The unique fringing coral reef ecosystems of the Pilbara

The Pilbara region of north-western Australia is widely recognised for its unique and globally significant marine biodiversity. It’s also an area recognised for its rich mineral and gas deposits, with industrial activity continuing to increase in the area. But how do we balance the conservation of marine biodiversity with the management of commercial interests? This is the central mission of the Pilbara Marine Conservation Partnership.

CSIRO in partnership with The University of Western Australia has conducted the first ever regional-scale assessment of the conditions of – and threats to – the Pilbara coasts and its coral reefs. The partnership, known as, The Pilbara Conservation Marine Partnership (PMCP), concluded in 2017 and was funded by the Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits Fund. The fund is administered by the Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife and approved by the Minister for Environment after considering advice from the Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits Advisory Board.

The PMCP has collated existing information on the Pilbara region, developed maps, and conducted studies on the oceanography and connectivity and relationships between different marine habitats. The research has enabled a baseline assessment of, and threats to, key habitats and species. This research will form the basis of longer term studies to understand reef dynamics, fish and shark populations, and rates of recovery on reefs and near-coast areas across the west Pilbara region, from Ningaloo to the Dampier Archipelago.

PMCP long term sampling sites: The sites are sampled annually in collaboration with DPAW to collect data on coral cover and species diversity, macroalgae, and fish abundance and biomass.

Research activities were divided into three themes:

The research program has the potential to continue to provide ongoing advice and assessment for conservation efforts in the region, ensuring that the five-year program provides long-lasting tangible benefits to help achieve long-term sustainability in the region.

Expected Outcomes

The program has collected information to support management and conservation of the Pilbara shelf. Using scientific and social processes the research team has delivered:

a regional scale assessment of conditions of, and threats to, marine biodiversity
an evaluation of the condition of coral reef ecosystems and fish and shark populations
identification of the most important processes driving variation in the ecosystem, and understand this variation in the context of natural and human-induced influences
identification of ecological benchmarks (i.e. points of reference against which to measure changes) and thresholds (i.e. points below which the ecosystem risks altering to an undesirable state)

This project has also contributed to broader marine conservation outcomes by providing the data and information needed to establish an ecosystem-wide regional context for environmental and industry monitoring programs, that will underpin marine management in the region.