In order to protect the biological diversity of marine life in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the commonwealth government has passed the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The Act is being implemented through preparation of regional marine plans (commenced in 2001) and by designing networks of representative marine protected areas (MPAs) in both commonwealth and state waters. In the absence of direct information about the distribution of seabed biodiversity, appropriate surrogates must be used instead. A major constraint is the short time-frame available to managers to make decisions; only information that is readily accessible and available can be used under these circumstances. Existing seabed bathymetry data were used to produce a geomorphic features map of the Australian EEZ. This map was used in conjunction with existing fish diversity information and other data to derive a Benthic Bioregionalisation (2005) that subdivides Australia's EEZ into 41 bioregions including 24 biologically unique provinces. Biophysical variables measured at broad spatial scales apart from bathymetry (and derived variables such as seabed slope) include ocean primary production, seabed sediment properties, temperature and sediment mobilisation due to waves and tides. To better characterise habitats on the Australian continental margin, Geoscience Australia has created 'seascape' maps that integrate multiple layers of spatial data that are useful for the prediction of the distribution of biodiversity. Existing seabed bathymetry data were used to produce a geomorphic features map of the Australian EEZ. This map was used in conjunction with existing fish diversity information and other data to derive a Benthic Bioregionalisation (2005) that subdivides Australia's EEZ into 41 bioregions including 24 biologically unique provinces.

In order to protect the biological diversity of marine life in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the commonwealth government has passed the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The Act is being implemented through preparation of regional marine plans (commenced in 2001) and by designing networks of representative marine protected areas (MPAs) in both commonwealth and state waters. In the absence of direct information about the distribution of seabed biodiversity, appropriate surrogates must be used instead. A major constraint is the short time-frame available to managers to make decisions; only information that is readily accessible and available can be used under these circumstances. Existing seabed bathymetry data were used to produce a geomorphic features map of the Australian EEZ. This map was used in conjunction with existing fish diversity information and other data to derive a Benthic Bioregionalisation (2005) that subdivides Australia's EEZ into 41 bioregions including 24 biologically unique provinces. Biophysical variables measured at broad spatial scales apart from bathymetry (and derived variables such as seabed slope) include ocean primary production, seabed sediment properties, temperature and sediment mobilisation due to waves and tides. To better characterise habitats on the Australian continental margin, Geoscience Australia has created 'seascape' maps that integrate multiple layers of spatial data that are useful for the prediction of the distribution of biodiversity. Existing seabed bathymetry data were used to produce a geomorphic features map of the Australian EEZ. This map was used in conjunction with existing fish diversity information and other data to derive a Benthic Bioregionalisation (2005) that subdivides Australia's EEZ into 41 bioregions including 24 biologically unique provinces.

In order to protect the biological diversity of marine life in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the commonwealth government has passed the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The Act is being implemented through preparation of regional marine plans (commenced in 2001) and by designing networks of representative marine protected areas (MPAs) in both commonwealth and state waters. In the absence of direct information about the distribution of seabed biodiversity, appropriate surrogates must be used instead. A major constraint is the short time-frame available to managers to make decisions; only information that is readily accessible and available can be used under these circumstances. Existing seabed bathymetry data were used to produce a geomorphic features map of the Australian EEZ. This map was used in conjunction with existing fish diversity information and other data to derive a Benthic Bioregionalisation (2005) that subdivides Australia's EEZ into 41 bioregions including 24 biologically unique provinces. Biophysical variables measured at broad spatial scales apart from bathymetry (and derived variables such as seabed slope) include ocean primary production, seabed sediment properties, temperature and sediment mobilisation due to waves and tides. To better characterise habitats on the Australian continental margin, Geoscience Australia has created 'seascape' maps that integrate multiple layers of spatial data that are useful for the prediction of the distribution of biodiversity. Existing seabed bathymetry data were used to produce a geomorphic features map of the Australian EEZ. This map was used in conjunction with existing fish diversity information and other data to derive a Benthic Bioregionalisation (2005) that subdivides Australia's EEZ into 41 bioregions including 24 biologically unique provinces.

In order to protect the diversity of marine life in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the federal parliament has passed the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. The Act is being implemented through the design of a national representative system of marine protected areas (MPAs) that will place under protection a representative portion of Australia's EEZ by 2012. A total of 13 MPAs have already been nominated for the southeast region in 2006. Limited biological data in Australia's EEZ has resulted in biophysical information compiled by Geoscience Australia being used as a proxy for seabed biodiversity in support of marine conservation planning. Information we use to characterise the seabed includes bathymetry, geomorphology, acoustic properties, sediment properties, slope and sediment mobilisation due to waves and tides. To better characterise habitats on the Australian continental shelf, Geoscience Australia is creating 'seascape' maps (similar to geological facies maps) that integrate these multiple layers of spatial data, and are useful for the prediction of the distribution of biodiversity in Australia's EEZ. This information provides 100% spatial coverage based on objective, multivariate statistical methods and offers certainty for managers and stakeholders including the oil and gas industry, who are involved with designing Australia's national MPA system. Certainty for industries operating in the EEZ is enhanced by a reproducible, science-based approach for identifying conservation priorities and the classification of seafloor types within multiple use areas.

