Baseline Survey, the Presence of G

TRUMPETER BAY MF281 – East of Yellow Bluff: BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

DRAFT FINAL REPORT (VERSION 1.0) June 2019

Report to: Huon Aquaculture Group Pty Ltd

Prepared by: AQUENAL PTY LTD

AQUENAL

www.aquenal.com.au MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 Document Distribution

Document Date Name Company Version Copies Type Dom Obrien, Huon Aquaculture 3 June 2019 Adam Smark, Electronic 1.0 1 Group Pty Ltd Matt Whittle 3 June 2019 Mark Churchill EPA Electronic 1.0 1

COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of Aquenal Pty Ltd. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Aquenal Pty Ltd constitutes an infringement of copyright.

DISCLAIMER: This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Aquenal Pty Ltd’s client and is subject to and issued in connection with the provisions of the agreement between Aquenal Pty Ltd and its Client. Aquenal Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party.

2 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 Contents

1 Summary ...... 6

2 Operational Summary ...... 10

3 Location and Survey Maps ...... 11

4 Current Measurements ...... 12

5 Bathymetric Profile ...... 17

6 Seabed Characteristics and Habitat Profile ...... 18

7 Underwater Video Survey ...... 19 7.1 Filming Summary ...... 19 7.2 Observations from Filming ...... 20

8 Sediment Chemistry ...... 30 8.1 Visual Assessment ...... 30 8.2 Redox Potential ...... 36 8.3 Sulphide Analysis ...... 36 8.4 Particle Size Analysis ...... 37 8.5 Organic Content ...... 38 8.6 Heavy Metal Analysis ...... 39

9 Gazameda gunnii Survey ...... 42

10 Benthic Fauna Analysis...... 44

11 Inshore Reef Surveys ...... 48

12 Deep Reef Surveys ...... 55

13 Seagrass Surveys ...... 57

14 References...... 61

3 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 List of Figures Figure 1 Location and Survey Map, MF281 – Yellow Bluff, Trumpeter Bay. Sites C1 – C3 indicate control triplicates; sites 1 – 14 indicate the 35 m compliance triplicates; IF1-IF30 indicate internal sites IR1-IR6 indicate inshore reef transects, DR1 indicates deep reef transects, SG indicate seagrass transects. Red line = zone boundary; black rectangle = lease boundary...... 11 Figure 2a Polar plots of current velocity and direction for depths spaced at 3m intervals fromthe surface to the seafloor, (January – April 2019). The plots are read as if the current flow moves from the outer circle towards the centre of the graph...... 13 Figure 3 Bathymetric profile for MF281 – Yellow Bluff. Black line indicates the lease boundary...... 17 Figure 4 Survey habitat map. Red outline – Zone boundary; black rectangle – lease boundary for MF281 – Yellow Bluff...... 18 Figure 5 Redox potential at 30 mm depth in sediment cores. Bars represent mean redox potential (± SE error) across replicate cores (n=3 for compliance and control sites; n=30 for internal IF sites) ...... 36 Figure 6 Sulphide concentrations in sediment core samples. Bars represent mean sulphide concentration (± SE error) across replicate cores (n=3 for compliance and control sites; n=30 for internal IF sites)...... 37 Figure 7 Particle size analyses of the top 100 mm of sediment. Lines represent mean percentage cumulative volume for size fractions at each site, based on pooled replicates for compliance (n=3), control (n=3) and internal farm (n=30) sites...... 38 Figure 8 Organic content in sediment core samples. Bars represent mean organic content (± SE error) across replicate cores (n=3 for compliance and control sites; n=30 for internal IF sites)...... 39 Figure 9 Location of grab samples taken during Gazameda gunnii survey for MF281 – Yellow Bluff, highlighting the sample sites where dead shells were collected (1, 9, 23, 26, 31, 38 and 40)...... 42 Figure 10 Photograph of dead G. gunnii shells collected during the targeted survey of MF281-Yellow Bluff...... 43 Figure 11 Results of MDS analysis using benthic infauna data collected from benthic grabs for MF281 – Yellow Bluff. Compliance and control symbols represent pooled data across three replicate grabs, internal farm site symbols describe single samples taken at each site. Ellipses indicate community similarity (%) based on cluster analysis.45 Figure 12 Benthic faunal analysis of seabed samples – MF281 – Yellow Bluff.. K – dominance curves. Analysis based on pooled data for compliance (n=3), control (n=3) and internal farm (n=30) sites...... 47 Figure 13 Representative habitats along deep reef survey transect...... 55 Figure 14 Map showing location of seagrass survey transects, including (a) North Bruny Island (a) and (b) Adventure Bay...... 58

List of Tables Table 1 Summarised current and velocity data for depths spaced at 3m intervals from 3m to the seafloor, (January – April 2019)...... 12 Table 2 Descriptions of dives performed at MF281 – Yellow Bluff...... 20 Table 3 Description of each ROV dive performed at MF281 – Yellow Bluff. Video analysis and interpretation provided by Huon Aquaculture...... 25 Table 4 Visual description of sediment cores at MF281 – Yellow Bluff...... 31 Table 5 Summary of heavy metal analysis of sediment samples and comparison with the ANZECC 2000 trigger values. Results represent mean concentrations (± SE error) across replicate cores (n=3 for compliance and control sites; n=30 for internal IF sites). Exceedance of ANZECC 2000 trigger values, based on average metal concentrations, are highlighted in yellow Raw data is provided in Appendix 7...... 41 Table 6 Summary of Gazameda gunnii observations ...... 43 Table 7 Summary of benthic faunal analysis. The category ‘other’ included anthozoans, ascidians, chordates, nemerteans, nematodes, oligochaetes, phoronids, platyhelminths and sipunculids...... 46 Table 8 Summary of macroalgal survey results. Data represent mean % cover across 20 replicate 0.25 m2 quadrats per site. The column FG% represents the total % cover for each functional group...... 49 Table 9 Summary of fish survey results. Data represent total abundance for the 2000 m2 survey area at each site...... 52 Table 10 Summary of invertebrates and cryptic fish survey results. Data represent total abundance for the 200 m2 survey area at each site...... 54 Table 11. Summary of seabed characteristics along deep reef survey transect...... 56 Table 12 Epiphyte coverage qualitative scale ...... 57 Table 13Summary of observations from seagrass surveys. Seagrass (Zostera tasmanica) and Caulerpa spp. coverage estimates represent average assessed across ten replicate frame grabs per dive. Average epiphyte scores represent average assessed across ten replicate frame grabs per dive. See Appendix 14 for raw data...... 60

4 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 List of Appendices Appendix 1 Survey coordinates for sediment sampling, based on the Mapping Grid of Australia Zone 55 (Datum GDA94)...... 62 Appendix 2 Survey coordinates for Gazameda gunnii sampling, based on the Mapping Grid of Australia Zone 55 (Datum GDA94)...... 63 Appendix 3 Images of sediment cores ...... 64 Appendix 4 Redox potential – raw data ...... 71 Appendix 5 Sulphide concentration – raw data...... 71 Appendix 6 Particle size analysis – raw data ...... 73 Appendix 7 Raw Data: Benthic infauna ...... 75 Appendix 8 Heavy metal analysis – raw data. Yellow cells indicate exceedance of ANZECC ISQG ‘low’ trigger values, orange cells indicate exceedance of ANZECC ISQG ‘high’ trigger values...... 80 Appendix 9 Raw Data - Edgar-Barrett Surveys: Macroalgae percentage cover...... 82 Appendix 10 Raw Data - Edgar-Barrett Surveys: Cryptic fish and invertebrates ...... 88 Appendix 11 Raw Data - Edgar-Barrett Surveys: Fish ...... 90 Appendix 12 Edgar-Barrett Surveys: Images of representative habitats at inshore reef sites R1-R6...... 91 Appendix 13 Deep reef survey: Images of representative habitats...... 92 Appendix 14 Seagrass survey: Raw data – Frame grab analysis of seagrass footage ...... 94 Appendix 15 Seagrass survey: Images of representative habitats ...... 96

5 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 1 Summary

Trumpeter Bay Marine Farming Lease No. 281 - East of Yellow Bluff (MF281 – Yellow Bluff) is located in Storm Bay in southeast Tasmania. In accordance with the EPA Schedule of Requirements for Salmonid Finfish Baseline Environmental Survey, a finfish baseline environmental survey was required prior to commencement of aquaculture operations. A summary of the survey findings are provided below:

Current flow Current flow data were collected and analysed by Huon Aquaculture. In order to measure localised current movement, an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) was deployed from a buoy on the SE corner of the Yellow Bluff lease from 1st January 2019 to 30th April 2019. Analysis revealed moderate flows throughout the water column, comparable to flows measured at the more southern Trumpeter Bay sites (albeit slightly lower) and generally higher than for the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Predominant flow direction in the top half of the water column was towards the east and south, and towards the northwest and west in the bottom half of the water column. Based on the ADCP deployment the site is predicted to experience surface flows of 20-50 cms-1 for approximately 5-10% of the time.

Seabed ROV (video) survey Baseline information on the seafloor appearance and sediments was collected by Huon Aquaculture. Filming of the seabed was conducted with a Remote Observation Vehicle (ROV) at 81 sites. All sites shared the common features of rippled relatively coarse sand with shell grit and shell debris. The amount of shell debris and material varied between sites, and between triplicates on occasion. The fauna was generally depauperate, consisting in the main of Maoricolpus roseus (New Zealand screw shell), sycozoan stalks, heart urchins (test fragments), ribbon worms (many noted on occasion) and anemones (most probably from the family Edwardsiidae). There were also occasional brittle stars and moderate densities of hermit crabs and other crustaceans spread across the survey area. Low densities of Asterias amurensis (Northern Pacific seastars) were noted at a number of sites. At a small number of sites (i.e. 9.1, 14.1, 14.2, C1.3, IF1), higher densities of A. amurensis were observed. The locations where higher A. amurensis densities were observed appeared randomly distributed across the survey area. Fish were occasionally sighted during the survey, these were comprised of small benthic fish (most probably from the family Gobiidae), flathead, sea moths, flounder, gurnard and skates.

The New Zealand screw shell Maoricolpus roseus appeared at most sites but was generally more numerous at the compliance sites along the eastern edge of the lease. No live specimens were observed during the survey, but many of the empty shells inhabited by hermit crabs. The only introduced species identified during the ROV survey were Maoricolpus roseus and Asterias amurensis. There were no threatened species identified during the ROV survey.

Sediment chemistry Sediment redox values measured at 30 mm sediment depth averaged 325 mV. There was no strong pattern of redox potential in relation to compliance, control or internal farm sites. The observed relatively high redox values at all sites are indicative of well oxygenated sediments. Sulphide concentrations were generally very low at most sites, averaging 1.58 µM across all sites. Most sites recorded sulphide levels near zero or below detection and no sites exceeded concentrations typical of organically enriched sediments (i.e. > 100 µM).

6 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 Patterns of particle size distribution were indicative of a sedimentary environment with moderate- high agitation of seabed sediments and associated low abundance of fine silt and clay fractions. Sediments across the area sampled were typically dominated by the ‘medium sand’ (0.25 mm; average 46 % v/v across all sites) and ‘fine sand’ (0.125 mm; average 27 % v/v across all sites) particle size fractions. Overall, the sediments contained a relatively low proportion of fine clay and silt fractions (i.e. < 0.063 mm; average 2.5% v/v across all sites).

The organic content of the sediments was low at all sites (average 1.4%), as expected in sandy sediments. There was only minor variation between sampling sites, with no strong spatial patterns evident. Results from heavy metal analysis showed that for most analytes, the ANZECC Interim Sediment Quality Guideline (ISQG) trigger values were not exceeded. The average concentration of Arsenic (As) across the survey (19.6 mg/kg) was below the ANZECC ISQG ‘low’ trigger values (i.e. 20 mg/kg), however, slight exceedances of this value were relatively common across all sample sites. Considerably higher concentrations were observed at IF24 (56 mg/kg) and from samples at C1.2 (77 mg/kg) and C1.3 (86 mg/kg). The latter two samples exceeded the ANZECC ISQG ‘high’ trigger values for Arsenic (i.e. 70 mg/kg). While there are no ANZECC guidelines for Manganese (Mn), relatively high values were also observed at the same sites where Arsenic levels were relatively high. The relatively high Arsenic and Manganese concentrations measured in a small number of samples are considered anomalous. Potential reasons for these concentrations remain speculative, however, it is most likely due to an anthropogenic disturbance of the sediment.

Gazameda gunnii survey Targeted sampling for the threatened mollusc Gazameda gunnii was undertaken using a Van Veen grab at 40 sites spread across the lease area. No live shells were detected during the targeted G. gunnii survey. Nine individual dead shells/shell fragments of G. gunnii were collected and retained from seven sites. The shells were mostly small (<30 mm) and were generally scattered across the survey area. During other benthic sampling activities undertaken as part of the baseline survey, the presence of G. gunnii was also noted and live animals were detected from a small number of benthic samples (4 animals from 81 samples). Based on the extremely low densities in the zone area and widespread distribution of G. gunnii, the development poses a negligible threat to G. gunnii populations.

