Shell and INPEX Operational and Scientific Monitoring Program (OSMP) Applied Research Program 5 (ARP5) - Establishing the basis to evaluate the effects of an oil spill on commercially important demersal fishes

The ARP 5 project "Establishing the basis to evaluate the effects of an oil spill on commercially important demersal fishes" is one of 8 Projects that are part of the Applied Research Program that ensures progress is made towards adequate baselines for critical ecosystem components. All field trips also include a component of sampling sediments and water column at each fish sampling trace hydrocarbon analysis including poly aromatic and alkylated poly aromatic hydrocarbons, providing a direct linkage between in situ measurements of hydrocarbons and biochemical indicators of hydrocarbon exposure in target fish.
Objective/s: The ARP5 project has key objectives in the following areas: 1. Evaluate the potential of commercial catch data as a means to detect or quantify the effect of hydrocarbons on target populations in the northern demersal scalefish fishery. 2. Deliver improved baseline understanding of the status and spatial variability in populations of commercially and ecologically important finfish of the Browse Basin region, centred on the Prelude/Ichthys development. 3. Quantify levels of biochemical markers and indicators of hydrocarbon exposure for key commercial species at the selected sampling sites, providing an improved understanding of spatial variation in these indicators and increased ability to detect point source impacts. Data were collected during an 18 day field trip aboard the vessel Empress (22.25m Aluminium displacement Monohull). This was a vessel charter from the company empress Marine. Sampling was focused on off reef/shoal habitats as well as ridges around the Prelude/Ichthys development, and in adjacent areas representing a gradient of potential impact sites based on existing spill trajectory modelling. 9 sites were sampled using 7 Fish traps for catch composition and toxicology samples 7 BRUVS for species composition and size of adult fishes niskin bottles at 3 depths for water samples to be analysed for volatile compounds, dissolved hydrocarbons, dissolved metals and mercury CTD (Conductivity Temperature and Depth) for water column temperature and salinity profile sediment grab for sediment and headspace gas sample secchi disk to determine secchi depth A condition of AIMS and its Sub-contractors engaging with Shell and INPEX to develop and implement an OSMP was that an Applied Research Program (ARP) would be funded to ensure that progress is made towards adequate baselines for critical ecosystem components. This enables AIMS and its Sub-contractors to conduct pre- and post-spill comparisons to assess the extent and severity of impacts from a Tier 3 spill, reduces risks to the scientific reputation of AIMS and its Sub-contractors.