NESP MaC 4.25: Maugean Skate Abundance and Habitat Maps for Macquarie Harbour

A 2024 project from the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub produced hindcast (2017-18) and forecast habitat suitability maps for the endangered Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania. The project also generated Close Kin Mark Recapture (CKMR) analysis to estimate historical spawning stock abundance. Outputs include spatial data in PNG format and a final written report.

Use Cases

• Modeling critical habitat distribution based on dissolved oxygen, temperature, and depth variables mentioned in the description.
• Estimating historical adult population abundance and trends using Close Kin Mark Recapture (CKMR) genetic methods described.
• Informing spatial and temporal sampling strategies for future monitoring based on generated habitat maps.
• Evaluating potential remediation scenarios for Macquarie Harbour using forecast habitat suitability maps under different water-quality conditions.

Strengths

• Focuses on a critically endangered species with a highly restricted distribution, specifically the Maugean skate population of ~3,000 individuals in Macquarie Harbour.
• Integrates multiple data sources including telemetry data, biophysical harbour models, and next-generation DNA sequencing.
• Provides both hindcast (2017-18) and forecast habitat maps to support temporal analysis and scenario planning.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and specific data formats for core analyses (e.g., CKMR estimates) are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, associated with the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub.

Collection Method

Close Kin Mark Recapture (CKMR) genetic analysis and habitat selection modelling combining telemetry data with biophysical models.

Time Range

Hindcast period 2017-18; forecast scenarios based on recent conditions.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-04 07:27:40.339602; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Macquarie Harbour and Bathurst Harbour, western Tasmania, Australia.