NESP MaC 4.9: iPCoD Models for Whale Vulnerability to Offshore Wind Noise

A 2024-2025 desktop study used available data and expert elicitation to develop interim Population Consequences of Disturbance (iPCoD) models for Endangered blue whales and southern right whales. The project, led by the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub, assessed potential population-level effects from underwater noise related to offshore wind developments off Portland and Gippsland, Victoria. Outputs include model results and a final report to support risk assessment, species recovery planning, and noise guidance.

Use Cases

• Assessing population-level consequences of disturbance based on the iPCoD model framework described.
• Identifying high-risk species and scenarios for windfarm development based on spatial and temporal overlap analysis.
• Prioritizing data gaps and research needs for whale conservation based on model outputs.
• Supporting underwater noise guidance and mitigation planning for ocean-based activities like seismic surveys.

Strengths

• Models were developed using expert elicitation, a recognized method for formalizing expert knowledge.
• The iPCoD framework is designed to be updated with new data and integrated with other modelling approaches.
• Project outputs are directly relevant for regulatory assessment under the EPBC Act.

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 is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Desktop study using available data and expert elicitation.

Time Range

Project conducted 2024-2025.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-05 02:55:32.458122; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Focus on offshore wind development areas off Portland and Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.