In order to protect the diversity of marine life in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the federal parliament has passed the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. The Act is being implemented through the design of a national representative system of marine protected areas (MPAs) that will place under protection a representative portion of Australia's EEZ by 2012. A total of 13 MPAs have already been nominated for the southeast region in 2006. Limited biological data in Australia's EEZ has resulted in biophysical information compiled by Geoscience Australia being used as a proxy for seabed biodiversity in support of marine conservation planning. Information we use to characterise the seabed includes bathymetry, geomorphology, acoustic properties, sediment properties, slope and sediment mobilisation due to waves and tides. To better characterise habitats on the Australian continental shelf, Geoscience Australia is creating 'seascape' maps (similar to geological facies maps) that integrate these multiple layers of spatial data, and are useful for the prediction of the distribution of biodiversity in Australia's EEZ. This information provides 100% spatial coverage based on objective, multivariate statistical methods and offers certainty for managers and stakeholders including the oil and gas industry, who are involved with designing Australia's national MPA system. Certainty for industries operating in the EEZ is enhanced by a reproducible, science-based approach for identifying conservation priorities and the classification of seafloor types within multiple use areas.

In order to protect the diversity of marine life in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the federal parliament has passed the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. The Act is being implemented through the design of a national representative system of marine protected areas (MPAs) that will place under protection a representative portion of Australia's EEZ by 2012. A total of 13 MPAs have already been nominated for the southeast region in 2006. Limited biological data in Australia's EEZ has resulted in biophysical information compiled by Geoscience Australia being used as a proxy for seabed biodiversity in support of marine conservation planning. Information we use to characterise the seabed includes bathymetry, geomorphology, acoustic properties, sediment properties, slope and sediment mobilisation due to waves and tides. To better characterise habitats on the Australian continental shelf, Geoscience Australia is creating 'seascape' maps (similar to geological facies maps) that integrate these multiple layers of spatial data, and are useful for the prediction of the distribution of biodiversity in Australia's EEZ. This information provides 100% spatial coverage based on objective, multivariate statistical methods and offers certainty for managers and stakeholders including the oil and gas industry, who are involved with designing Australia's national MPA system. Certainty for industries operating in the EEZ is enhanced by a reproducible, science-based approach for identifying conservation priorities and the classification of seafloor types within multiple use areas.

In order to protect the diversity of marine life in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the federal parliament has passed the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. The Act is being implemented through the design of a national representative system of marine protected areas (MPAs) that will place under protection a representative portion of Australia's EEZ by 2012. A total of 13 MPAs have already been nominated for the southeast region in 2006. Limited biological data in Australia's EEZ has resulted in biophysical information compiled by Geoscience Australia being used as a proxy for seabed biodiversity in support of marine conservation planning. Information we use to characterise the seabed includes bathymetry, geomorphology, acoustic properties, sediment properties, slope and sediment mobilisation due to waves and tides. To better characterise habitats on the Australian continental shelf, Geoscience Australia is creating 'seascape' maps (similar to geological facies maps) that integrate these multiple layers of spatial data, and are useful for the prediction of the distribution of biodiversity in Australia's EEZ. This information provides 100% spatial coverage based on objective, multivariate statistical methods and offers certainty for managers and stakeholders including the oil and gas industry, who are involved with designing Australia's national MPA system. Certainty for industries operating in the EEZ is enhanced by a reproducible, science-based approach for identifying conservation priorities and the classification of seafloor types within multiple use areas.

Management of the marine environment in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone is addressed by an Oceans Policy that was put forward by the government in 1998. The policy is being implemented through Regional Marine Plans, including the development of a network of representative Marine Protected Areas. The southeast region of Australia has been the first part of the Exclusive Economic Zone to undergo regional marine planning (in 2003) and Marine Protected Area development processes are currently in progress. This article can be found in Geological Association of Canada

Management of the marine environment in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone is addressed by an Oceans Policy that was put forward by the government in 1998. The policy is being implemented through Regional Marine Plans, including the development of a network of representative Marine Protected Areas. The southeast region of Australia has been the first part of the Exclusive Economic Zone to undergo regional marine planning (in 2003) and Marine Protected Area development processes are currently in progress. This article can be found in Geological Association of Canada

Management of the marine environment in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone is addressed by an Oceans Policy that was put forward by the government in 1998. The policy is being implemented through Regional Marine Plans, including the development of a network of representative Marine Protected Areas. The southeast region of Australia has been the first part of the Exclusive Economic Zone to undergo regional marine planning (in 2003) and Marine Protected Area development processes are currently in progress. This article can be found in Geological Association of Canada