Benthic fauna analysis Benthic fauna analysis revealed high diversity, with a total of 13,745 individuals from 155 families identified across the 81 samples. Faunal communities were dominated by crustaceans, accounting for 65.0% of individuals and 37.4 % of families identified. The remaining fauna was mainly comprised of molluscs (16.1% of individuals and 28.4 % of families), polychaetes (14.4% of individuals and 20.6 % of families) and echinoderms (0.8% of individuals and 5.2 % of families). Other fauna, including anthozoans, ascidians, chordates, nemerteans, nematodes, oligochaetes, phoronids, platyhelminths and sipunculids, were recorded in relatively low numbers. The most common families recorded across all samples included Photidae (amphipod, 9.2% of individuals), Maeridae (amphipod, 6.4% of individuals), Philomedidae (ostracod, 5.9% of individuals), Galeommatidae (bivalve mollusc, 4.8% of individuals) and Veneridae (bivalve mollusc, 4.5% of individuals). Low numbers of introduced species were observed during the survey. Four introduced taxa were recorded, including the American spider crab Pyromaia tuberculata (26 individuals), the bivalve Varicorbula gibba (8 individuals), the caprellid Caprella acanthogaster (6 individuals) and the New Zealand screw shell Maoricolpus roseus (1 individual). The capitellids Mediomastus sp. (87 individuals), Heteromastus sp (35 individuals) and Notomastus sp. (2 individuals) were recorded in low densities across the survey area. These polychaetes are

7 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 commonly encountered in south-east Tasmania and are not regarded as a pollution indicator species.

Based on the benthic faunal patterns present, potential future impacts to the benthos should be readily observable. Indicators of organic enrichment would be expected to include an increase in dominance patterns and decline in taxonomic diversity. Such patterns would be readily discernible, given the high taxonomic diversity evident in the baseline survey.

Reef surveys Inshore reef surveys were conducted at six sites on North Bruny Island. Surveys were undertaken along transects on the 5 m contour following the “Edgar-Barrett” methodology for underwater visual census. This method documents reef biodiversity for all fish, invertebrate and algal communities within a given site.

Overall cover of macroalgae canopy was relatively high, being above 80% at five of the six sites. The dominant canopy-forming species varied between sites, with Ecklonia radiata dominant at the four northern sites and Phyllospora comosa dominant at the two southern sites. Understorey algae and substrate composition tended to be a reflection of the dominant canopy forming species, and this pattern was consistent across all six sites. An average of 36 algal species were found at each site, with understorey red algae generally comprising more than half of these species.

In general, the fish species present across all six sites were typical of sub-tidal southern Tasmanian reefs, with wrasses (Family Labridae) dominating, followed by leatherjackets (Family Monocanthidae) and weed whitings (Family Odacidae). While Trachinops caudimaculatus (southern hula) and Pempheris multiradiata (common bullseye) were the most commonly recorded fish species, these were patchy in distribution and generally only occurred in large schools. Notolabrus tetricus (blue-throat wrasse) had the highest even distribution across all six sites with an average of 28 individuals recorded per site, closely followed by N. fucicola (purple wrasse), which averaged 14 individuals per site. An average of 17 species were found at each site, with a total of 31 species recorded across all six sites.

Large mobile invertebrate communities were generally dominated by the feather star Comanthus trichoptera, at some sites accounting for over 80% of all invertebrates recorded. Jasus edwardsii (southern rock lobster) was also recorded in consistent numbers at each site. Overall invertebrate numbers were much lower in the southern two sites, although relative proportions of dominant invertebrate species were similar to the four northern sites. Diversity was comparable across all six sites, with an average of eleven species recorded at each site. Cryptic fish species were consistently recorded in low abundances across all six sites, although schools of juvenile Pempheris multiradiata (common bullseye) were recorded at two of the six sites. Cryptic fish diversity was generally low, with an average of 6 species per site.

A survey of deep reef habitat approximately 3 km east of the lease was undertaken along a 200 m transect line. The seabed was mainly low-profile reef with minimal variation in depth across the 200 m transect (31.8 – 33.5 m). At the start of the transect a small section of moderate profile reef was present (1-2 m relief). Benthic coverage on the seafloor was dominated by red algae, with sponges and other sessile invertebrates interspersed amongst the algae. A range of sponge colours and morphologies were observed including arborescent, cup-shaped, finger and encrusting growth forms. Sand patches were present amongst the reef, with accumulated sand/turf also observed on the reef surface. A variety fish species were observed on the deep reef,

8 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 with community structure considered typical of south-east Tasmanian reef systems. Fish species commonly recorded included Caesioperca lepidoptera (butterfly perch), Pseudolabrus rubicundus (rosy wrasse) and Notolabrus tetricus (blue throat wrasse).

Seagrass surveys Seagrass (Zostera tasmanica) surveys were undertaken along transects using ROV at sites adjacent to the coastline at North Bruny Island (4 sites, 50 m transects) and Adventure Bay (3 sites 200 – 300 m transects). There was considerable variation in seagrass abundance and habitat type across the two survey regions (i.e. North Bruny, Adventure Bay) and also between sites in each region. At North Bruny Island, very sparse patchy seagrass was evident (average cover 14.4%), while dense seagrass beds predominated at Adventure Bay sites (average cover 51.1%). Epiphytic algal growth was considerably higher at North Bruny Island compared to Adventure Bay

Differences in seagrass and epiphyte coverage likely reflect natural environmental differences between the two sampling regions. The Adventure Bay sites were deeper, more exposed to swell and in closer proximity to oceanic waters. In contrast, the North Bruny Island survey sites were shallower and also more likely to be affected by influences from the Derwent Estuary (e.g. nutrients, salinity variation). While speculative, the high epiphyte cover at North Bruny sites is likely a seasonal summer pattern due to warm temperatures that are common in shallow sheltered coastal locations.

9 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 2 Operational Summary

Contractor: AQUENAL PTY LTD ABN 74 151 011 157 244 Summerleas Road, Kingston, Tasmania 7050 Phone 03 6229 2334 Fax 03 6229 2335

Client: Huon Aquaculture Group Pty Ltd PO BOX 42, Dover, TAS 7117 T: 03 6295 8118 | F: 03 6295 8161

Field work: ROV filming: Huon Aquaculture Seabed sampling: Aquenal Pty Ltd Inshore reef surveys: Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS)

Dates of fieldwork: 17-18th January, 27th February, 4th March 2019 – ROV survey 18th January, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 27th February – Seabed sampling 6th, 13th, 14th, 15th March – Inshore reef surveys

Weather: 17/1/2019 18/1/2019 19/2/2019 20/2/2019 22/2/2019 27/2/2019 4/3/2019 Wind: SW 5-10 kn Light & NW 10 kn W 15-20 kn SE 5-10 kn SE 5-10 kn Light & variable variable Sky: Cloudy Clear Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Partly cloudy Clear Rain: Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Sea: <0.5 m <0.5 m <0.5 m 0.5 – 1 m 0.5 – 1 m 0.5 m 1 m Current: Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible

Weather: 6/3/2019 13/3/2019 14/3/2019 15/3/2019 Wind: SSW 3-15 kn Light & NE 5 kn SW-SE 3-10 variable knots Sky: Partly Cloud Partly Cloud Partly Cloud Partly Cloud Rain: Nil Nil Nil Nil Sea: Choppy SE Swell 1m S Swell <1m S Swell <1m Current: Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible

Laboratory Analysis: Video analysis of compliance, control and internal sites: Huon Aquaculture Video analysis of seagrass and deep reef surveys: Aquenal Pty Ltd Heavy metals, organic content: Analytical Services Tasmania (AST). All other analysis by Aquenal Pty Ltd.

Filming for this assessment was carried out by Huon Aquaculture using a Blue-ROV-02 Remotely Operated Inspection System accompanied by two optimised LED arrays adjustable lights. In addition, a GoPro Hero 4+ (G4+) or a GoPro Hero 7 (G7) was mounted onto the ROV to capture high definition footage. The positions of all dives were located or marked by DGPS using a Nomad 800L mobile GIS unit with attached Novatel Smart Antenna Differential GPS. Seabed sampling was undertaken by Aquenal Pty Ltd using a Craib Corer and Van-veen grab. Positioning for seabed sampling was undertaken using a Garmin GPS in combination with a Novatel Smart Antenna Differential GPS, giving positions accurate to ~2m. The GPS systems were referenced to a State Permanent Mark (SPM) prior to commencement of fieldwork. 10 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 3 Location and Survey Maps

Figure 1 Location and Survey Map, MF281 – Yellow Bluff, Trumpeter Bay. Sites C1 – C3 indicate control triplicates; sites 1 – 14 indicate the 35 m compliance triplicates; IF1-IF30 indicate internal sites; IR1-IR6 indicate inshore reef transects, DR1 indicates deep reef transects, SG indicates seagrass transects. Red line = zone boundary; black rectangle = lease boundary. 11 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 4 Current Measurements

Current flow data were collected and analysed by Huon Aquaculture. In order to measure localised current movement, an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) was deployed from a Xylem wave buoy on the SE corner of the Yellow Bluff lease from 1st January 2019 to 30th April 2019 (55 G 535390 5225035)

The ADCP was set to measure current velocity and direction throughout the water column every 30 minutes, and for reporting purposes the data has been provided for the whole water column for depths spaced at 3 m intervals from the surface to the seafloor.

In Table 1 the current and velocity data is summarised for average flow, maximum flow and percentage of flows across a range of current speeds (including the percentage of flow less than 3 cms-1, less than 5 cms-1, greater than 10 cms-1 and greater than 20 cms-1 for each depth). Polar plots of current velocity and direction are provided in Figure 1, and the velocity frequency histograms for all depth provided in Figure 2.

The data shows there to be moderate flow throughout the water column, which is similar to flows measured at the more southern Trumpeter Bay sites (albeit slightly lower) and generally higher than for the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, indicating that the lease should provide good seafloor recovery conditions.

A comparison to the data provided for the EIS for Yellow bluff (7-8 weeks of data September and October 2017; Huon Aquaculture 2017) shows that the velocity is very similar throughout the water column given that the surface deployed ADCP used during the present deployment does not measure flow in the top 1-2 m of the water column. Predominant flow direction differs to the earlier deployment with the predominant flow in the top half of the water column being towards the east and south, and towards the northwest and west in the bottom half of the water column. This may possibly be due to seasonal effects with the earlier deployment being in September/October. Based on this analysis it is predicted the site will experience surface flows of 20-50 cms-1 for approximately 5-10% of the time.

Table 1 Summarised current and velocity data (cms-1) for depths spaced at 3 m intervals from 3m to the seafloor (January – April 2019).

Depth bins/cells Cell01 Cell02 Cell03 Cell04 Cell05 Cell06 Cell07 Cell08 Cell09 Cell10 Depth range (m) 33-30 30-27 27-24 24-21 21-18 18-15 15-12 12-9 9-6 6-3 Mean 3.4 5.4 5.9 6.2 6.4 6.7 7.3 8.0 8.8 10.7 Max 16.5 21.5 24.3 26.8 25.5 26.6 30.4 34.0 36.0 41.2 Min 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 %flow<3cm/s 46.9 22.7 19.4 18.6 17.6 17.4 14.7 12.6 11.3 7.4 %flow<5cm/s 81.3 50.6 42.8 41.5 40.9 39.6 34.9 30.5 28.4 18.5 %flow>10cm/s 0.4 8.2 10.4 13 15.5 17.8 22.5 27.6 32.8 47.7 %flow>20cm/s 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.5 1.1 1.5 2.1 5.2 8.8

12 MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Figure 2a Polar plots of current velocity and direction for depths spaced at 3m intervals fromthe surface to the seafloor, (January – April 2019). The plots are read as if the current flow moves from the outer circle towards the centre of the graph.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Figure 2b Polar plots of current velocity and direction for depths spaced at 3m intervals fromthe surface to the seafloor, (January – April 2019). The plots are read as if the current flow moves from the outer circle towards the centre of the graph.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Figure 2c Polar plots of current velocity and direction for depths spaced at 3m intervals fromthe surface to the seafloor, (January – April 2019). The plots are read as if the current flow moves from the outer circle towards the centre of the graph.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Figure 3 Velocity Frequency Histograms, (January – April 2019). Velocity groups in cm/sec - calm, 1-3, 3-5, 5-10, 10- 20, 20-50 and >50cm/s.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 5 Bathymetric Profile Detailed bathymetric surveys were conducted in November 2016 by CSIRO on Southern Surveyor, operating a multibeam sounder at 300Khz. The infill was completed with data from multibeam sounders operating at 30 and 70-100 Khz. The bathymetry profile based on this survey is illustrated in Figure 3 below.

Figure 3 Bathymetric profile for MF281 – Yellow Bluff. Black line indicates the lease boundary.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 6 Seabed Characteristics and Habitat Profile

Figure 4 Survey habitat map. Red outline – Zone boundary; black rectangle – lease boundary for MF281 – Yellow Bluff.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 7 Underwater Video Survey

7.1 Filming summary

The appearance of the seabed in the vicinity of MF281 – Yellow Bluff was recorded by filming spot dives of the sea floor using a Blue-ROV-02 Remotely Operated Inspection System accompanied by two optimised LED arrays adjustable lights. Two different ROV recording software setups were used for this survey, a Black Magic system (BM) and an Ocam system (OC). In addition, a GoPro Hero 4+ (G4+) or a GoPro Hero 7 (G7) was mounted onto the ROV to capture high definition footage. The GoPro footage was the predominate footage used for observations at all sites.

Filming and interpretation of video footage was carried out by Huon Aquaculture. The spot dive locations were:

- Compliance sites at 35 m outside the lease boundary (sites 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.3, 4.1-4.3, 5.1-5.3, 6.1-6.3, 7.1-7.3, 8.1-8.3, 9.1-9.3, 10.1-10.3, 11.1-11.3, 12.1-12.3, 13.1-13.3, 14.1- 14.3) - Control sites at least 200 m from the lease boundary (sites C1.1-C1.3, C.2.1-C2.3, C.3.1- C3.3). - Internal habitat sites consisting of thirty evenly spaced locations within the lease boundary (sites IF1-IF30).

