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Fisheries, Biodiversity and Contamination study work, Reviewing data gathered during the Griffin 2014 Baseline and relating in wider context to the wider NWS

Project Member(s): Booth, D.

Funding or Partner Organisation: BHP Billiton Petroleum Pty Ltd

Start year: 2015

Summary: Preserving biodiversity is critical for maintaining ecosystem goods and services, and sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity is a national research priority. Offshore oil and gas operations are conducted in some of the most diverse ecosystems in Australia, including coral reefs and the deep sea. Compared to major producing nations, little is known about the environmental impacts of Australia's offshore oil and gas operations. The following document outlines proposed research by UTS Decommissioning Ecology Group that will assist in environmental decision-making for BHP Billiton's Griffin Field operations. We propose a multi-faceted approach that addresses knowledge gaps in three key areas: biodiversity, contamination, and fisheries. The research program is designed to address multiple knowledge gaps simultaneously, thereby reducing the effort and cost involved for BHP Billiton. Based on research findings and following the approach of Fowler et al. (2014), UTS will develop a cost/benefit matrix of decommissioning options for the Griffin Field. Preliminary analysis of the site against the criteria will indicate the most promising options and identify any further areas of research.

FOR Codes: Environmental Management, Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments