein, making it a promising candidate to provide healthy and sustainable food for humanity into the future. Seafood is an important aspect of Australian culture, diet, and livelihoods, with fisheries and aquaculture production valued at AUD$3.15 billion. Yet, seafood production practices are highly variable, and some forms are also linked to environmental and social impacts such as habitat degradation and modern slavery. Australia has shown a commitment to sustainably sourcing seafood through national (e.g., National Harvest Strategy Guidelines) and international (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) goals. But with Australian fisheries landings at a plateau and aquaculture growth hampered by poor public perception, seafood supply is increasingly fuelled through imported products with uncertain sustainability implications. This symposium will bring together leading seafood experts to shed light on the current state and potential future of seafood in Australia and pathways to improve sustainability outcomes for nature and people across the seafood supply chain.
Improving Water Quality for Resilient Marine Ecosystems and Healthy Seafood
Chair(s): Rachel Przeslawski (NSW Department of Primary Industries) , Kirsten Benkendorff (National Marine Science Centre)
Description: Poor water quality is one of the main threats to estuarine and coastal ecosystems. It can be caused by agricultural practices, sewerage, land clearing, and acid sulphate soils, all of which can interact and can be exacerbated by high rainfall. Water quality is the single most important requirement for future seafood security, including that of the aquaculture industry. This symposium will include research that quantifies water quality or investigates the impacts of poor water quality on marine organisms, habitats, and industries. Importantly, we will prioritise presentations with a focus on management and stakeholder engagement that support a path for effective action for healthy ecosystems and sustainable practices.
Supporting the energy transition – marine science and offshore renewables
Chair(s): DLaura Griffiths (Griffith University), Beth Toki (BMT), Jana Orszaghova (University of Western Australia)
Description: Offshore wind energy is being increasing realised as an important part of Australia’s clean energy transition. However, the technology and specialist equipment needed to make the industry economically viable are still in development. Further, environmental approvals required under the EPBC Act or State requirements, will need to articulate environmental impact, which has yet to be fully understood. There are currently close to 30 new offshore wind development projects proposed for Australia. The Australian Government has also identified six offshore wind zones that will likely be favoured for offshore wind development projects under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 (OEI Act).
Robust marine science during the feasibility and environmental impact assessment stages will be critical in underpinning informed decisions about the design, location, co-location with other marine uses and approval of offshore energy projects; as well as their environmental management requirements during their longer term operation.
In this symposium AMSA delegates are invited to share learnings from their involvement in this emerging industry, describe key environmental risk considerations in the marine environment, discuss technological improvements to the industry, describe co-location opportunities with other sectors, and discover the opportunities to contribute to marine sustainability as the industry establishes.
Seabed, habitat mapping and photogrammetry – opportunities for learning together on Sea Country
Chair(s): Tim Ingleton (NSW Department of Planning and Environment), Renata Ferrari (AIMS), Neville Barrett (University of Tasmania), Alan Jordan (UTas), William Figuiera (University of Sydney), Mardi McNeil (Geosciences Australia)
Description: This Symposium seeks to build on the momentum of previous AMSA symposia focused on mapping the seabed and underwater habitats and supported by the national initiative AusSeabed. The symposium provides the opportunity for established and early career scientists and students to present on their multi-disciplinary research associated with mapping and/or characterising underwater habitats and the seabed. The Symposium will showcase how many in the research community are collaborating and consulting with First Nations communities, while not excluding others who have not yet established that connection. From the shore-line and coast, across the shelf and into the deep sea, the symposium will showcase how mapping and seabed research is building toward providing an ever more complete picture of the extent and variability of marine ecosystems while working meaningfully and respectfully with our nations first scientists, toward improved management of Australia's marine estate.