Survey sites were located at positions specified by the EPA. The positions of all dives were located or marked by DGPS using a Nomad 800L mobile GIS unit with attached Novatel Smart Antenna Differential GPS.

Descriptions of video footage are summarised for each site in Table 2 below. A hard drive containing the digital recording of all control, compliance and internal lease dive sites for MF281 – Yellow Bluff has been forwarded to EPA.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 7.2 Observations from filming

Table 2 Descriptions of dives performed at MF281 – Yellow Bluff. Easting (GDA94 Northing (GDA94 Site Date Time Depth (m) Dive type Visibility (m) Recording method MGA55) MGA55)

1.1 534040 5226908 17/01/2019 8:56:00 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

1.2 534059 5226911 17/01/2019 9:11:00 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

1.3 534082 5226916 17/01/2019 9:22:47 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

2.1 534355 5226980 17/01/2019 9:34:45 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

2.2 534374 5226984 17/01/2019 9:44:20 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

2.3 534395 5226991 17/01/2019 9:56:14 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

3.1 534673 5227053 17/01/2019 10:06:10 AM 28 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

3.2 534691 5227059 17/01/2019 10:16:52 AM 28 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

3.3 534707 5227063 17/01/2019 10:26:34 AM 28 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

4.1 535043 5226666 17/01/2019 10:44:33 AM 29 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

4.2 535050 5226653 17/01/2019 11:00:50 AM 29 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

4.3 535051 5226633 17/01/2019 11:15:02 AM 29 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

5.1 535128 5226293 17/01/2019 11:30:00 AM 30 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

5.2 535134 5226283 17/01/2019 11:40:35 AM 30 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

5.3 535137 5226264 17/01/2019 11:54:15 AM 30 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

6.1 535221 5225909 17/01/2019 12:32:32 PM 31 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

6.2 535227 5225889 17/01/2019 12:44:05 PM 31 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

6.3 535228 5225869 17/01/2019 12:56:27 PM 31 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Table 2 (continued) Easting (GDA94 Northing (GDA94 Site Date Time Depth (m) Dive type Visibility (m) Recording method MGA55) MGA55)

7.1 535318 5225491 17/01/2019 1:58:23 PM 32 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

7.2 535323 5225472 17/01/2019 1:20:48 PM 32 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

7.3 535331 5225452 17/01/2019 1:46:14 PM 32 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

8.1 535190 5224951 17/01/2019 2:06:20 PM 32 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

8.2 535173 5224945 17/01/2019 2:34:06 PM 32 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

8.3 535156 5224942 17/01/2019 2:45:13 PM 32 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

9.1 534900 5224882 17/01/2019 3:01:12 PM 32 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

9.2 534879 5224880 18/01/2019 8:11:11 AM 32 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

9.3 534858 5224875 18/01/2019 8:25:42 AM 32 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

10.1 534585 5224813 18/01/2019 8:38:58 AM 30 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

10.2 534567 5224810 18/01/2019 8:49:19 AM 30 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

10.3 534547 5224800 18/01/2019 9:13:59 AM 30 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

11.1 534193 5225192 18/01/2019 9:30:28 AM 28 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

11.2 534187 5225210 18/01/2019 9:44:00 AM 28 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

11.3 534182 5225230 18/01/2019 9:56:18 AM 28 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

12.1 534096 5225601 18/01/2019 10:09:16 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

12.2 534094 5225618 18/01/2019 10:20:01 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

12.3 534088 5225636 18/01/2019 10:44:03 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 BM & G4+

13.1 534001 5225998 27/02/2019 8:20:00 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

13.2 533995 5226017 27/02/2019 8:29:00 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

13.3 533996 5226033 27/02/2019 8:48:00 AM 27 External 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Table 2 (continued) Easting (GDA94 Northing (GDA94 Site Date Time Depth (m) Dive type Visibility (m) Recording method MGA55) MGA55)

14.1 533919 5226367 27/02/2019 9:10:00 AM 26 External 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

14.2 533911 5226386 27/02/2019 9:18:00 AM 26 External 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

14.3 533911 5226406 27/02/2019 9:28:00 AM 26 External 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

C1.1 533839 5228931 27/02/2019 10:58:00 AM 34 Control 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

C1.2 533858 5228935 27/02/2019 11:12:00 AM 35 Control 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

C1.3 533873 5228941 27/02/2019 11:26:00 AM 35 Control 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

C2.1 537053 5226464 27/02/2019 10:20:00 AM 33 Control 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

C2.2 537046 5226484 27/02/2019 10:30:00 AM 33 Control 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

C2.3 537037 5226507 27/02/2019 10:41:00 AM 33 Control 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

C3.1 533839 5228931 27/02/2019 9:42:00 AM 22 Control 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

C3.2 533858 5228935 27/02/2019 9:50:00 AM 23 Control 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

C3.3 533873 5228941 27/02/2019 9:59:00 AM 23 Control 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF1 534000 5226633 27/02/2019 11:47:00 AM 27 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF2 534286 5226697 27/02/2019 12:00:00 PM 27 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF3 534598 5226740 27/02/2019 12:14:00 PM 28 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF4 534851 5226791 27/02/2019 12:26:00 PM 28 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF5 534780 5226579 27/02/2019 12:37:00 PM 28 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF6 534489 5226584 27/02/2019 12:48:00 PM 28 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF7 534191 5226457 27/02/2019 1:00:00 PM 27 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF8 534147 5226223 27/02/2019 1:10:00 PM 27 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF9 534414 5226277 27/02/2019 1:24:00 PM 28 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF10 534677 5226379 27/02/2019 1:37:00 PM 29 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF11 534919 5226376 27/02/2019 1:48:00 PM 29 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Table 2 (continued) Easting (GDA94 Northing (GDA94 Site Date Time Depth (m) Dive type Visibility (m) Recording method MGA55) MGA55)

IF12 534873 5226208 27/02/2019 1:59:00 PM 30 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF13 534595 5226156 27/02/2019 2:10:00 PM 29 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G4+

IF14 534284 5226094 4/03/2019 9:30:00 AM 29 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF15 534208 5225874 4/03/2019 9:41:00 AM 28 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF16 534495 5225918 4/03/2019 9:53:00 AM 29 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF17 534774 5225996 4/03/2019 10:05:00 AM 30 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF18 535009 5225999 4/03/2019 12:57:00 PM 31 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF19 534975 5225810 4/03/2019 10:31:00 AM 31 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF20 534654 5225711 4/03/2019 10:44:00 AM 30 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF21 534397 5225697 4/03/2019 10:57:00 AM 29 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF22 534350 5225456 4/03/2019 11:07:00 AM 29 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF23 534558 5225349 4/03/2019 11:18:00 AM 30 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF24 534814 5225343 4/03/2019 11:30:00 AM 30 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF25 534874 5225595 4/03/2019 11:44:00 AM 31 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF26 535130 5225583 4/03/2019 11:56:00 AM 32 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF27 535190 5225281 4/03/2019 12:07:00 PM 32 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF28 535024 5225182 4/03/2019 12:18:00 PM 32 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF29 534714 5225097 4/03/2019 12:30:00 PM 31 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

IF30 534469 5225099 4/03/2019 12:43:00 PM 30 Internal farm site 1 - 1.5 OC + G7

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 Interpretation – general comments on spot dive locations

Table 3 below provides a list of seabed sediment characteristics and fauna observations from the 81 ROV spot dives undertaken at the control, compliance and internal lease sites.

Similar to previous baseline surveys undertaken by Huon Aquaculture in the Storm Bay area, all sites shared the common features of rippled relatively coarse sand with shell grit and shell debris. As noted below, the amount of shell debris and material varied between sites, and occasionally between triplicates. The faunal assemblage was generally depauperate, consisting predominately of Maoricolpus roseus (New Zealand screw shell), sycozoan stalks, heart urchins (test fragments), ribbon worms (many noted on occasion) and anemones (most likely from the family Edwardsiidae).

There were also occasional brittle stars and moderate densities of hermit crabs and other crustaceans spread across the survey area. Single/few Asterias amurensis (Northern Pacific seastars) were noted at a number of sites. At a small number of sites (i.e. 9.1, 14.1, 14.2, C1.3, IF1), higher densities of A. amurensis were observed. The locations where these higher A. amurensis densities were observed appeared randomly distributed across the survey area.

Occasional fish were sighted during the survey, including small benthic fish (most probably from the family Gobiidae), flathead, sea moths, flounder, gurnard and skates.

No handfish were observed during any of the ROV dives, including three and a half hours of footage in and around the lease itself, i.e., internal and compliance sites. There were a number of stalked ascidian (Sycozoa sp.) individuals identified at most sites, with the exception of the control sites. Although Storm Bay is not regarded as a key site for any listed handfish species, it should be noted that the combination of sands, depth and the presence of stalked ascidians would constitute potential handfish habitat (Recovery Plan for Three Handfish Species, Commonwealth of Australia 2015). Further targeted handfish surveys are planned for the lease area in consultation with DPIPWE’s Policy and Conservation Assessment Branch (PCAB), with the results to be included in a supplementary report.

Dead New Zealand screw shell Maoricolpus roseus appeared at most sites but were generally more numerous at the compliance sites along the eastern edge of the lease. No live specimens were observed during the survey, but many shells were inhabited by hermit crabs.

The only introduced species identified during the ROV survey were Maoricolpus roseus and Asterias amurensis. There were no threatened species identified during the survey.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Table 3 Description of each ROV dive performed at MF281 – Yellow Bluff. Video analysis and interpretation provided by Huon Aquaculture.

Site Comments Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, heart urchin (test fragments), ribbon worms, hermit crabs, anemones 1.1 (probable Edwardsiidae), many Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, heart urchin (test fragments), ribbon worms, hermit crabs, anemones 1.2 (anemones (probable Edwardsiidae)), Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris 1.3 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, unattached sponge, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, heart urchin (test fragments), ribbon worms, anemones (probable 2.1 Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, leather jacket, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), 2.2 Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, hermit crabs, cow fish, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), 2.3 Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, hermit crabs, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), 3.1 Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris 3.2 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worm, hermit crabs, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus 3.3 (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris 4.1 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Few Sycozoa, ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Few Sycozoa, ribbon worms, hermit crabs, hermit crabs, heart urchin (test fragments), 4.2 anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris 4.3 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, small seastar, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, many ribbon worms, small crabs, heart urchins (test fragments), stingaree, 5.1 anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, heart urchin (test fragments), stingaree, ribbon worms, unattached sponge, 5.2 anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment

Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, hermit crabs, ribbon worm, heart urchin (test fragments), anemones 5.3 (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris 6.1 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, ribbon worms, Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, ribbon worms, small crustaceans, heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus 6.2 (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris 6.3 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, flathead, many ribbon worms, heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Site Comments Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris 7.1 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, many ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), crab, Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), heart urchin (test fragments), 7.2 Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, many ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus 7.3 (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, Sycozoa, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), unattached tunicate, 8.1 Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, many ribbon worms, suspected long polychaete, anemones (probable 8.2 Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris 8.3 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), heart urchin (test 9.1 fragments), Maoricolpus (shells), many Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, small seastar, suspected crab, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), 9.2 Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris 9.3 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, small starfish, brittle star, heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, hermit crabs, sea moth, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), 10.1 Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), ribbon worms, heart urchin (test fragments), 10.2 Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, octopus, hermit crab, Sycozoa, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), 10.3 heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. A large number of various scattered shells and shell debris 11.1 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, hermit crabs, many Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. A large number of various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, sea moth, heart urchin (test fragments), many Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias 11.2 amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), heart urchin (test 11.3 fragments), Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris 12.1 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), brittle star, hermit crabs, 12.2 heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), brittle star, heart urchin 12.3 (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. A large number of various scattered shells and shell debris 13.1 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Ribbon worms, brittle star, many Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Site Comments Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. A large amount of various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Hermit crabs, stingaree, heart urchin (test fragments), many Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias 13.2 amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Brittle stars, hermit crabs, Sycozoa, ribbon worms, heart urchin (test fragments), 13.3 Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris 14.1 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Few Sycozoa, Maoricolpus (shells), many Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. A large number of various scattered shells and shell debris 14.2 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sea moth, brittle star, hermit crabs, heart urchin (test fragments), many Maoricolpus (shells). Many Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris 14.3 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Brittle stars, Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Flathead, hermit crabs, ribbon worms, heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells), C1.1 Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris C1.2 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. A large number of various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Hermit crabs, unattached ascidians, heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells), many C1.3 Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris C2.1 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Ribbon worms Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris C2.2 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Crab, hermit crab, heart urchin (test fragments) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris C2.3 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Ribbon worms, Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris C3.1 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Pelagic fish, gurnard, heart urchin (test fragments), many Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris C3.2 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Hermit crabs, seastar, many Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. A large number of various scattered shells and shell debris C3.3 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Hermit crabs, pelagic fish, many Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, seastar, crabs, heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells), many IF1 Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Hermit crabs, heart urchin (test fragments), stingaree, Sycozoa, ribbon worms, Maoricolpus IF2 (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, pelagic fish, skate, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus IF3 (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris IF4 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, brittle star, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), heart urchin (test IF5 fragments) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. A large number of various scattered shells and shell debris IF6 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Heart urchin (test fragments), ribbon worms, Sycozoa, hermit crabs, many Maoricolpus (shells)

