NESP MaC Project 4.9: iPCoD Models for Whale Vulnerability to Windfarm Noise, 2024-2025

A 2024-2025 desktop study developed interim Population Consequences of Disturbance (iPCoD) models for Endangered blue whales and southern right whales in Australian waters. The project, associated with the Australian Ocean Data Network, used available data and expert elicitation to assess risks from offshore wind developments near Portland and Gippsland, Victoria. Outputs include model results and a final report, identifying high-risk scenarios and data gaps.

Use Cases

• Assessing population-level consequences of underwater noise on whales based on the described iPCoD framework.
• Identifying high-risk species and scenarios for windfarm development based on spatial and temporal overlap analysis.
• Informing mitigation requirements and species recovery planning based on model outputs about compromised population viability.
• Updating risk assessments for other ocean-based activities like seismic surveys based on the adaptable iPCoD framework.

Strengths

• Models were developed for two specific Endangered whale species: blue whales and southern right whales.
• The framework considers multiple factors including spatial overlap, life stages exposed, and likelihood of repeated disturbance.
• Project outputs are directly relevant for regulatory assessment under the EPBC Act.
• The iPCoD framework is designed to be updated as new data become available.

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

Collection Method

Desktop study using available data and expert elicitation.

Time Range

2024-2025

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-09 23:38:17.305984; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Australian waters, specifically regions off Portland and Gippsland, Victoria.