Report on the Torres Strait Conservation Planning Project 1997

This report and its annexes present the results of the Torres Strait Conservation Planning Project (TSCPP). The goal of the project was to provide aknowledge base through the collation of marine data to allow for the conservation planning in the Torres Strait. The study used existing datasets and was guided by an advisory group - Torres Strait Conservation Planning Project Advisory Group (TSCPAG) - which included representatives of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Environment Australia (EA), Queensland Department of Environment (QDoE), Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), TSRA, ICC and other recognised experts when required.The objectives/tasks of TSCPP were:· undertake a literature review and produce an annotated bibliography of Torres Strait data related to conservation planning including an assessment of utility of the data for conservation planning· assess marine datasets held by various agencies, in both digital, paper and textual form, for their scale, accuracy and relevance for conservation planning. Access and translate available marine data to appropriate formats and collate on the CSIRO GIS of Torres Strait· identify and where possible collate existing habitat maps, air photos and satellite imagery· in consultation with TSCPAG, undertake an analysis to derive an initial classification of the marine habitats of Torres Strait including developing criteria and methods for classification of marine data/marine habitats and producing maps relevant to conservation planning in Torres Strait· determine any major gaps in the database in the context of spatial scales agreed for conservation plan· in consultation with the TSCPAG, design and cost a field program to collect the necessary data for conservation planning in Torres StraitRefer to the report:Poiner I, Skewes T, Pitcher R, Taranto TJ and Long BG. (1997) Torres Strait Conservation Planning Project: Overview Report. October 1997. CSIRO Division of Marine Research, QLD, Australia.