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Site Comments Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, Sycozoa, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells), IF7 Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris IF8 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Hermit crabs, port jackson shark, heart urchin (test fragments), many Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris IF9 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Ribbon worms, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris IF10 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, Sycozoa, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. A large number of various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. heart urchin (test fragments), hermit crabs, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), unidentified IF11 soft bodied/colonial ascidian or egg sack, many Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, flathead, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells), IF12 Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Ribbon worms, heart urchin (test fragments), anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), IF13 Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Ribbon worms, hermit crabs, seastar, Sycozoa, scallop, Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias IF14 amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. A large number of various scattered shells and shell debris IF15 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Hermit crabs, Sycozoa, brittle star, many Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris IF16 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Hermit crab, Sycozoa, small benthic fish, many Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, heart urchin (test fragments), Sycozoa, anemones (probable IF17 Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Hermit crab, ribbon worms, gurnard, anemones (probable Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus IF18 (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, ribbon worms, gurnard, heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells), Asterias IF19 amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Many ribbon worms, heart urchin (test fragments) seastar, hermit crabs, Sycozoa, IF20 Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps and occasional darkened amorphous deposits. Various scattered shells and shell debris IF21 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, ribbon worms, heart urchin (test fragments), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris IF22 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Sycozoa, hert urchin (test fragments), gurnard, ribbon worms, Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris IF23 Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Ribbon worms, heart urchin (test fragments), seastar, Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. many ribbon worms, heart urchin (test fragments), flounder, Sycozoa, anemones (probable IF24 Edwardsiidae), Maoricolpus (shells) Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment Seabed = Uniform across most sites. Rippled sand with small aggregated lumps. Various scattered shells and shell debris Fauna = Consistent with most sites, depauperate. Heart urchin (test fragments), many Sycozoa, ribbon worms, crab, gurnard, Maoricolpus IF25 (shells), Asterias amurensis Flora = Consistent with all sites. Some drift algae and fine algae on shells and sediment

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 8 Sediment Chemistry

8.1 Visual Assessment

Methods

A Craib corer was used to collect 50 mm diameter sediment cores in transparent Perspex tubes. These were handled carefully and retained in a vertical orientation to minimise disturbance of the sediment surface until they were described and redox and sulphide readings taken. The cores were described in terms of length, colour (using a Munsell soil chart), plant and animal life, gas vesicles, and smell. Odour from hydrogen sulphide gas, if present, was noted after the water was removed from the core barrels.

Results

Descriptions of the sediment cores are tabulated in Table 4.

Visual assessment showed that sediments were broadly comparable across sampling sites. Sediments were typically olive or greyish brown in colour, with coarse sand the most common sediment type. There were some instances where variation in sediment characteristics was evident, with a relatively small number of cores showing a higher proportion of very coarse shells and shell fragments (e.g. sites 11.1, 13.2, C3.2, C3.3, IF3, IF8, IF29, IF30).

Note that as described in the visual surveys (section 7.2 above) in some cases apparent differences in sediment characteristics were evident between replicate sites 20 m apart (see Appendix 3, see samples 11.1-11.3). Differences in core descriptions are likely to be attributable to the rippled nature of the seabed, with more shells debris likely in the seabed depressions. Such small scale habitat variability would lead to differences in core characteristics depending on whether the core sample was taken in a depression or a more elevated section of seafloor.

Sediment characteristics from the compliance, internal and control sites showed only minor variation, indicative of similar environmental conditions across the survey area. The exception was control site C1 where surface sediments were slightly darker in colouration compared to the remaining core samples. Animals or evidence of their presence (i.e. polychaetes, gastropods, amphipods, hermit crabs, burrows) were observed in most sediment cores.

The sandy and coarse nature of the sediments at most sites indicates that wave action regularly influences the seabed sediments and the rate of deposition of finer sediment fractions is low. Dark patches were evident in the deeper layers of cores at some sites (e.g. sites 1.1, 3.2, 3.3, 6.3, 12.1, C2.1, IF15, IF21). Dark patches were typically below 20 mm sediment depth, indicative of anoxic patches in deeper sections of core samples. Such a pattern is not considered evidence of organic enrichment, and is relatively common in circumstances where sandy, well compacted sediments are present. Instances of darker colouration showed no spatial pattern and appeared randomly distributed across the survey sites.

Images of sediment cores are included in Appendix 3.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Table 4 Visual description of sediment cores at MF281 – Yellow Bluff. Length Colour 1 (Munsell Depth 1 Colour 2 (Munsell Depth 2 Site Sediment 1 Sediment 2 Plants Animals Gas Smell (mm) score) (mm) score) (mm) coarse sand, black streaks urchin on surface, burrows 0-45 1.1 140 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown coarse sand 20 2.5Y/3/1 very dark grey 140 Nil Nil Nil throughout mm and 90-120 mm 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish 1.2 180 coarse sand 180 Nil burrows 0-30 mm Nil Nil brown coarse sand with coarse shell 1.3 180 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 180 Nil burrows 0-15 mm Nil Nil grit, dark streak 45-75 mm 2.1 140 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown coarse sand with shell grit 140 Nil burrows 0-30 mm Nil Nil

coarse sand with coarse shell 2.2 180 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 180 Nil Nil Nil Nil grit 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish 2.3 175 coarse sand with shell grit 175 Nil polychaete on surface Nil Nil brown 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish coarse sand with sparse shell 3.1 155 155 Nil Nil Nil Nil brown grit coarse sand with sparse shell coarse sand, black 3.2 100 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 35 2.5Y/3/1 very dark grey 100 Nil polychaete 80-85 mm Nil Nil grit patches throughout

coarse sand with sparse shell 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish grit, patches of 2.5Y/3/1 (very 3.3 175 175 Nil Nil Nil Nil brown dark grey) throughout, black spots 0-35 mm burrows 0-8 mm, amphipod on 4.1 140 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown coarse sand with shell grit 140 Nil Nil Nil surface coarse sand with sparse coarse 4.2 185 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 185 Nil burrows 0-15 mm Nil Nil shell grit coarse sand with sparse coarse 4.3 170 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 170 Nil burrows 0-55 mm Nil Nil shell grit coarse sand and coarse shell 5.1 175 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 175 Nil Nil Nil Nil grit coarse sand and coarse shell 5.2 160 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 160 Nil Nil Nil Nil grit coarse sand and coarse shell 5.3 175 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown grit with sparse very coarse 175 Nil Nil Nil Nil

shell grit coarse sand with sparse shell 6.1 140 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 140 Nil Nil Nil Nil grit

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Length Colour 1 (Munsell Depth 1 Colour 2 (Munsell Depth 2 Site Sediment 1 Sediment 2 Plants Animals Gas Smell (mm) score) (mm) score) (mm) burrows 20-40 mm, gastropod 6.2 170 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown coarse sand with shell grit 170 Nil Nil Nil on surface coarse sand with shell grit, 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish patches of 2.5Y/3/1 (very dark 6.3 180 180 Nil burrows 10-75 mm Nil Nil brown grey) 60-180 mm, streaks of black throughout 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish coarse sand with coarse shell 7.1 160 160 Nil burrows 0-55 mm Nil Nil brown grit 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish 7.2 145 coarse sand with shell grit 145 Nil Nil Nil Nil brown 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish 7.3 170 coarse sand with shell grit 170 Nil Nil Nil Nil brown coarse sand with sparse shell 8.1 170 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 170 Nil Nil Nil Nil grit coarse sand with shell grit, 8.2 120 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 120 Nil burrows 0-30 mm Nil Nil patchy fine sand coarse sand with shell grit, 8.3 125 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 125 Nil burrows 0-10 mm Nil Nil patchy fine sand 2.5Y4/2 dark greyish 9.1 170 fine sand/silt 5 2.5Y4/3 olive brown coarse sand 170 Nil burrows 15-40 mm Nil Nil brown 9.2 135 2.5Y4/3 olive brown coarse sand 135 Nil burrows to 30 mm Nil Nil

coarse sand, dark streaks 9.3 130 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 130 Nil Nil Nil throughout coarse sand with coarse shell 10.1 150 10YR4/3 brown 150 Nil Nil Nil grit 10.2 180 10YR4/3 brown coarse sand with shell grit 180 Nil polychaete, burrows at 20 mm Nil Nil

coarse sand with sparse shell 10.3 100 10YR4/3 brown 100 Nil Nil Nil grit 10YR4/2dark greyish 11.1 140 fine sand/silt 5 10YR4/3 brown very coarse shell grit 140 Nil amphipods on surface Nil Nil brown coarse sand with coarse shell 11.2 170 10YR4/3 brown 170 Nil burrows to 25 mm Nil Nil grit coarse sand with coarse shell 11.3 170 10YR4/3 brown 170 Nil Nil Nil grit coarse sand with sparse shell 12.1 160 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 160 Nil Nil Nil grit, dark streak 145-155 mm 32

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Length Colour 1 (Munsell Depth 1 Colour 2 (Munsell Depth 2 Site Sediment 1 Sediment 2 Plants Animals Gas Smell (mm) score) (mm) score) (mm) coarse sand with sparse shell 12.2 195 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 195 Nil Nil Nil grit coarse sand with sparse shell 12.3 150 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 150 Nil Nil Nil grit coarse sand with sparse shell 13.1 150 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 150 Nil Nil Nil grit very coarse shell grit with 13.2 160 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 160 Nil hermit crab on surface Nil Nil coarse sand coarse shell grit with coarse 13.3 155 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 155 Nil Nil Nil sand 2.5Y4/2 dark greyish coarse sand, dark streaks 65- 14.1 130 130 Nil Nil Nil brown 130 mm 2.5Y4/2 dark greyish hermit crab and bivalve mollusc 14.2 145 coarse sand 60 2.5Y3/1 very dark grey coarse sand 145 Nil Nil Nil brown on surface 2.5Y4/2 dark greyish coarse sand with sparse very 14.3 140 140 Nil polychaete on surface Nil Nil brown coarse shell grit 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish coarse shell grit with sparse C1.1 145 145 Nil Nil Nil Nil brown coarse sand 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish coarse shell grit with sparse C1.2 165 165 Nil hermit crab on surface Nil Nil brown sand 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish coarse shell grit with sparse C1.3 155 155 Nil Nil Nil Nil brown sand coarse sand, dark streaks 20- 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish C2.1 170 170 mm, sparse very coarse 170 Nil hermit crab on surface Nil Nil brown shell pieces 155-175 mm coarse sand with coarse shell C2.2 160 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 160 Nil Nil Nil Nil grit coarse sand with coarse shell C2.3 150 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 150 Nil Nil Nil Nil grit 10YR/4/4 dark yellowish coarse shell grit with coarse C3.1 140 140 Nil hermit crab on surface Nil Nil brown sand 10YR/4/4 dark yellowish very coarse shell grit with C3.2 115 115 Nil Nil Nil Nil brown sparse coarse sand 10YR/4/4 dark yellowish very coarse shell grit with C3.3 190 190 Nil Nil Nil Nil brown sparse coarse sand 33

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Length Colour 1 (Munsell Depth 1 Colour 2 (Munsell Depth 2 Site Sediment 1 Sediment 2 Plants Animals Gas Smell (mm) score) (mm) score) (mm) coarse sand with sparse shell IF1 140 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 140 Nil Nil Nil grit coarse sand with sparse shell IF2 160 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 160 Nil Nil Nil grit IF3 100 2.5Y4/3 olive brown very coarse shell grit 100 Nil polychaete, burrows to 40 mm Nil Nil

2.5Y4/2 dark greyish IF4 145 coarse sand 145 Nil hermit crab on surface Nil Nil brown 2.5Y4/2 dark greyish IF5 155 coarse sand 155 Nil Nil Nil brown 2.5Y4/2 dark greyish amphipods on surface, burrows IF6 115 coarse sand 50 2.5Y2.5/1 black fine sand/silt 115 Nil Nil Nil brown to 10 mm IF7 170 2.5Y4/3 olive brown coarse sand with shell grit 170 Nil polychaete burrows to 25 mm Nil Nil

2.5Y4/2 dark greyish very coarse shell grit with IF8 135 fine silt/sand 5 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 135 Nil bivalve mollusc on surface Nil Nil brown coarse sand coarse sand with sparse shell IF9 165 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 165 Nil Nil Nil grit 2.5Y4/2 dark greyish IF10 170 coarse sand 170 Nil Nil Nil brown 2.5Y4/2 dark greyish coarse sand with sparse very IF11 170 170 Nil Nil Nil brown coarse shell grit coarse sand with shell grit, dark red algae on IF12 120 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 120 Nil Nil streak 110-120 mm surface IF13 150 2.5Y4/3 olive brown coarse sand with shell grit 150 Nil burrow 0-20 mm Nil Nil

IF14 110 2.5Y4/3 olive brown coarse sand with shell grit 110 Nil burrow 0-15 mm Nil Nil

2.5Y4/2 dark greyish brown (10-40 mm) coarse sand with sparse IF15 160 2.5Y3/1 very dark grey fine sand/silt 10 2.5Y3/1 very dark grey coarse shell grit, black 160 Nil hermit crab on surface Nil Nil (40-160 mm) streaks 40-160 mm

coarse sand, dark streak 15-45 IF16 175 2.5Y4/3 olive brown 175 Nil Nil Nil mm coarse sand with sparse shell polychaete on surface, burrow IF17 160 10YR4/3 brown 160 Nil Nil Nil grit 0-15 mm coarse sand with sparse coarse IF18 100 10YR4/3 brown 100 Nil Nil Nil shell grit