Multi-Park Studies: integrating science and management goals across marine parks in Australia
Chair(s): Kate Quigley (Minderoo Foundation | James Cook University | University of Western Australia), Alex Tomlinson (Parks Australia)
Description: Global and local stressors do not adhere to borders. As such, the impacts from threats like warming induced by climate change must be investigated and managed holistically; across parks and management zones. This symposium will highlight multi-park studies and focus on research and management that incorporate species, habitats and cultural values that stretch across multiple marine parks in Australia. Investigating the responses of these values (both their means and their variability) in different locations will be critical to predicting how habitats will respond to future environmental pressures and for informing adaptive management. This symposium will serve to 1) present studies that are scientifically rigorous and align with management priorities 2) highlight overlaps and unique aspects of management priorities of marine parks systems 3) promote the coordinated approaches and platforms for supporting multi-park studies.
Marine biosecurity – Collaborating to manage risks posed to Australia’s Sea Country from marine pests and exotic aquatic pathogens
Chair(s): Anita Ramage (Biosecurity Queensland), Brett Herbert (Northern Territory Government of Australia), Richard Stafford-Bell (Agriculture Victoria), René Campbell (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)
Description: With the ever-increasing pressures of globalisation and climate-induced environmental change, Australia’s Sea Country is facing unparalleled threats posed by the introduction of marine pests and exotic aquatic pathogens.
The establishment of marine pests and exotic aquatic pathogens have the potential to negatively affect Sea Country through the altering of these sensitive ecosystems. This has broad cultural, social, economic, and ecological impacts on the communities and industries which they support.
Although there are natural pathways for introduction, human activities (particularly those associated with shipping and habitat alteration) are the main causes of introduction, establishment and spread.
A collaborative approach to marine biosecurity, encompassing Indigenous and broader communities, government, industry and research bodies, is critical for helping protect Australia’s unique Sea Country.
This symposium will bring together those interested in the field of marine biosecurity to present on a range of topics including, but not limited to:
Synergies between Caring for Country and Marine Biosecurity
Challenges and solutions to improve communication and engagement across broad marine stakeholder groups
Marine surveillance strategies/techniques in remote areas
Marine biosecurity response techniques and strategic management
Impacts of marine pests and exotic pathogens
Early detection of marine pests and pathogens using a range of technologies
Marine Invertebrates: diversity and function of the other 99%
Chair(s): Maria Byrne (University of Sydney), Sue-Ann Watson (James Cook University), Tania Kenyon (University of Queensland)
Description: Biodiversity of marine ecosystems is dominated by invertebrate taxa that play key roles in ecosystem structure and functioning. Research and monitoring of invertebrates is often skewed toward species of commercial or ecological importance such as oysters, sea urchins, and crown-of-thorns sea stars, and even these most-important invertebrates are underrepresented in endangered species lists, such as IUCN and CITES listings. However, metazoan diversity in our oceans is best represented by small cryptic taxa, which are generally overlooked in science and management. Motile marine invertebrates form the basis of food webs and as such, support fisheries and livelihoods. Sessile marine invertebrates provide important functions such as habitat structure, substrate binding and nutrient cycling. Furthermore, the unknown diversity of marine invertebrates could harbour as yet undiscovered bio-products that could be important in pharmaceuticals and materials engineering. Despite the importance of marine invertebrates, it is often challenging to place research on marine invertebrates in conference proceedings. This theme welcomes presentations on the biology, ecology, and management of Australia's marine invertebrates, drawing specific attention to overlooked taxa with novel biological features, life histories, and roles in ecosystem functioning.
Marine social science
Chair(s): Emma Church, Vicki Martin, Yolanda Waters and Tracy Schultz (The University of Queensland)
Description: This symposium will bring together a growing community and facilitate knowledge exchange between diverse stakeholders from across the marine and coastal sector.
Increasing awareness and understanding of the integral role that social sciences can have in management and decision making for our global seas and coastline is key. The symposia will provide a platform for dialogue, discussion and collaboration across our multidisciplinary community including the marine sciences, economics, the arts and humanities.
This symposium will position marine social sciences alongside natural and physical sciences, demonstrating the social value of marine systems and used to support communication and articulation of the complex and complicated relationship between society and the global seas and coasts.
Marine citizen science initiatives: successes and lessons learnt
Chair(s): Maggie Muurmans (Griffith University), Henry Hunt (Ocean Connect Incorporated)
Description: Citizen science is used as a tool for engaging communities as well as a way to collect data. It creates a unique collaboration between participants and facilitating organisation but does it always run smoothly? What are some of the citizen science principles for creating improved marine conservation practices? What are some of the lessons we can learn from initiatives already up and running? And how can we achieve a high quality data set? Some of these questions would need exploring and experience from marine citizen science practitioners will lift the veil on the do's and don'ts.
Physical and Biological Oceanography of the EAC
Chair(s): Helen Bostock (University of Queensland), Chris Chapman (CSIRO Oceans), Kylie Pitt (Griffith University)
Description: The East Australian Current (EAC) is the dominant current in the Coral and Tasman Seas. There has been a lot of work undertaken over the last decade to understand the physical and biological (and chemical) processes in the EAC, and how this current influences the climate, biological productivity and marine ecosystems of the East Coast of Australia. There is also evidence that the EAC is being significantly impacted by climate change, with evidence for some of the most rapid warming in the surface oceans, resulting in increasing occurrence of marine heatwaves. In this symposium we invite presentations on recent research using observations from remote sensing, ship based CTD and biological data, moorings, gliders. as well as modelling studies to understand the oceanographic processes and changes in the EAC and their implications for biology and climate.
Marine Pollution – stories of lessons learned in science-informed management
Chair(s): Kathryn Willis (CSIRO Environment), Ana Catarina Serra Goncalves (University of Tasmania), Peter Puskic (University of Tasmania)
Description: Our oceans have historically been a sink for pollution, leaving modern societies with significant ocean pollution legacy issues to manage. As the amount of industry and urban uses of coastal and marine environments continues to grow, so too does pollution and its management. Major investments and shifts in pollution management and regulation are needed to achieve the UN Decade for Ocean Science goal: A Clean Ocean.
This symposium is focused on the stories from PhD and Early Career Ocean Professionals and Researchers (ECOPs/ECRs) who are leading the next generation of science that can be and has been used to inform pollution management decision making. Stories from around Australia will be prioritised, with overseas experiences considered if the work can link to lessons for researchers and professionals working in Australia.
The symposium will highlight the work of ECOPs/ECRs working in coastal and marine pollution science and management and will have a strong emphasis on selecting submissions that guide the audience from data collection to how the data is translated into information that is usable by a variety of decision-makers. Our symposium aims to generate a peer-to-peer learning environment.
An extra note that we would want submissions to articulate the following to ensure a fruitful learning experience is created:
The type of pollution that was targeted (chemical, light, plastic, nutrient).
The decision-makers and management decisions that were the focus of the work.
The type of data collected, and why.
How did the ECOP/ECR translated their results into information that could be used by the decision-maker?
Describe the management decision that resulted from the work.
Discuss the lessons learned by the ECOP/ECR.
Animals in zoos and aquaria: Research, conservation and public engagement outcomes
Chair(s): Iain Suthers (UNSW), Kylie Pitt (Griffith University), Janet Lanyon (University of Queensland), Jason van de Merwe (Griffith University)
Description: The increasing collaboration between universities and public aquaria has enabled safe and ethical access to marine life to a remarkable level. Zoos have a wider role in research of wildlife including animal handling, veterinary assessment and monitoring of wild animals. The public and citizen scientists are also informed from the scientific outcomes, including recent novel exhibits of jellyfish, of laboratories and of animal hospitals. The animal carers and trainers have a major role, being the first to observed certain conditions, or interesting behaviour and to enable access by scientists. We now have improved understanding of health, physiology and ecology of marine life, by safely taking a wide variety of biological samples at regular intervals.
