DATASET

  Title

Southern Right Whale Migration Paths in the Recherche Archipelago

  Custodian

 Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM)

  Jurisdiction

 Western Australia

DESCRIPTION

  Abstract

This dataset consists of lines in the shape of arrows representing Southern Right Whale migration paths within the study area for the proposed Recherche Archipelago marine protected area, off the southern coast of Western Australia. Attributes include source of attribution, and source of linework. Southern Right Whale migration paths are identified at a broad scale only and are suitable for regional representation on map products.

The dataset has been developed as part of CALM Marine Conservation Branch's resource assessment of the region. The resource assessment has been undertaken to assist in the marine reserve implementation process for the proposed Recherche Archipelago marine protected area. This dataset is complemented by a polygon dataset - Southern Right Whale activity (other than migration) in the Recherche Archipelago. It is also complemented by other fauna datasets within the region including furseal breeding and haul-out islands, sealion breeding and haul-out islands, and seabird breeding islands. 

The dataset was generated from anecdotal information provided by experts, and from published information [Bannister (1994)] gathered during a literature review of marine wildlife in the region.
Southern Right Whale migration paths were then compiled on base maps by Kevin Bancroft and the dataset was digitised and attributed by Ben Lamb in February 2002. This is the first stage in the generation of this dataset. The dataset will be upgraded as priorities, time and resources permit.

  Search Word(s)

 

Geographic Extent Name(s) 

Eucla (EUC) and WA South Coast (WSC) IMCRA Regions

DATA CURRENCY

  Begin Date

 01/10/2001

  End Date

 21/02/2002

DATASET STATUS

  Progress

 Complete

  Maintenance & Update Frequency

As required

ACCESS

  Stored Data Format

DIGITAL ArcView3.2 shapefile, geographical coordinates based on GDA94 datum
NONDIGITAL Paper base maps containing raw information 

  Available Format Type

 DIGITAL ArcView 3.2 shapefile

  Access Constraint

Data available for external use subject to transfer fee and license conditions.
Data is not to be distributed without authorisation from CALM. 
Contact CALM's database administrator for further details.

DATA QUALITY

  Lineage

1.  Hardcopy base maps containing a coastline, broadscale bathymetry information (10m, 20m, 50m, 100m, 200m isobaths), Australian maritime boundaries and the proposed study area were generated. Maps were produced at a scale of approximately 1:350 000.

2.  Bernie Haberley (ex CALM wildlife officer), Klaus Teiderman (CALM staff) and Fud Mckenzie (Sealion Charters) were consulted to delineate Southern Right Whale migration paths on the hard copy base maps based on their knowledge of marine wildlife in the region. See attribute SOURCE_A  for details. Bannister (1994) was also refererred to as an aid in identifying migration paths.

3.  Migration paths were digitised on screen using the hard copy base map as a reference. Digitising was undertaken at a scale of approximately 1:100,000.

4.  Polygons were attributed as per the base map and other sources (see attribute SOURCE_A), and data was checked for logical consistency.

5.  Data datum transformed from AGD84 to GDA94 using the 'change datum' functionality of the extension 'CALM Added Functionality v2000' in Arcview3.2.

6. The dataset was checked against CALM MCB Marine Information System standards and metadata reviewed by Mark Sheridan.

 Positional Accuracy

The migration paths are represented as arrows to be indicative of the routes taken by the whales. They are designed for representation at no better than 1: 100 000  scale. Due to the way the migration paths are represented, the data is suitable for map production purposes only, and is not suitable for analysis.

The data has been collated from information provided by experts and a literature review during a rapid assesment of the marine fauna usage of the area. Resource and time constraints prevented more detailed survey work being undertaken. Due to the nature of the study, positional accuracy should be considered as approximate only as these lines represent a general path along which the activity takes place. No attempt has been made to interpret the widths, or extent of the migration paths. 
Delineation of migration paths may not be comprehensive.

Positional inaccuracies may also have occurred due to; 
i) the detail of base maps being sufficient for only broad scale delineation of wildlife distribution/activity,
ii) some information being more precise in its definition of the extent of location than others.

Digitising of polygons from the hard copy base maps varies in positional accuracy from 50m to approximately 250m (based on accuracy of 1mm at digitising scale).

  Attribute Accuracy

The data has been collected from anecdotal information provided by knowledgeable people who are familiar with the area and regularly observe marine wildlife use of the area. A literature review was also undertaken to leverage previous work that has been done in the area. Detailed survey work has not been undertaken. 

Due to the resource and time constraints of the project, not all relevant attributes have been given values. These include direction (represented graphically in the data), period of migration, relationship to any physical features eg isobath. 
Those attributes that have been given values have been checked and validated as accurate against the information delineated on the base maps. 

  Logical Consistency

Attribute names have been checked and validated for consistency across all wildlife datasets created for the implementation of the proposed Recherche Archipelago marine protected area.

Attribute values have been checked and validated for consistency, and checked for logic in relation to attribute names.

The shapefile has been compiled carefully to avoid overlaps or duplication of features.

Completeness

The dataset is complete for the current phase of the project. The dataset will be upgraded as priorities, time and resources permit. 
Further work needs to be undertaken to define distribution, extent, and period of migration. 
Feedback that would contribute to the quality of this dataset is appreciated. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

  Contact Organisation

 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Marine Conservation Branch

  Contact Position

 Marine GIS Co-ordinator

  Mail Address 1

 47 Henry Street

  Mail Address 2

  Suburb or Place or Locality

 Fremantle

  State or Locality 2

 WA

  Country

 Australia

  Postcode

 6160

  Telephone

 08 9432 5109

  Facsimile

 08 9430 5408

  Electronic Mail Address

 rayl@calm.wa.gov.au

METADATA DATE

  Metadata Date

 02/05/2002

ADDITIONAL METADATA

  Additional Metadata

For further information refer to:

i)  Lee, S. & Bancroft, K.P. (2001). Review of existing ecological information for the proposed Recherche Archipelago marine conservation reserve.
Literature Review MRI/WSC,EUC/SIN,RAR-51/2001. 
Marine Conservation Branch, Department of Conservation and Land Managment, 
Perth, Western Australia.

ii)  Bannister, J.L. (1994). Report on aerial survey and photo-identification of humpback whales off Western Australia, 1994. prepared by the W.A. Museum for the Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Perth, Western Australia.