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Length Colour 1 (Munsell Depth 1 Colour 2 (Munsell Depth 2 Site Sediment 1 Sediment 2 Plants Animals Gas Smell (mm) score) (mm) score) (mm) IF19 100 10YR4/3 brown coarse sand with shell grit 100 Nil Nil Nil

2.5Y4/2 dark greyish coarse sand with sparse shell IF20 95 95 Nil burrow 0-10 mm Nil Nil brown grit coarse sand with sparse shell 2.5Y4/2 dark greyish IF21 100 grit, dark patches/streaks 30- 100 Nil Nil Nil brown 100 mm IF22 150 2.5Y4/3 olive brown coarse shell grit 150 Nil Nil Nil

IF23 190 2.5Y4/3 olive brown coarse sand with shell grit 190 Nil Nil Nil

ghost shrimp, burrows to 45 IF24 100 2.5Y4/3 olive brown coarse sand with shell grit 100 Nil Nil Nil mm coarse sand with coarse shell IF25 145 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 145 Nil burrows 0-35 mm Nil Nil grit coarse sand with shell grit, polychaete 5-15 mm, burrows IF26 100 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 100 Nil Nil Nil black streak 85-100 mm 0-20 mm

coarse sand with shell grit, polychaete and burrow 0-15 IF27 155 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown patchy 2.5Y/3/1 (very dark 155 Nil Nil Nil mm grey) 0-155 mm 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish coarse sand with sparse shell IF28 140 140 Nil Nil Nil Nil brown grit coarse sand with very 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish coarse shell grit, very burrows 0-80 mm, amphipod IF29 155 fine sand/silt 5 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown 155 Nil Nil Nil brown coarse shell pieces 70-155 on surface mm

very coarse shell grit and red algae 25- 2.5Y/4/2 dark greyish polychaete on surface, burrows IF30 100 fine sand/silt 10 2.5Y/4/3 olive brown shell pieces with sparse 100 100 mm Nil Nil brown 0-15 mm coarse sand (drift algae)

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

8.2 Redox Potential

Methods

Redox potential was measured in millivolts at 30 mm below the sediment surface using a WTW pH 320 meter with a Mettler Toledo Ag/AgCl combination pH/Redox probe. Calibration and functionality of the meter were checked before each test using a Redox Buffer Solution (248 mV at 10 °C). Measurements were made within 3 hours of the samples being collected. Corrected Redox potential values were calculated by adding the standard potential of the reference cell to the measured redox potential and are reported in millivolts.

Results Sediment redox values at 30 mm sediment depth averaged 325 mV (Figure 5). There was no strong pattern of redox potential in relation to compliance, control or internal farm sites (Figure 5). The observed relatively high redox values at all sites are indicative of well oxygenated sediments (Macleod and Forbes 2004). Raw data is presented in Appendix 4.

Figure 5 Redox potential at 30 mm depth in sediment cores. Bars represent mean redox potential (± SE error) across replicate cores (n=3 for compliance and control sites; n=30 for internal IF sites)

8.3 Sulphide Analysis

Methods

Sediment sulphide was measured in accordance with the protocols outlined in Macleod and Forbes (2004). Measurements were made using a TPS uniPROBE Sulphide ISE and a WTW pH 320 meter. Using a modified syringe, 2 mL of sediment was removed at 30 mm depth from the core and mixed with 2 mL of reagent (sulphide anti-oxidant buffer, SAOB) in a small beaker. The sediment/SAOB mixture was carefully stirred with the probe for 15-20 seconds, until the reading stabilised. The accuracy and functionality of the meter and probe was assessed prior to analysis commencing, using standards of known concentration. A calibration curve was produced using three standards of known concentration.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Results The observed sulphide concentrations were generally very low at most sites, averaging 1.58 µM across all sites (Figure 6). No sites exceeded concentrations typical of organically enriched sediments (i.e. > 100 µM; Macleod and Forbes 2004). Sulphide concentrations were near zero or below detection at most sites, although slightly higher concentrations were measured at a small number of some sites (e.g. site 14.1, 26.1 µM; IF15, 35.0 µM). These patterns were also consistent with visual assessment results showing darker anoxic patches that were evident in some cores. As noted in section 8.1, such patterns occur naturally when compacted hard sands are present. Raw data from sulphide analysis is included in Appendix 5.

Figure 6 Sulphide concentrations in sediment core samples. Bars represent mean sulphide concentration (± SE error) across replicate cores (n=3 for compliance and control sites; n=30 for internal IF sites).

8.4 Particle Size Analysis

Methods

The top 100 mm of each sediment core was homogenised and 73-74 ml of sediment sub-sampled for particle size determination.

Results Sediments were typically dominated by the ‘medium sand’ (0.25 mm; average 46% v/v across all sites) and ‘fine sand’ (0.125 mm; average 27% v/v across all sites) particle size fractions. Overall, the sediments contained a relatively low proportion of fine clay and silt fractions (i.e. < 0.063 mm; average 2.5%v/v across all sites). Relatively high contributions of much coarser material was evident in some samples, attributable to broken mollusc shells that were evident in some cores (e.g. 11.1, 13.2, C3.2, C3.3, IF3, IF8).

Patterns of particle size distribution were indicative of a sedimentary environment with moderate- high agitation of seabed sediments and associated low abundance of fine silt and clay fractions. 37

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 These patterns are considered typical of sediments in deep (i.e. >20 m) and exposed locations in Storm Bay. Detailed results are presented in Figure 7, while raw data is included in Appendix 6.

Figure 7 Particle size analyses of the top 100 mm of sediment. Lines represent mean percentage cumulative volume for size fractions at each site, based on pooled replicates for compliance (n=3), control (n=3) and internal farm (n=30) sites.

8.5 Organic Content

Methods

A single undisturbed sediment core sample was taken at each site using a perspex core with an internal diameter of 50 mm for the purposes of organic content analysis. The top 3 cm of each was oven dried at 60 °C prior to analysis of total organic carbon. Total organic carbon was measured by loss on ignition (450 °C in a muffle furnace for 4 hours) by AST.

Results

Results from the organic content analysis are presented in Figure 8. The organic content was low, ranging from 1.0% to 3.3%, with an average of 1.4% across all sites. These results are expected given the sandy sediments that typified sample locations. Organic content levels were generally consistent between sampling sites.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Figure 8 Organic content in sediment core samples. Bars represent mean organic content (± SE error) across replicate cores (n=3 for compliance and control sites; n=30 for internal IF sites).

8.6 Heavy Metal Analysis

Methods

Sediment cores of 50 mm diameter were collected and the top 3 cm of each core was transferred to a clean glass jar for metal analysis. Heavy metals analysed in sediment samples included: arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc. The analyses were conducted by AST using the test methods specified in the following Australian Standards:

2301-Soil: Metals in Soil, Sediment and Dust by ICPAES

Results Results from the heavy metal analysis are summarised in Table 5 (see Appendix 7 for raw data). For most analytes, heavy metal concentrations were low and below the ANZECC Interim Sediment Quality Guideline (ISQG) trigger values.

The average concentration of Arsenic (As) across the survey (19.6 mg/kg) was just below the ANZECC ISQG ‘low’ trigger values (i.e. 20 mg/kg), however, slight exceedances of this value were relatively common across all sample sites. Considerably higher concentrations were observed at IF24 (56 mg/kg) and from samples at C1.2 (77 mg/kg) and C1.3 (86 mg/kg). The latter two samples exceeded the ANZECC ISQG ‘high’ trigger values for Arsenic (i.e. 70 mg/kg).

While there are no ANZECC guidelines for Manganese (Mn), relatively high values were also observed at the same sites where Arsenic levels were relatively high. For example, Manganese concentration was 273 mg/kg at site IF24, 402 mg/kg at C1.2 and 348 mg/kg at C1.3. Across the remaining 78 samples, Manganese concentration was considerably lower and averaged 65 mg/kg.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 The relatively high Arsenic and Manganese concentrations measured in a small number of samples are considered anomalous. Potential reasons for these concentrations remain speculative, however, it is most likely due to an anthropogenic disturbance of the sediment.

Aside from control site C1 and internal site IF24 there was only minor variation between control, compliance and internal farm sites for those heavy metals analysed. Overall, the heavy metal concentrations were generally comparable to those recorded previously from sediment sampling in the Trumpeter Bay region (e.g. Aquenal 2014, Aquenal 2015, Aquenal 2019).

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Table 5 Summary of heavy metal analysis of sediment samples and comparison with the ANZECC 2000 trigger values. Results represent mean concentrations (± SE error) across replicate cores (n=3 for compliance and control sites; n=30 for internal IF sites). Exceedance of ANZECC 2000 trigger values, based on average metal concentrations, are highlighted in yellow Raw data is provided in Appendix 7. Metal (mg/kg DMB) Site As Cd Co Cr Cu Mn Ni Pb Zn 1 14.3 <0.5 1.7 11.3 1.5 57.7 2.7 14.3 24.7 2 17.0 <0.5 1.3 10.7 <1 57.0 2.0 12.0 20.3 3 9.7 <0.5 1.0 9.0 1 45.0 2.0 8.7 15.0 4 13.3 <0.5 1.0 9.7 <1 49.7 2.0 11.7 17.7 5 18.7 <0.5 2.0 10.0 <1 60.7 2.0 13.0 20.3 6 17.3 <0.5 1.7 10.7 <1 55.0 2.0 16.0 23.3 7 22.0 <0.5 2.0 11.0 <1 51.0 2.0 15.3 23.3 8 20.0 <0.5 2.0 11.0 <1 85.3 2.0 13.7 20.7 9 14.0 <0.5 2.0 12.7 1.7 64.7 3.3 17.3 32.0 10 23.3 <0.5 2.0 11.3 <1 71.0 2.7 12.7 24.0 11 24.7 <0.5 2.0 11.7 1.0 79.7 2.7 12.7 25.7 12 15.3 <0.5 1.0 10.0 <1 63.7 2.0 12.0 19.3 13 21.3 <0.5 1.7 9.0 1.0 66.3 2.3 11.7 22.0 14 15.3 <0.5 1.7 11.7 2.0 94.3 3.0 18.3 31.7 IF 18.5 <0.5 1.5 10.7 1.6 72.0 2.4 14.1 23.9 C1 61.0 <0.5 3.7 17.3 2.0 275.7 5.0 22.7 45.3 C2 14.3 <0.5 2.0 8.0 1.0 70.7 2.3 12.0 15.7 C3 23.0 <0.5 2.0 7.3 1.0 67.0 2.0 12.7 23.3 ANZECC 2000 ISQG- 20 2 80 65 21 50 200 Low (trigger value) ANZECC 2000 ISQG- 70 10 370 270 52 220 410 High (trigger value)

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 9 Gazameda gunnii survey

Methods A total of 40 sites were sampled for the targeted Gazameda gunnii survey. These sample numbers were in accordance with G. gunnii survey specifications in the EPA Schedule of Requirements for Salmonid Finfish Baseline Environmental Survey. Samples were sorted through a 4 mm sieve. Dead shells were retained and examined by a taxonomic expert (J. Lane).

Results and interpretation Results from the survey are presented in Figure 9. No live shells were detected during the targeted G. gunnii survey. Nine individual dead shells/shell fragments of G. gunnii were collected and retained from seven sites (Figure 10). The shells were mostly small (<30 mm) and were generally scattered across the survey area (Figure 9). During other benthic sampling activities undertaken as part of the baseline survey, the presence of G. gunnii was also noted and it was detected from benthic samples (see section 10 below). These additional observations are summarised in Table 6 below.

Figure 9 Location of grab samples taken during Gazameda gunnii survey for MF281 – Yellow Bluff, highlighting the sample sites where dead shells were collected (1, 9, 23, 26, 31, 38 and 40).

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Figure 10 Photograph of dead G. gunnii shells collected during the targeted survey of MF281-Yellow Bluff.

Table 6 Summary of Gazameda gunnii observations Site Method Gazameda gunnii details G1, G9, G23, G26, G31, Targeted Gazameda survey Dead shells G38, G40 Compliance 1.1 Benthic fauna grab 1 dead shell Compliance 1.2 Benthic fauna grab 1 dead shell Compliance 2.3 Benthic fauna grab 1 live G. gunnii Compliance 6.3 Benthic fauna grab 1 live G. gunnii Compliance 8.2 Benthic fauna grab 1 live G. gunnii Compliance 11.2 Benthic fauna grab 1 dead shell Compliance 13.3 Benthic fauna grab 1 dead shell Internal farm IF6 Benthic fauna grab 1 live G. gunnii, 1 dead shell Control C1.3 Benthic fauna grab 1 dead shell

The risk to Gazameda gunnii populations from the proposed development is considered to be negligible. Potential impacts to G. gunnii individuals inhabiting the proposed zone relate to installation of mooring infrastructure and organic enrichment of the benthos inside the lease area. However, such interactions are considered very unlikely due to the extremely low density of G. gunnii in the area. Furthermore, recent studies investigating the distribution of benthic molluscs have also found the species is more wide-spread than previously determined (Grove and Little 2014). Dredge surveys conducted across south east Tasmania concluded that G. gunnii ‘was by no means rare being recorded from almost half of all samples, generally as live individuals (Grove & Little, 2014).’ Overall, based on the extremely low densities in the zone area and widespread distribution of G. gunnii, the development poses a negligible threat to G. gunnii populations.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 10 Benthic Fauna Analysis

Methods

Benthic infauna were collected using a Van Veen grab which sampled a 0.07 m2 area of seabed. A single grab sample was collected at each of the compliance and control sites, with a total of 81 grabs collected. Grab samples were sieved in the field using 1 mm mesh sieve bags, with animal and sediment material retained in the mesh bags placed in 5-10% buffered formalin for preservation. The preserved material was returned to the laboratory for sorting and identification of infauna species under a dissecting microscope.