This positive relationship benefits the research, the institution and above all, engages the public in marine science and there are many ways the relationship can be enhanced.
Marine Modelling: from catchments to seas
Chair(s): Prof Xiao Hua Wang (University of New South Wales), Amanda Xiao (CSIRO), Joey Crosswell (CSIRO)
Description: The marine coastal regions and estuaries are the aquatic interface between land, freshwater and marine waters. Understanding how coastal environments and risks may evolve over the next several decades requires considering the co-evolution of many different human and natural systems, which necessitates an integrated modelling approach. An integrated approach that brings together multiple modelling tools that can represent both extreme events and long-term changes in human and natural systems along the land-river-estuary-ocean continuum. In Australia, coral reefs and associated inshore ecosystems continue to be degraded from land-based pollution via runoff. Advanced modelling framework will help to inform time-critical land management efforts to understand on how riverine pollutants impact water clarity and biogeochemical cycles.
Artificial Light: Impacts on marine wildlife and Indigenous sky knowledge
Chair(s): Taka Shimada (Queensland Government - Department of Environment and Science), Kate Hofmeister (Sunshine Coast Council), Adrian Cupitt (WAVES Testing, Research and Consulting), Andre Chiaradia (Phillip Island Nature Park), Karen Arthur (Australian Government - Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water), Cesar San Miguel (Australian Government - Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water), Katie Dafforn: (Macquarie University), Mariana Mayer Pinto: (University of New South Wales), Emily Fobert: (University of Melbourne), Peter Swanton: (Australian National University)
Description: For thousands of years natural light sources such as stars, the moon and the sun have influenced the physiology and behaviour of marine wildlife and coastal ecosystems. Dark skies also have significant cultural value for the people who live near and rely on the ocean to sustain life. To help protect these people, ecosystems and processes there is increased momentum to understand the beneficial and detrimental impacts of artificial light on marine and coastal ecosystems. Visual perception of artificial light varies from species to species, and the science used for collecting this information is expanding. Species may be impacted differently by the colour of light sources, the direct sight of light sources, and the cumulative impact of all light sources in an area - seen as sky glow above developed areas. The Citizen Scientist movement and data collection by councils, government and universities is providing insight into populations and behaviours of marine wildlife. This data along with measurements of the night light environments are being analysed to understand the unique relationship between the environment and artificial light, and the effects of artificial light on the cultural value of the night sky. The growing body of evidence about the impacts of light pollution has led to a steep change in the guidelines, policies and lighting ordinances that are being incorporated into planning schemes throughout coastal regions to manage light pollution.
This group of presentations would be suitable for aquatic ecologists, lighting scientists, Councils, planners, researchers and conservationists.
Ecological Indicators of ecosystem health
Chair(s): Warwick Noble (Environment Protection Authority), Matt Nelson (Environment Protection Authority), Justin Seymour (University Technology Sydney)
Description: Coherent, integrated monitoring, assessment and reporting is needed to support ocean and coastal governance at all scales. Ecological indicators are used to provide synoptic information to report on ecosystem health, state, or condition. Monitoring tools and methods, as well as the suite of ecological indicators have greatly expanded over recent decades allowing for new ways to provide environmental data to support decision-making through multiple lines of evidence. Examples of indicators could include: microbial community, eDNA, biodiversity, seagrass or reef condition among others. Tools or methods might include: underwater video, AUV or remote sensing.
This Symposium invites contributions that share and demonstrate opportunities, challenges and foundational building blocks of environmental indicators and methods used for assessment of the marine system. Presentations are invited that demonstrate and discuss:
Advances and proven techniques in monitoring and assessment to support integrated and inclusive management
Integration of past monitoring results with new technologies, indicators or techniques
Best practice principles for long-term monitoring
Strengthening partnerships and coordination across sectors (including community and Indigenous consultation) and jurisdictions through choice of relevant indicators.
While the focus of the symposium is on Australia, submissions that consider international examples that are relevant to the broader discussion will also be considered.