Publication Name: PESA News
Authors: Rachel Przeslawski, Scott Nichol, Geoscience Australia
Publication Issue: 118
Date Published: June 2012
Number of Pages: 3
Abstract:
Seabed mapping reveals significant habitats and potential hazards
Offshore northern Australia is a focus for both the energy industry and marine management agencies (Figure 1). In particular, the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and adjacent Timor Sea is a region that supports active petroleum exploration and infrastructure development and includes one of Australia's first acreage releases for carbon storage in an offshore sedimentary basin. Parts of the region are also included in the proposed Commonwealth network of marine reserves due for finalisation in 2012. Consequently, the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and Timor Sea region offers unique opportunities for marine researchers to provide fundamental environmental information to a range of stakeholders.