The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of quality of species and groups – seabirds". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF TAXONOMIC GROUP FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT There are presently 57 species of seabirds known to breed in and around Australia and the external territories of Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Island, Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and the Coral Sea islands. These 57 species are comprised of penguins (1 species), albatrosses (1 species), petrels, shearwaters and storm-petrels (19 species), boobies, tropicbirds, frigatebirds, cormorants and pelican (16 species) and gulls, tern, and noddies (20 species). Another 130 species of seabirds have been recorded in Australia, either as non-breeding or vagrant. Shorebirds are not considered here, nor are issues associated with nesting or onshore breeding colonies as these are assessed under the Coasts chapter. Species breeding on subantarctic islands and the Antarctic continent are assessed under the Antarctic chapter. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT The assessment was based on data and analyses published in the peer reviewed literature and agency reports. Details on the specific data products used in this assessment have not been provided. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2016 • Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Unclear Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus Comparability: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the 2011 assessment • 2011 • Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT Unclear how the 2011 assessment was carried out and on what data. There is very little data on trends in populations available and so the trend cannot be regarded as stable but rather unclear.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of quality of species and groups – sea snakes". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGICAL PROCESS FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT Assessing the status of sea snakes is a priority based on evidence of significant declines in some populations (e.g., Guinea 2007, 2013, Lukoschek et al. 2007, 2013). Australia has approximately 32 sea snake species, more than half of global diversity, including 13 endemic species. Sea snakes occur in a variety of shallow-water marine habitats in northern Australia, including estuaries, reefs, soft-sediment habitats, and seagrass meadows. Two endemic species are listed as Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act and IUCN Red List, a further two endemics listed as Endangered and Near Threatened by IUCN have not been assess under the EPBC Act. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT • Data primarily collected from an expert panel of sea snake researchers and marine resource managers during an IUCN Sea Snake Specialist Group Red List workshop in February 2009. • Updated status of sea snake populations from coastal WA and off-shore Timor Sea Reefs obtained from reports and publications by Michael Guinea, Vimoksalehi Lukoschek, Blanche D’Anastasi and Kate Sanders 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] Status and trends within the Australian EEZ are largely unknown but likely to vary between species and bioregions. Species have almost disappeared from Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea, the reasons for which are unknown. CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT Largely agrees with 2011 SOE assessment with the addition of the declines reported from the NW Shelf.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of quality of species and groups - inner shelf reef fish species". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGICAL SPECIES/COMMUNITY FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT Bony and cartilaginous fish assemblages found on coastal rocky and coral reefs <25 m depth, around the Australian continent. This includes all species (most not exploited). DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT Reef Life Survey visual census data were used for the current status assessment, with extensive spatial coverage of sites around the continent. Temporal trend information came from a combination of RLS, LTTRMP and AIMS long-term GBR monitoring datasets at 16 particular locations (MPA locations include the broader region and sites inside and outside sanctuary zones): NSW: Batemans Marine Park, Jervis Bay Marine Park, Sydney, Lord Howe Island, Port Stephens VIC: Beware Reef, Port Phillip Heads SA: Encounter Bay (Fleurieu Peninsula) WA: Rottnest Island, Jurien Marine Park, Ningaloo Marine Park QLD: Capricorn-Bunker, Southern GBR, Central GBR, Northern GBR TAS: Maria Island 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2016 • Assessment grade: Poor Assessment trend: Deteriorating Confidence grade: Adequate high quality evidence and high level of consensus Confidence trend: Adequate high quality evidence and high level of consensus Comparability: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the 2011 assessment • 2011 • Assessment grade: Poor Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT Unclear what the 2011 assessment was based on.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of non-indigenous/non-endemic species – number and abundance of introduced species". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGICAL PROCESS FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT There are over 250 introduced marine plants and animals established in Australian waters (see marine pests.gov.au). Some have hitch-hiked to Australian waters on the hulls of vessels of all types from yachts to commercial ships, or in their ballast water. Others have been introduced to support local aquaculture, with the aquarium industry another vector. Some species are listed on the National Introduced Marine Pest Information System and are assessed under the ‘Number and abundance of NIMPIS-listed species’ assessment. This assessment covers those species not currently on the list. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT This assessment is based on peer-review papers and reports as well as information on the marine pests website: see http://www.marinepests.gov.au. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2016 • Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Unclear Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus Confidence trend: Evidence or consensus too low to make an assessment Comparability: Grade and trend are comparable to the 2011 assessment • 2011 • Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Unclear Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus Confidence trend: Evidence or consensus too low to make an assessment CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT The 2016 assessment is similar to the 2011 assessment. With very little information on most species abundances and no long-term monitoring of populations with which clear trends could be determined it was considered appropriate to assign a trend of ‘unclear’.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of quality of species and groups – Epipelagic fish species". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGICAL SPECIES/COMMUNITY FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT Australia’s coastal small pelagic fishes (<50 cm) include species such as Australian Sardines, Maray, Blue and Sandy Sprats, Australian anchovy, scads, Jack Mackerel, hardyheads, silversides, Blue mackerel, Australian Herring and Redbait. Tropical and temperate assemblages are comprised of different species and there are also regional differences in species composition (Hobday et al. 2009). This assessment refers only to temperate species in the East, South-east and South-west regions. Blue Mackerel, Common Jack Mackerel, Redbait and Australian Sardine (off eastern Australia only) are targeted by the Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery. The SPF is managed in two Zones: East spanning half of the East and eastern South-east regions and the West spanning the South west and western half of South-east). State fisheries primarily target Australian Sardine but may also take Australian Anchovy, Blue Mackerel, sprats and Maray. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT The assessment is based on data and analyses published in the peer review literature, stock assessment reports and minutes of the meetings of the Small Pelagic Fishery Scientific Panel. Details of specific data sets used to generate the assessment have not been provided. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2016 • Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade: Adequate high quality evidence and high level of consensus Confidence trend: Adequate high quality evidence and high level of consensus Comparability: Grade and trend are comparable to the 2011 assessment • 2011 • Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade: Adequate high quality evidence and high level of consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT Additional fishery catch data, more recent stock assessments.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of ecological processes – trophic structures and relationships". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGICAL PROCESS FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT For this assessment, food web structure and function as defined by diet and modelling studies (which synthesis much of the available information) have been used to evaluate the status and trends for trophic structures and relationships. The status and outlook for the structure of Australian marine ecosystems is highly variable. Food webs are naturally dynamic, through time and space (e.g. Griffiths et al. 2009), and human pressure on them has varied around Australia over the past two centuries, altering trophic structures to differing degrees (Dell et al. 2013, GBRMPA 2014). Food webs studies have primarily focused on coastal and shelf waters (e.g. Salini et al 1998, Bulman et al. 2001, DofWWA 2009), with much less coverage of deep water food webs. Diet studies have only occurred intermittently and few studies have been subsequently repeated (e.g. recent resampling of fish diets on the shelf of SE Australia; CSIRO unpublished). Consequently, understanding the true magnitude of inter-annual variation in diets is low and there is little capacity to be sure of dietary changes through time. Modelling studies (Fulton et al. 2005, Klaer 2005) suggest there has been trophic restructuring of food webs in south-eastern Australia over the last century, particularly as a result of the intensification of commercial fisheries up to the 1990s. The reduction in fishing pressure, particularly over the last 5-10 years (Flood et al. 2014, Patterson et al. 2015) will likely, eventually, allow the recovery of trophic structures. However, a complete recovery is unlikely given the multitude of on-going pressures (e.g. remaining fishing pressure, both recreational and commercial, shipping, coastal habitat modification, pollution, etc.) and because some highly depleted species (e.g. eastern gemfish) have failed to recover from past overexploitation; which itself may be related to shifts in trophic connections with predators and prey (TSSC 2009). In addition, climate change is reshaping south eastern ecosystems, with shifts in species ranges (Sunday et al. 2015) and the realisation of new trophic interactions (e.g. shifts in octopus diets; Briceno et al. 2015), as omnivorous species appear to shift more rapidly than carnivores (Sunday et al. 2015). Eastern Australian ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef are highly modified (Butler and Jernakoff 1999, GBRMPA 2014). Amongst the most obviously shifted systems are around population centres and in the southern Great Barrier Reef (GBRMPA 2014). As elsewhere, fishing pressure has eased over the past 5 years, but other pressures (e.g. from increasing development) have increased (AIMS 2014). Overall trophic structures likely remain highly modified, both by past and present removal of predatory species and shifts in abundance of basal species, due to eutrophication or habitat removal (GBRMPA 2014, Fulton and Gorton 2014). The ecosystems of northern, western, southwestern and southern Australia see less direct, and spatially more variable, pressure than those in the east and south east. Over the past 3 decades, fishing pressure in the region has significantly declined, and has continued to do so (though at a reduced rate) over the past 5 years (Prince et al. 2008, Patterson et al. 2014, Fletcher and Santoro 2015). Development of other sectors (e.g. shipping) has grown, but largely concentrated on specific locations (AIMS