Macrofaunal data from triplicate grabs were analysed using multidimensional scaling (MDS) in the PRIMER software package (Clarke & Gorley 2001). This analysis produces the best graphical depiction of faunal similarities between samples. For MDS analyses, the data matrix showing total abundance of species in each sample was fourth root-transformed and then converted to a symmetric matrix of biotic similarity between pairs of samples using the Bray-Curtis similarity index. These procedures follow the recommendations of Faith et al. (1987) and Clarke (1993) for data matrices with numerous zero records. The usefulness of the two dimensional MDS display of relationships between samples is indicated by the stress statistic, which, if <0.1 indicates that the depiction of relationships is good, and if >0.2 that the depiction is poor (Clarke, 1993). Triplicate grabs were also aggregated for each site and analysed for faunal dominance with K-Dominance Curves using the PRIMER software package (Clarke & Gorley 2001).

Results and interpretation Abundance and patterns of family richness are summarised in Table 7 below (see Appendix 8 for raw data). The area possessed high faunal diversity, with a total of 13,745 individuals from 155 families identified across the 81 samples. Faunal communities were dominated by crustaceans, accounting for 65.0% of individuals and 37.4 % of families identified. The remaining fauna was mainly comprised of molluscs (16.1% of individuals and 28.4 % of families), polychaetes (14.4% of individuals and 20.6 % of families) and echinoderms (0.8% of individuals and 5.2 % of families). Other fauna, including anthozoans, ascidians, chordates, nemerteans, nematodes, oligochaetes, phoronids, platyhelminths and sipunculids, were recorded in relatively low numbers. The most common families recorded across all samples included Photidae (amphipod, 9.2% of individuals), Maeridae (amphipod, 6.4% of individuals), Philomedidae (ostracod, 5.9% of individuals), Galeommatidae (bivalve mollusc, 4.8% of individuals) and Veneridae (bivalve mollusc, 4.5% of individuals).

Low numbers of introduced species were observed during the survey. Four introduced taxa were recorded, including the American spider crab Pyromaia tuberculata (26 individuals), the bivalve Varicorbula gibba (8 individuals), the caprellid Caprella acanthogaster (6 individuals) and the New Zealand screw shell Maoricolpus roseus (1 individual).

The capitellids Mediomastus sp. (87 individuals), Heteromastus sp (35 individuals) and Notomastus sp. (2 individuals) were recorded in low densities across the survey area. These polychaetes are commonly encountered in south-east Tasmania and are not regarded as a pollution indicator species.

The MDS analysis showed minor variation between sites (Figure 11), with all compliance, control and internal farm sites grouping at the 40% similarity level (based on cluster analysis). At the 50% 44

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 similarity level some minor separation of sites was evident. Sites C3, IF3, IF8, IF11 and IF29 separated from the main group of sites. This grouping of sites included those where a high degree of coarse shell fragments were evident (sections 8.1 and 8.4 above) and tended to be dominated by isopods from the family Sphaeromatide and tanaids from the family Apseudidae. Site IF5 and IF27 also formed a separate grouping. At these sites, abundance was very low compared to remaining sites. Such a pattern is not unusual for individual grab samples due to inherent sampling and biological variability. As described in section 9 above, four live Gazameda gunnii individuals were recorded from the benthic fauna samples (sites 2.3, 6.3, 8.2 and IF6).

Dominance patterns as described by K-dominance plots are shown in Figure 12. Single taxa dominance patterns were very low across all control and compliance sites, ranging from 9.6 – 41.8 %, with an overall average of 17.1%. These values fall within ranges expected for unimpacted ecosystems, with relatively diverse communities and low levels of dominance by a single family (see Figure 12).

Based on the benthic faunal patterns present, any future benthic impacts should be readily observable. Indicators of organic enrichment would be expected to include an increase in dominance patterns and decline in taxonomic diversity. Such patterns would be readily discernible, given the high taxonomic diversity evident in the baseline survey.

Figure 11 Results of MDS analysis using benthic infauna data collected from benthic grabs for MF281 – Yellow Bluff. Compliance and control symbols represent pooled data across three replicate grabs, internal farm site symbols describe single samples taken at each site. Ellipses indicate community similarity (%) based on cluster analysis.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Table 7 Summary of benthic faunal analysis. The category ‘other’ included anthozoans, ascidians, chordates, nemerteans, nematodes, oligochaetes, phoronids, platyhelminths and sipunculids. Abundance Diversity (Family level)

Site

etes

Crustaceans Molluscs Polychaetes Echinoderms Other Total Abundance Abundance per sample Crustaceans Molluscs Polycha Echinoderms Other Total species Diversity sample per 1 301 201 159 2 20 683 227.7 32 13 14 1 5 65 44.7 2 305 102 86 3 43 539 179.7 34 12 13 3 5 67 44.0 3 277 102 50 2 17 448 149.3 29 13 11 2 4 59 35.3 4 308 45 51 0 9 413 137.7 30 10 11 0 3 54 33.7 5 221 47 71 7 19 365 121.7 31 9 14 3 5 62 38.3 6 281 53 41 7 7 389 129.7 31 12 9 3 3 58 34.7 7 423 207 49 9 9 697 232.3 32 15 12 3 3 65 43.0 8 322 117 48 5 12 504 168.0 32 11 12 2 5 62 39.3 9 268 136 56 3 9 472 157.3 32 10 10 2 3 57 32.7 10 214 40 27 5 3 289 96.3 25 9 9 2 2 47 27.3 11 256 65 106 2 33 462 154.0 33 7 14 2 4 60 39.0 12 248 37 48 1 14 348 116.0 29 11 14 1 5 60 39.0 13 262 95 84 1 45 487 162.3 28 11 16 1 4 60 40.3 14 70 40 76 4 18 208 69.3 22 12 16 1 7 58 30.7 IF 3155 781 775 38 160 4909 163.6 48 35 30 6 8 127 39.1 C1 524 24 80 3 35 666 222.0 31 12 20 2 3 68 43.3 C2 146 27 63 7 15 258 86.0 29 10 9 3 4 55 30.3 C3 1352 93 111 12 40 1608 536.0 31 12 13 3 8 67 40.0 Total 8933 2212 1981 111 508 13745 169.7 58 44 32 8 13 155 38.0 % 65.0 16.1 14.4 0.8 3.7 100 37.4 28.4 20.6 5.2 8.4 100

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

100 1 2 3 4 80 5 6 7

% 8

c 9

a 60

n 10

m 11

D 12

v 13

a l 40 14

m IF u C1

C C2 C3 20

0 1 10 100 1000 Species rank Figure 12 Benthic faunal analysis of seabed samples at MF281 – Yellow Bluff. K – dominance curves. Analysis based on pooled data for compliance (n=3), control (n=3) and internal farm (n=30) sites.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 11 Inshore reef surveys

Methods The Marine Protected Area (MPA) or ‘Edgar-Barrett’ methodology has been widely used for reef surveys in southern Australia and allows standardised collection of data for the repeated census of a set of sites within locations. The survey method involves 2 x 100 m transects, divided into 50 m blocks. Each pair of 100 m transects was separated by a distance of 20 m. The survey method utilises three census techniques to record descriptive information on reef biodiversity along the transect at different spatial scales:

(i) Fish abundance and size is surveyed in 5 m wide blocks, either side of the transect line by a diver swimming parallel to the transect line

(ii) Mobile invertebrates and cryptic fish are surveyed in a 1 m block by a diver swimming adjacent to the transect line

(iii) The abundance of macroalgal species and sessile invertebrates is recorded by placing 0.25 m2 quadrats at 10 m intervals along the transect line (i.e. 5 quadrats each 50 m transect) and quantifying the percentage cover of these species. The quadrat is divided into a grid of 7 x 7 perpendicular wires, giving 50 points (including one corner). Cover is estimated by counting the number of times each species occurs directly under the 50 points on the quadrat (1.25 m2 for each of the 50 m sections of transect line).

Six reefs were surveyed using the Edgar-Barrett methodology. The locations are illustrated in Figure 1. Inshore reef surveys were conducted by scientists from the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Science (IMAS). Data summaries form the surveys were provided by IMAS for inclusion in this baseline survey report.

Results and interpretation

General reef structure

IR1: Moderate profile reef interspersed with several large bommies.

IR2: Low/Moderate profile reef characterised by small boulders (<1 m). Reef tapered into sand at approximately 6-7 m depth.

IR3: Low profile reef with several larger boulders (1-2 m) along the transect line. Marked exposure gradient across 200 m of survey area, with western part of survey area tapering onto sand at 5-6 m.

IR4: Low/Moderate profile reef with exposure gradient evident across the 200 m of survey area.

IR5: Moderate profile reef with patches of moderate to large (0.5-1 m) boulders and stepped structures along some sections of the transect.

IR6: Moderate profile reef regularly interspersed with large bommies.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Macroalgae

Overall, canopy-forming macroalgae was dominant at each site, with over 80% cover recorded at IR1, IR2, IR3, IR5 and IR6 (Table 8). While canopy-forming macroalgae was still dominant at IR4, mean cover was much lower compared to other sites (53%). Reef at this site was generally patchier, with the portion of the transect subject to lower wave exposure also recording a higher proportion of sand. The relative abundance of canopy-forming algae species was variable between sites and a reflection of the exposure gradient on the northern end of North Bruny Island. IR1, IR2 and IR3 were subject to lower wave exposure and dominated by Ecklonia radiata (48.8%, 56.2% & 43.0% respectively), whereas at IR5 and IR6 the dominant canopy species was Phyllospora comosa (69.5% and 66.3% respectively).

Patterns in understorey and encrusting algae broadly reflected the dominant canopy species, typical of SE Tasmania. Where Ecklonia radiata was dominant (IR1, IR2, IR3, IR4), the % cover of smaller canopy forming species such as Sargassum and Acrocarpia paniculata was generally higher, along with understory brown species Carpoglossum confluens, Halopteris paniculata and Perithalia caudata and understorey red species Pollexfenia lobata and Echinothamnion hysterix. Where Phyllospora comosa was the dominant canopy forming species (IR5, IR6), the cover of the sub-canopy was lower and there were generally higher values recorded for encrusting algae, turfing algae or invertebrates.

Overall patterns of diversity were broadly comparable across all functional groups at all six sites, although IR2 and IR6 had a slightly lower number of species recorded (30 and 32 species respectively), largely due to lower diversity in the understorey red algae recorded at these sites.

Table 8 Summary of macroalgal survey results. Data represent mean % cover across 20 replicate 0.25 m2 quadrats per site. The column FG% represents the total % cover for each functional group. Functional Species IR1 FG% IR2 FG% IR3 FG% IR4 FG% IR5 FG% IR6 FG% Group Acrocarpia paniculata 8.3 13.3 11.5 17.6 0.4 1.1 Cystophora moniliformis 1.6 1.6 0 1.8 1.5 0 Cystophora platylobium 6.5 0 1.4 0 0 0 Cystophora retroflexa 0 0 0 0.2 0 0 Durvillaea potatorum 0 0 0 0 0 3 Canopy-forming Ecklonia radiata 48.8 56.2 43 28.2 9.3 9.2 86.4 84.8 81.8 53 88.5 83 algae Lessonia corrugata 16.8 1.8 21.7 0 0 1.5 Phyllospora comosa 0 0 0 0 69.5 66.3 Sargassum fallax 0 1.7 0 0.4 0 0 Sargassum spp. 1.7 2.8 0.4 1.7 3 0 Sargassum verruculosum 0 3.3 0.5 0.4 0.7 0 Sargassum vestitum 2.7 4.1 3.3 2.7 4.1 1.9 Carpoglossum confluens 12.9 9.9 14 8.5 3.6 1.4 Carpomitra costata 0.5 0 0.2 0 0.8 0 Caulocystis spp. 0.4 0 0 0 0 0 Cladostephus spongiosus 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 Understory Dictyopteris muelleri 0.5 27.6 0.2 21.7 0.3 16.9 0 29.4 0 11.8 0 7.6 brown algae Dictyotaceae spp. 0 0 0 0 0 0.4 Halopteris paniculata 7.5 1.2 1.8 7.9 3.3 0.6 Lobophora variegata 0.8 0.5 0.2 0 0.5 0 Perithalia caudata 4.1 1.7 0 3.8 0 1.9

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Xiphophora gladiata 0.5 0 0 1.6 0 0.6 Zonaria spp. 0.4 8.2 0.4 7.6 3.6 2.6 Caulerpa longifolia 0.4 0 0 0.5 0 0 Caulerpa scalpelliformis 0 0 0 1.5 0 0 Caulerpa trifaria 0 0 0 2.1 0.1 0 Chaetomorpha coliformis 1.4 0 0 0 0 0 Understory Chaetomorpha spp. 0 0 0 0.3 0 0 3.9 0.1 0.8 6.5 0.3 0.3 green algae Cladophora spp. 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 Codium fragile 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 Codium harveyi 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 Codium pomoides 0 0 0 0 0.1 0 Ulva spp. 1.9 0.1 0.8 2.1 0.1 0 Areschougia spp. 0.1 0.3 0 0 0.5 0 Ballia callitricha 7.1 1.2 4.3 2.5 3.7 4.1 Ballia scoparia 1.9 0 0.2 0 1.3 0.3 Callophyllis lambertii 1.5 0.2 0.1 0.5 0 0 Callophyllis rangiferina 4.2 6.1 3.5 5 0.2 0 Champia spp. 0 0.3 0.3 1 0.6 0 Corallina officinalis 0.4 0 0 0 0 1.2 Delisea plumosa 0 1.2 0.7 0.4 0.3 0 Delisea pulchra 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 Echinothamnion hystrix 0.6 0 1.8 6.2 1.2 0 Euptilota articulata 0.4 0 0.8 0.2 3.9 0.2 Gelidium spp. 0 0 0 0 0.3 0 Gymnangium superbum 3.7 0 5 0.8 0.3 0 Haliptilon roseum 0.4 0 0 0 0 1.2 Hemineura frondosa 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.1 Hymenena spp. 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 Laurencia elata 0 0 0.5 0.4 0 0 Understory red Laurencia spp. 0 51.6 0.8 19.9 0.4 50.8 0.5 45 0.1 35.1 0 23.4 algae Lenormandia marginata 1.4 1.2 3.7 2.6 7.8 1.9 Mychodea acanthymenia 0.6 0 0 0 0.2 0 Nitospinosa tasmanica 0 0.4 2.8 0 0 0 Phacelocarpus 0.7 1.1 3.8 peperocarpos 0.8 2.9 3.2 Plocamium angustum 7.8 5.2 4.8 6.6 2.5 5.2 Plocamium dilatatum 0.8 0 1 0.6 0.6 0 Plocamium patagiatum 0 0 0 0 0 0.4 Polluxfenia lobata 9.3 0 0.8 11.2 0.4 0 Polyopes constrictus 7.9 0.2 5.2 3.1 2.2 1.7 Ptilonia australasica 0 0 0 0 1.1 0.1 Rhodymenia sonderi 0 0 0 0 0 1.3 Rhodymenia spp. 1.8 0 4.4 1.8 3.2 2.3 Rhodymenia wilsonis 0.8 0 6 0.2 1.3 0.5 Sonderopelta coriacea 0 0 0 0 0 0.8 Unidentified algae (foliose 0 1 0 red) 0 0 0 Peyssonnelia spp. 20.3 39.4 12.2 (encrusting) 14.1 9 8.9 Encrusting algae Sonderopelta/Peyssonnelia 0 61.9 0.4 55 0 32.5 0.4 29 0 25.2 0 52.5 Unidentified algae 41.6 15.2 20.3 (crustose coralline) 14.5 16.2 43.6 Unidentified algae (brown 0.6 2 2 turf) 1.6 1.4 0 Turfing algae 4.4 16.2 17.3 11.1 17 26.9 Unidentified algae (red 3.8 14.2 15.3 turf) 9.5 15.6 1

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Unidentified algae (turf) 0 0 0 0 0 25.9 Galeolaria caespitosa 0 0.4 0 0 0 0 Mytilidae spp. 4.3 0 0 0 0.3 0 Encrusting Unidentified bryozoans 0 13.1 0 19.5 0 29.9 10.1 23.6 7.1 invertebrate (encrusting) 0 1.5 1.2 Unidentified sponge 8.8 19.1 29.9 (encrusting) 10.1 21.8 5.9 Hypnea ramentacea 0 1.3 0 0 0 0 Unidentified algae 0 5.4 0 Epiphytic algae (epiphytic brown) 4.6 19.6 10.5 0 14.9 0 5 0 0 Unidentified algae 4.6 12.9 10.5 (epiphytic red) 14.9 5 0 Amathia wilsoni 0 1.8 0.3 0.5 3.2 1 Pyura australis 0.4 0.4 0 0 0 0.1 Tethya spp. 0.3 0 0 0 0 0 Unidentified ascidians 0 0 1.4 0 0 0.1 Sessile Unidentified bryozoans 0 0.7 0 9.9 0 14.6 4.6 9.6 5.7 invertebrate (hard) 0 0 0.2 Unidentified bryozoans 0 0 0 (soft) 0 0 4 Unidentified bryozoans 0 3.9 4.6 1.8 2.8 0 Unidentified sponges 0 3.8 8.3 2.3 3.6 0.3 Bare rock 0 0 0 0 0 3 Cobble 0.6 0 0 6.6 2.6 0.4 Pebbles 0 0 0 0 0 0.7 Substrate Sand 8.4 11.8 6.5 13.8 2.2 9.1 15.8 29.4 7.8 25.7 0 4.1 Shell 1.2 0 0 0 0 0 Turf/sand/sediment 1.6 7.3 6.9 matrix 7 15.3 0 Canopy forming species richness 7 - 8 - 7 - 8 - 7 - 6 - Understorey brown algae species richness 9 - 6 - 6 - 5 - 5 - 7 - Understorey green algae species richness 4 - 1 - 1 - 5 - 3 - 2 - Understorey red algae species richness 20 - 13 - 21 - 19 - 22 - 16 - Total algal species richness 41 - 30 - 36 - 39 - 38 - 32 -

Fish Total abundance of fish was highest at IR2 (451 individuals) and IR4 (321 individuals), however, this was largely due to the large number of small schooling Trachinops caudimaculatus (southern hula, 249 individuals) at IR2 and Pempheris multiradiata (common bullseye, 189 individuals) at IR4 recorded on these transects (Table 9). The remaining four sites were relatively even in terms of fish abundance (128-229 individuals). Diversity was highest at IR1 (21 species) and IR3 (20 species), with the other four sites relatively even (14-17 species recorded). In general, the fish species present across all six sites were typical of sub-tidal southern Tasmanian reefs, with wrasses (Family Labridae) dominating, followed by leatherjackets (Family Monocanthidae) and weed whitings (Family Odacidae). Also typical of this region were the occasional schools of Dinolestes leweni (long-finned pike), Trachinops caudimaculatus (southern hula) and Pempheris multiradiata (common bullseye).

Due to the two large schools recorded at IR2 and IR4, Trachinops caudimaculatus (southern hula) and Pempheris multiradiata (common bullseye) were the most commonly recorded fish species, however, Notolabrus tetricus (blue-throat wrasse) had the highest even distribution across all six sites, closely followed by N. fucicola (purple wrasse). Siphonognathus beddomei (pencil weed

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 whiting) and Pictilabrus laticlavius (senator wrasse) also had moderate abundances and even distribution across all sites.

Raw data and representative imagery from surveys using the Edgar-Barrett surveys is provided in Appendices 9-12.

Table 9 Summary of fish survey results. Data represent total abundance for the 2000 m2 survey area at each site. Site Species IR1 IR2 IR3 IR4 IR5 IR6 Acanthaluteres vittiger (toothbrush leatherjacket) 3 2 3 1 22 38 Aplodactylus arctidens (marblefish) 1 1 1 Aracana aurita (Shaw’s cowfish) 3 4 Atypichthys strigatus (mado sweep) 1 1 Bathytoshia brevicaudata (smooth stingray) 1 1 Cheilodactylus nigripes (magpie perch) 1 Cheilodactylus spectabilis (banded morwong) 8 7 2 8 1 Dentiraja lemprieri (thornback skate) 1 Dinolestes lewini (long-finned pike) 15 61 5 13 Diodon nicthemerus (globefish) 1 1 Dotalabrus aurantiacus (Castelnaus wrasse) 1 5 4 1 Gnathanacanthus goetzeei (red velvetfish) 1 Latridopsis forsteri (bastard trumpeter) 2 5 1 8 2 Meuschenia australis (brown-striped leatherjacket) 1 3 1 Neoodax balteatus (little rock whiting) 11 14 1 16 1 Notolabrus fucicola (purple wrasse) 28 3 12 25 15 4 Notolabrus tetricus (blue-throat wrasse) 31 59 56 15 3 9 Olisthops cyanomelas (herring cale) 14 3 1 7 1 Paratrachichthys trailli (sandpaper fish) 4 Pempheris multiradiata (common bullseye) 14 58 3 189 55 Pentaceropsis recurvirostris (long-snouted boarfish) 1 1 Pictilabrus laticlavius (senator wrasse) 1 16 14 12 6 1 Platycephalus bassensis (sand flathead) 1 2 Pseudolabrus mortonii (rosy wrasse) 3 1 4 3 Pseudophycis barbata (bearded cod) 1 Scobinichthys granulatus (rough leatherjacket) 1 Scorpis lineolata (silver sweep) 6 35 23 19 Siphonognathus beddomei (pencil weed whiting) 24 21 11 21 22 2 Spiniraja whitleyi (Melbourne skate) 1 Trachinops caudimaculatus (southern hula fish) 33 249 8 25 3 2 Vincentia conspersa (southern cardinalfish) 1 Total Abundance 188 451 229 321 128 151 Species Richness 21 14 20 17 15 16

Invertebrates and cryptic fish

The total abundance of large mobile invertebrates was highest at IR2 (671 individuals) and IR3 (397 individuals), primarily due to the large number of the feather star Comanthus trichoptera recorded at these sites (566 and 258 individuals respectively) (Table 10). In contrast, the total abundance of cryptic fish species was highest at IR4 (86 individuals) and IR1 (75 individuals), due to large numbers of schooling juvenile Pempheris multiradiata (common bullseye) recorded at these sites (80 and 58 individuals respectively). Total abundances of invertebrates and cryptic fish was notably low at IR6, with only 79 invertebrates and 7 cryptic fish recorded at this site. 52

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Macroinvertebrate diversity was consistent across IR1, IR2, IR3, IR4 and IR5, with 10-13 species recorded at each site. IR6 had slightly lower diversity, with 8 invertebrate species recorded. Cryptic fish were similarly consistent, with between 4-6 species recorded at IR1, IR3, IR4, IR5 and IR6. However, IR2 was much higher in cryptic fish diversity, with 11 species recorded at this site. This is likely to be due to the profile at IR2, with small boulders creating a large amount of cryptic habitat.

Overall, the invertebrate and cryptic fish communities were typical of inshore reef on moderately exposed coast in SE Tasmania. Dominant macroinvertebrate species included the feather star Comanthus trichoptera, which was present at every site and accounted 65% of all invertebrate observations. Jasus edwardsii (southern rock lobster) was the only other species to be recorded at each site, although Comanthus tasmaniae (Tasmanian feather star), Heliocidaris erythrogramma (purple sea urchin), Haliotis rubra (blacklip abalone) and Turbo undulatus (periwinkle) were all present at multiple sites, often in high numbers. Of the 14 cryptic fish species, none were found at all sites, although juvenile Pempheris multiradiata (common bullseye) were the dominant species when found in schools and were present at four sites. The introduced Fosterygion varium (variable threefin) and Pseudolabrus rubicundus (rosy wrasse) were both found at five sites, with Pseudolabrus rubicundus the dominant species at IR3 (14 individuals).

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Table 10 Summary of invertebrates and cryptic fish survey results. Data represent total abundance for the 200 m2 survey area at each site. Taxonomic group Species IR1 IR2 IR3 IR4 IR5 IR6 Diogenid spp. 5 2 5 1 Crustacean - crab Paguristes spp. 1 Plagusia chabrus 25 4 4 Crustacean - lobster Jasus edwardsii 31 10 20 3 5 7 Antedon loveni 1 Echinoderm - feather star Comanthus tasmaniae 34 20 18 11 Comanthus trichoptera 40 566 258 107 127 55 Fromia polypora 1 2 Nectria ocellata 1 1 7 Echinoderm - sea star Petricia vernicina 3 1 Tosia australis 3 7 1 Heliocidaris erythrogramma 7 38 71 Echinoderm - sea urchin Goniocidaris impressa 2 Goniocidaris tubaria 10 2 Echinoderm - sea cucumber Australostichopus mollis 1 Agnewia tritoniformis 1 1 Aplysia parvula 1 Clanculus flagellatus 10 Clanculus undatus 8 31 1 Dicathais orbita 1 Mollusc - gastropod Haliotis rubra 18 5 8 1 5 Notocypraea coupton 1 Pleuroploca australasia 3 1 1 Ranella australasia 1 Turbo undulatus 111 1 2 Mollusc - bivalve Mimachlamys asperrima 1 Aracana aurita 2 1 1 Atypichthys strigatus 2 Cephaloscyllium laticeps 1 Diodon nicthemerus 1 1 1 1 Eocallionymus papilio 3 Forsterygion varium 7 1 1 1 1 Glyptauchen panduratus 1 3 1 Cryptic fish Heteroclinus johnstoni 1 1 Heteroclinus perspicillatus 1 Pempheris multiradiata 58 4 4 80 Phyllopteryx taeniolatus 1 Pseudolabrus rubicundus 3 14 3 6 4 Scorpaena papillosa 4 1 3 Trinorfolkia clarkei 5 4 Invertebrates total abundance 241 671 397 223 165 79 Cryptic fish total abundance 75 24 24 86 11 7 Invertebrate species richness 10 11 10 13 12 8 Cryptic fish species richness 6 11 6 5 4 4

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 12 Deep reef surveys

Methods A survey of deep reef was undertaken along a 200 m transect line, at a site approximately 3 km east of the lease (Figure 1). Footage was captured by Huon Aquaculture with an ROV, with high definition footage recorded with a GoPro Hero4 camera attached to the ROV. Footage was reviewed in the Aquenal laboratory and the dominant habitats and taxa described. The transect was divided into 50 m sections for the purpose of video analysis.

Results and interpretation The seabed was mainly low-profile reef with minimal variation in depth across the 200 m transect (31.8 – 33.5 m). At the start of the transect a small section of moderate profile reef was present (1-2 m relief). Benthic coverage on the seafloor was dominated by red algae, with sponges and other sessile invertebrates interspersed amongst the algae. A range of sponge colours and morphologies were observed including arborescent, cup-shaped, finger and encrusting growth forms. Sand patches were present amongst the reef, with accumulated sand/turf also observed on the reef surface.

