Marine Mammal Biodiversity Assessment
The Marine Mammal Foundation is dedicated to research programs that advance the knowledge, conservation, and protection of Australia’s marine mammals. MMF’s latest research project is widening its focus to assess marine mammal biodiversity in Australia's south-eastern marine region. This project will be coordinated by PhD candidate Jemima Beddoe, supervised by MMF’s Director and Head of Research Dr. Kate Robb, and RMIT University Professor Jeff Shimeta.
The coastal waters of south-eastern Australia are widely recognised for their rich biodiversity and endemism, however there is limited compiled information on the biodiversity of marine mammals within the state. This understanding of marine mammal diversity and distribution is vital. This project aims to compile occurrence records of all known marine mammal species within the south-east Australian marine region, in collaboration with geospatial analysis of sighting data, to gain insight into distribution patterns and identify hotspots for core-biological activities.
Understanding species' spatial distribution, in particular distribution ranges, establishing a distribution database, and assessing how they are likely to change in response to climate change, presents an important challenge for marine mammal conservation. For any conservation management strategy to remain effective and adaptive, it is increasingly critical to be able to account for the potential response of species to change in climatic conditions.
Acquisition of data on the occurrence and distribution of highly migratory and well-dispersed animals, such as marine mammals, is challenging logistically and economically. Large collaborative efforts are often required - and this project is no exception! This is where you can help!
Throughout this project we aim to collaborate with a range of stakeholders that may contribute marine mammal data to our database. Three main scientific techniques will be used to collect marine mammal distribution data, including:
Citizen Science Marine Mammal Sighting Reports
Encouraging community groups and enthusiastic individuals to report all marine mammal sightings via an easy-to-use MMF reporting system.
Environmental DNA (eDNA)
As organisms interact with the environment, DNA is shed and expelled, which then accumulates in the environment. eDNA is an innovative technology that involves the collection of environmental samples, which are analysed with DNA-sequencing methods for rapid monitoring and measurement of biodiversity.
Passive Acoustic Monitoring
Acoustic monitoring of the underwater environment through the deployment of multiple SoundTraps to monitor the presence, behaviour, and distribution of marine mammals.
The data collected will be analysed and sorted into our marine mammal distribution log. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) will then be used to create distribution maps of all present species. These maps will be used to investigate the influence of oceanographic characteristics and anthropogenic impacts within the region, whilst also assessing the effectiveness of current marine protected areas. This will create a complete biodiversity assessment of the marine mammals across the marine region of south-eastern Australia.
How can I help?
We are looking for partnership from both the community and industry to get involved with this exciting and innovative project. We would love to be out on the water all the time, however, given the huge expanse of the south-eastern marine region this is ultimately impossible. So, we are asking for your help! To collate a robust marine mammal distribution database, we will require large inputs of data.
There are multiple ways you can help and get involved in this project, including:
Reporting all your marine mammal sightings via TrakMM, MMF’s online easy-to-use sightings reporting system.
If you’re on social media, join our Dolphin & Whale Spotting Victoria TrakMM Facebook group and post sightings and/or footage.
Sending in photographic images of any marine mammals you encounter.
Collecting water samples to be used for eDNA analysis.
Special thanks to our current supporters
Meet the researcher!
Jemima Beddoe, is a PhD student at RMIT University working in collaboration with the Marine Mammal Foundation. For her Honours project Jemima worked with MMF to investigate the population distribution, behaviour and drivers of habitat use for the Burrunan dolphin population in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. Now Jemima is undertaking her PhD project, focussing on creating a comprehensive biodiversity assessment of marine mammals in the South-eastern coastal waters of Australia. Throughout this project Jemima hopes to highlight the power of citizen science and encourages all individuals to get involved in marine mammal research and conservation.