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of quality of species and groups – whales". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF TAXONOMIC GROUP FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT A total of 24 species of whales (two of which comprise two subspecies) have been documented from Australian waters with a further one (Omura’s whale) likely to occur, but yet to be definitively confirmed. A number of these species (e.g. sperm whale) are distributed nationally, others are restricted to particular latitudes (e.g. Bryde’s whale) and others consist of populations that only seasonally utilise Australian waters (e.g. some of the baleen whale species). DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT This assessment is based on peer-review papers and reports provided by a series of researchers working on whales in Australia. Details on the specific data products used in this assessment have not been provided. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2016 • Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Unclear Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus Comparability: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the 2011 assessment • 2011 • Baleen whales Assessment grade: Poor Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade & trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus • 2011 • Humpback whales Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Increasing Confidence grade & trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus • 2011 • Toothed whales Assessment grade: Poor Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade & trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT The 2011 assessment was split across three categories. Given the lack of data on status and trends for most species it was considered more appropriate to provide one assessment, highlighting the increasing trends for humpback and southern right whales. Anecdotal information suggests that populations of most whales are stable and so it was considered more appropriate to assign status as good. With very little information on most species abundances, limited evidence of any change in populations and no long-term monitoring of populations with which clear trends could be determined, trend was identified as ‘unclear’ rather than ‘stable’.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of habitats and communities - water column, inner shelf (0 - 25 m)". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF HABITAT/COMMUNITY FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT Based on biomass the major communities found in the water column are phytoplankton>bacteria>zooplankton>fish (Marchant 2002). The water column is the habitat and the major determinants of quality for most pelagic organisms can be considered to be temperature (T), salinity (S), light, nutrients, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and food availability. The inner shelf waters around Australia are generally warm, mostly saline, well illuminated, low in nutrients, and phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish abundance. The inner shelf is also the pelagic marine habitat most exposed to human induced pressures and has local habitats that range from heavily disturbed to pristine. The capability of this habitat to support the existing flora and fauna can be considered to be under threat (e.g. Game et al. 2009) from: inputs from the terrestrial environment (e.g. sediments in runoff or due to increased erosion, nutrients, wastes), harvesting of biota, invasive species, infrastructure development (e.g. impoundments, harbours, hardening), mariculture, mining, oil and gas extraction, climate change (warming, falling DO, decreasing pH). There are many areas of local habitat degradation, with the most impacted areas tending to be embayments and estuaries with significant population pressures and limited exchange (e.g. Alyazichi et al., 2015; Mckinley et al., 2011). In spite of improvements in the management of these types of pressures the magnitude of the growth in mineral exports, agriculture exports and population growth would suggest that development impacts will have risen. At the same time across many jurisdictions improvements in sewage treatment and disposal mean that potentially dangerous pathogens are increasingly rare. For example in 2015 96% of NSW open beaches with high rates of recreational use were rated good or very good (NSW EPA, 2015). At a larger geographic scale our shelf waters are experiencing increasing impacts from global pressures such as warming. Shelf waters from Port Hedland to Cape Howe have risen ~ 1°C from 1993 to 2013 (Foster et al., 2014), and portions of the SW region were 3°C warmer during February 2011 than normal (Pearce and Feng 2013). There is evidence that dissolved oxygen has declined (Thompson et al. 2009) and will continue to decline due to warming (Talley et al., 2016). This is likely to lead to more losses of marine fauna due to low oxygen; such as the unprecedented event during 2015 in Cockburn Sound (Pattiaratchi 2016). Recent blooms of toxic phytoplankton in regions where they never bloomed before (Campbell et al., 2013) and the SE shellfish that have suffered badly from disease outbreaks (Hooper et al., 2007; Lewis et al., 2012). There is evidence of widespread responses to climate related pressures across the major types of biota, phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish (e.g. Johnson et al. 2011, Thompson et al. 2016) as well as our coral reefs under increased stress from rising temperatures and declining pH (Mongin et al., 2016). DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT Data are computed from the level 3 (L3) daily global products using one merging method following Maritorena and Siegel, (2005). Details can be found at http://www.globcolour.info/products_description.html Phytoplankton and zooplankton data are from Australia’s National Reference Stations operated by the Integrated Marine Observing System. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of physical, biogeochemical and biological processes – Marine connectivity based on physical processes". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGICAL PROCESS FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT Marine biological connectivity around Australia is driven by physical processes such as winds, waves, tides and currents, that operate across a wide range of time and space scales. These water movements carry and disperse dissolved substances (nutrients and chemical pollutants) and particulates (sediments, marine debris and planktonic organisms) that are critical to the functioning of marine ecosystems. High connectivity can have positive or negative influences on ecosystem components depending on the circumstances, as can low connectivity (i.e. high retention). For example, transport of eggs and larvae from spawning grounds to nursery areas may be critical to successful breeding, but may also contribute to the spread of harmful species. Over Australia’s mid- and inner- continental shelves circulation and connectivity patterns tend to be dominated by wind and tidal influences, while the offshore environment is strongly influenced by major currents systems including the poleward flowing Leeuwin Current (LC) in the west and its extension along the southern Australian coast to Tasmania, and the East Australia Current (EAC) in the east. The strength of these currents varies with decadal forcing cycles, such as ENSO, SAM, and IOD, and in some locations there is also evidence of long-term connectivity change consistent with climate change. For example, increased southward flow of the EAC (Ridgway 2007) has been associated with major southward range extensions for almost 100 species (Frusher et al 2014; Sunday et al 2015). This represents a major increase in connectivity between northern and southern biological populations along the eastern seaboard. In contrast, this southern extension may have reduced connectivity in the south-to-north direction. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT Published papers. CSIRO creates and maintains models used to study dispersal (Bluelink – BRAN product). IMOS holds data on ocean current strength, individual researchers hold data on species of interest. Report Cards have started to explicitly include connectivity as an indicator - http://ghhp.org.au/report-cards/2015/environmental. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2016 • Assessment grade: Poor Assessment trend: Deteriorating Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus Comparability: Grade and trend are not directly comparable to the 2011 assessment • 2011 • Connectivity – spatial/physical disjunctions Assessment grade: Very good Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade & trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus • 2011 • Connectivity – biological, migration, flyways Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Deteriorating Confidence grade & trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus • 2011 • Connectivity – recruitment, settlement Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade & trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus • 2011 • Connectivity – genome structures, genetic adaptation Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade & trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT Unclear how the 2011 assessment was done.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of quality of species and groups – mesopelagic fish species". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGICAL SPECIES/COMMUNITY FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT Mesopeolagic fish species (200 to 1000 m depths) of the Australian region are thought to be in very good condition as there is limited direct impact by human activities (e.g. no targeted commercial fishing, and limited seismic surveys). Therefore factors affecting the mesopelagic fishes and their habitats will most likely be due to overall changes in environmental conditions associated with climate change and variability influencing factors such as primary production, ocean acidification and changing oxygen levels (Hobday and Pecl, 2014). This estimate of mesopelagic fish status and trend is uncertain due to the low amount of monitoring that is done, but monitoring has increased since the last assessment in 2011. Monitoring of mesopelagic fishes has recently been included in Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) through a bio-acoustics sub-facility in 2010 with one focus being the Tasman Sea (www.imos.org.au). Mesopelagic fishes are very diverse in Australian waters where in a recent field guide of the southern Tasman Sea 143 species in 43 families were identified (Flynn and Pogonoski, 2012). Using the IMOS bioacoustics Tasman Sea transect along 40oS there has been no detectable change in the annual acoustic index of mesopelagic fish biomass off the east coast of Tasmania between 2004 and 2013 (Kloser et al pers comms, www.imos.org.au). This region has a diverse range of fishes that have complex depth distributions and trophic interactions (Flynn and Kloser, 2012). Ecosystem models and observational studies of mesopelagic fishes highlight their importance to ecosystem structure and function where they transfer energy to higher order predators such as commercial fish species in Australian waters (Fulton et al., 2005; Lehodey et al., 2010; Young et al., 2011). This is particularly important for Australia’s continental slope commercial species and other top predators for ecosystem based management (Smith et al., 2011). The importance of mesopelagic fishes to ecosystem services has been shown yet their biomass and production is uncertain with several recent net and acoustic estimates differing by 2 orders of magnitude in Tasman Sea Australian waters (Kloser et al., 2009; Irigoien et al., 2014). This difference is based on using different sampling gear and methods to interpret the data. The outlook for mesopelagic fish in the Australian region is very good given the low direct impact of human activities (e.g. fishing) and increased monitoring through the IMOS bioacoustics program. Spatial and temporal shifts in mesopelagic fishes are expected to occur due to climate change and variability which will influence the distribution of their predators (Ridgway et al., 2008; Hobday and Pecl, 2014). To understand shifts in higher order predators and their ecological and human impact monitoring and ecosystem modelling of mesopelagic fish status and future trends is necessary. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT Data from the IMOS bio-acoustics sub-facility, data from surveys along a transect line in the Tasman Sea repeated across 2004-2013. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2016 • Assessment grade: Very good Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus Comparability: Grade and trend are comparable