Hazard assessment for water quality threats to Torres Strait marine waters and ecosystems
Conference Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
The Torres Strait marine environment is of national and international significance. It includes critical coral reef and seagrass habitats, many species of fish, invertebrates and turtles, and one of the largest dugong populations globally. The region faces global pressures, such as increasing shipping traffic, demand for peak oil and impacts associated with climate change that could have complex impacts on Torres Strait's environmental assets, particularly when combined with local pressures. We undertook a qualitative assessment of the key threats to the Torres Strait region from water quality issues. The supporting information included analysis of remote sensing imagery, development of a hydrodynamic model, island inspections and a desktop review of previous studies. We concluded that the current hazards to the environmental values of the region from water quality are relatively minor, and are specific to local areas. However, a number of important future threats were identified. Most importantly, the potential hazards from the transit of large ships through the region, including oil or chemical spills and groundings, are of greatest concern due to the potential for long term retention in the Straits. Large scale development in Papua New Guinea including gas platforms, oil palm expansion and port development may also be significant. This study has provided the first hazard assessment of water quality issues in the Torres Strait region and provides guidance for environmental managers to make decisions regarding the relative importance of pollutant sources at a range of scales.
Journal
N/A
Publication Name
Society for Conservation Biology Oceania Conference
Volume
N/A
ISBN/ISSN
N/A
Edition
N/A
Issue
N/A
Pages Count
1
Location
Suva, Fiji
Publisher
Society for Conservation Biology
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
Fiji
Publish Date
N/A
Url
N/A
Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
N/A