A variety of fish species were observed on the deep reef, with community structure considered typical of south-east Tasmanian reef systems. Fish species commonly recorded included Caesioperca lepidoptera (butterfly perch), Pseudolabrus rubicundus (rosy wrasse) and Notolabrus tetricus (blue throat wrasse).

Typical habitats are shown in Figure 13 below, while representative images taken along the transect are included in Appendix 13. Transect observations are summarised in Table 11.

Figure 13 Representative habitats along deep reef survey transect. 55

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Table 11. Summary of seabed characteristics along deep reef survey transect.

Depth Distance Description (m) Seabed: Mainly low profile reef with sand patches. At the start of the transect (0-15 m) a small section of moderate profile reef was present (1-2 m relief). Flora: High and diverse cover of foliose red algae (including genera Plocamium spp., Phacelocarpus sp., Ptilonia sp., Thamnoclonium sp., Sonderopelta/Peyssonelia). Occasional patch of crustose coralline algae. Patches of turf/sand on the reef surface. Invertebrate fauna: Sessile invertebrates (predominately sponges) interspersed amongst red algae. A 32.7- range of sponge varieties present with different colours and morphologies including cup, encrusting, 0-50 33.1 m fan, finger and globular sponges. Other invertebrates recorded included lace bryozoans and Comanthus trichoptera (feather stars). Fish fauna - species recorded included: Caesioperca lepidoptera (butterfly perch) Caesioperca rasor (barber perch) Cheilodactylus nigripes (magpie perch) Nemadactylus macropterus (jackass morwong) Pseudolabrus rubicundus (rosy wrasse) Seabed: Low profile reef with sand patches. Flora: High and diverse cover of foliose red algae (including genera Plocamium spp., Phacelocarpus sp., Ptilonia sp., Thamnoclonium sp., Sonderopelta/Peyssonelia). Occasional patch of crustose coralline algae. Patches of turf/sand on the reef surface. Invertebrate fauna: Sessile invertebrates (predominately sponges) interspersed amongst red algae. A range of sponge varieties present with different colours and morphologies including cup, encrusting, fan, finger and globular sponges. Other invertebrates recorded included lace bryozoans, Comanthus 33.1- 50-100 trichoptera (feather stars), yellow zoanthids and Pteronisis sp. (gorgonian). 33.1 m Fish fauna - species recorded included: Acanthaluteres vittiger (toothbrush leatherjacket) Meuschenia freycineti (six-spined leatherjacket) Notolabrus tetricus (blue-throat wrasse) Pseudolabrus rubicundus (rosy wrasse) Pseudophycis sp. (cod) Upeneichthys vlamingii (goatfish) Seabed: Low profile reef with sand patches, occasional boulders (~1 m). Flora: High and diverse cover of foliose red algae (including genera Plocamium spp., Phacelocarpus sp., Ptilonia sp., Thamnoclonium sp., Sonderopelta/Peyssonelia). Occasional patch of crustose coralline algae. Patches of turf/sand on the reef surface. Invertebrate fauna: Sessile invertebrates (predominately sponges) interspersed amongst red algae. A 33.1- 100-150 range of sponge varieties present with different colours and morphologies including arborescent, 33.5 m cup, encrusting, fan, finger and globular sponges. Comanthus trichoptera (feather stars) were also observed. Fish fauna - species recorded included: Caesioperca lepidoptera (butterfly perch) Notolabrus tetricus (blue-throat wrasse) Pseudolabrus rubicundus (rosy wrasse) Seabed: Low profile reef with sand patches, occasional boulders (1- 2 m). Flora: High and diverse cover of foliose red algae (including genera Plocamium spp., Phacelocarpus sp., Ptilonia sp., Thamnoclonium sp., Sonderopelta/Peyssonelia). Occasional patch of crustose coralline algae. Patches of turf/sand on the reef surface. Invertebrate fauna: Sessile invertebrates (predominately sponges) interspersed amongst red algae. A range of sponge varieties present with different colours and morphologies including arborescent, 33.5- 150-200 cup, encrusting, fan, finger and globular sponges. Comanthus trichoptera (feather stars) and 33.5 m Pteronisis sp. (gorgonian) were also observed. Fish fauna - species recorded included: Caesioperca lepidoptera (butterfly perch) Notolabrus tetricus (blue-throat wrasse) Meuschenia scaber (cosmopolitan leatherjacket) Pseudolabrus rubicundus (rosy wrasse) Foetorepus calauropomus (stinkfish)

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 13 Seagrass surveys Filming of seagrass transects was carried out by Huon Aquaculture, with GoPro footage analysed by Aquenal Pty Ltd (Figure 14)). Transects were undertaken adjacent to the coastline at North Bruny Island (4 sites, 50 m transects) and Adventure Bay (3 sites 200 – 300 m transects). During review of video footage, coverage of seagrass and Caulerpa spp. was estimated from frame grabs randomly distributed through the course of the dive. Epiphyte coverage was also assessed from these same frame grabs, according to a qualitative scale (Table 12). The dominant flora and fauna was also recorded during review of video footage.

Table 12 Epiphyte coverage qualitative scale Epiphyte scale Description 1 Very low, virtually clean plants 2 Low; minimal epiphytic growth 3 Medium; obvious epiphytic growth 4 High; most plants covered 5 Very high, plants completely covered

Results and interpretation A summary of observations made from seagrass survey dives is provided in Table 13 below.

There was considerable variation in seagrass (Zostera tasmanica) abundance and habitat type across the two survey regions (i.e. North Bruny, Adventure Bay) and also between sites in each region. At North Bruny Island, very sparse patchy seagrass was evident (average cover 14.4%), while dense seagrass beds predominated at Adventure Bay sites (average cover 51.1%).

At North Bruny sites SG1, SG2 and SG3, the shallower sections of the transect were mainly unvegetated sand, with drift filamentous algae also present. Some sparse seagrass was present in deeper sections of the transect at these sites. At SG4, sparse seagrass was evident across most of the survey transect.

Epiphytic algal growth was very high on seagrass at sites SG1, SG2 and SG3. It was difficult to reliably estimate cover of seagrass due to the very high cover of epiphytic algal growth present at these sites. It also appeared that the predominant filamentous drift algae was the same as the algae growing epiphytically on seagrass. At SG4, cover of seagrass was slightly higher and epiphytic growth general lower across the transect compared with sites SG1-SG3.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

(a)

(b)

Figure 14 Map showing location of seagrass survey transects, including (a) North Bruny Island (a) and (b) Adventure Bay. 58

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 The three reference sites (SGR) at Adventure Bay were generally comparable. At all references sites the shallow (<1 m) sections were unvegetated. Seagrass cover increased with depth with very high cover present in the 2 – 9 m depth range. Beyond 10 m depth, seagrass cover tended to decline with unvegetated sand predominating at depths > 10 m. Epiphyte cover at Adventure Bay was generally much lower than North Bruny sites, however, there were occasional patches of seagrass with high epiphyte cover (e.g. 100 m mark at SGR2).

A range of flora and fauna was observed across the three survey sites (see Table 13). Diversity and abundance of flora and fauna was higher at the Adventure Bay reference sites. This pattern may be partially due to the longer transects at Adventure Bay compared to North Bruny Island and also the presence of epiphytic algae obscuring the seafloor at the North Bruny Island sites.

Representative imagery from each seagrass survey dive is included in Appendix 14.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Table 13 Summary of observations from seagrass surveys. Seagrass (Zostera tasmanica) and Caulerpa spp. coverage estimates represent average cover assessed across replicate frame grabs taken from video footage. Average epiphyte scores represent the average score assessed across replicate frame grabs. See Appendix 14 for raw data

Transe Depth ct Region Site range Flora/Fauna/Flora observed

length spp. cover (%) (m) (m)

Epiphyte score

Seagrass cover (%)

Caulerpa

Fauna: Ostrea angasi (flat oyster) SG1 2.5-4.5 50 7.5 0 5 Flora: Zostera tasmanica, filamentous brown algae Fauna: Ostrea angasi (flat oyster), Neodax balteatus (weed whiting) SG2 3.0-5.0 50 16.5 0 4.8 North Flora: Zostera tasmanica, filamentous brown algae Bruny Fauna: Platycephalus bassensis (sand flathead), Urolophus sp.(stingaree) SG3 3.0-5.0 50 17.5 0.5 4.8 Island Flora: Zostera tasmanica, filamentous brown algae Fauna: Platycephalus bassensis (sand flathead), Haletta semifasciata (grass whiting), Ostrea SG4 3.0-5.0 50 16 0 3 angasi (flat oyster), Pterygotrigla sp (latchet) Flora: Zostera tasmanica, filamentous brown algae Fauna: Platycephalus bassensis (sand flathead), Neodax balteatus (weed whiting), goby (Family Gobiidae), Meuschenia freycineti (six-spine leatherjacket), Cephaloscyllium laticeps (draughtboard shark), Upeneichthys vlamingii (goatfish), Notolabrus tetricus (blue-throat wrasse), SGR1 2.0-12.0 300 52 0.1 2.1 Aracana aurita (Shaw’s cowfish), Dotalabrus-aurantiacus (Castelneaus wrasse), occasional sponge, Myxicola infundibulum, Ostrea angasi (flat oyster) Flora: Zostera tasmanica, Caulerpa trifaria, Ulva sp., foliose red algae, filamentous brown algae Fauna: Platycephalus bassensis (sand flathead), Neodax balteatus (weed whiting), Notolabrus tetricus (blue-throat wrasse), Upeneichthys vlamingii (goatfish), Meuschenia freycineti (six-spine Adventure leatherjacket), Pristiophorus nudipinnis (sawshark), Pecten fumatus (scallop) , Myxicola Bay SGR2 1.0-12.0 300 53.7 0 2.3 infundibulum, Ostrea angasi (flat oyster) Flora: Zostera tasmanica, Chaetomorpha billardierei, Caulerpa scalpelliformis, Ulva sp., foliose red algae, filamentous brown algae Fauna: Neodax balteatus (weed whiting), Notolabrus tetricus (blue-throat wrasse), Meuschenia freycineti (six-spine leatherjacket), Acanthaluteres vittiger (toothbrush leatherjacket), Pecten SGR3 1.5-12.0 200 47.6 0 2.6 fumatus (scallop) , Myxicola infundibulum, Ostrea angasi (flat oyster), occasional sponge Flora: Zostera tasmanica, Chaetomorpha billardierei, Caulerpa scalpelliformis, Caulerpa trifaria, Ulva sp., foliose red algae, filamentous brown algae

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019 14 References

Aquenal (2014) Trumpeter Bay MF261 (Zone 1) Baseline Environmental Assessment, Report to Huon Aquaculture Group Pty Ltd. December 2014, 34pp.

Aquenal (2015) Trumpeter Bay MF261 (Blocks 1 & 2): Baseline environmental assessment. Final report (version 1.0). Report to Huon Aquaculture Group Pty Ltd. November 2015, 61pp.

Aquenal (2019) Trumpeter Bay MF261 (Block SB2): Baseline environmental assessment. Final report (version 2.0). Report to Huon Aquaculture Group Pty Ltd. March 2019, 69pp.

Clarke, K.R. (1993) Non-parametric multivariate analyses of changes in community structure. Australian Journal of Ecology 18: 117-143.

Clarke, K.R. & Gorley, R.N. (2001) PRIMER v5: User Manual/Tutorial PRIMER-E: Plymouth.

Faith, D.P., Minchin, P.R. and Belbin, L. (1987) Compositional dissimilarity as a robust measure of ecological distance. Vegetatio 69: 57-68

Grove S. and R. de Little (2014). Extensions for marine molluscs from dredging surveys off the Tasman and Forestier Peninsulas, south-east Tasmania. Kanunnah 7: 141-167.

Huon Aquaculture (2017) Environmental Impact Statement to accompany the Draft Amendment No. 3 to the Storm Bay off Trumpeter Bay North Bruny Island, Marine Farming Development Plan, July 1998, 389pp.

Macleod, C.K. and Forbes, S. (2004). Guide to the assessment of sediment condition at marine finfish farms in Tasmania. Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute – University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia, 65 pp.

Australian Government Department of Environment (2015) Recovery Plan for Three Handfish Species, Commonwealth of Australia 2015, 41 pp.

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 1 Survey coordinates for sediment sampling, based on the Mapping Grid of Australia Zone 55 (Datum GDA94).

Name Easting Northing Name Easting Northing 1.1 534040.9 5226908 C1.1 535223.3 5222865 1.2 534060.7 5226913 C1.2 535242.4 5222870 1.3 534080.4 5226917 C1.3 535260.7 5222876 2.1 534353.7 5226981 C2.1 537051.3 5226466 2.2 534372.9 5226986 C2.2 537045.6 5226485 2.3 534392.1 5226990 C2.3 537039 5226505 3.1 534670.3 5227055 C3.1 533837.2 5228930 3.2 534689.9 5227059 C3.2 533855.6 5228936 3.3 534709.5 5227064 C3.3 533874.4 5228941 4.1 535045 5226673 IF1 534001 5226634 4.2 535049.5 5226653 IF2 534287 5226696 4.3 535054 5226634 IF3 534595 5226737 5.1 535131.1 5226303 IF4 534851 5226793 5.2 535135.7 5226284 IF5 534781 5226582 5.3 535140.3 5226264 IF6 534491 5226523 6.1 535222.7 5225911 IF7 534194 5226461 6.2 535227.2 5225891 IF8 534149 5226230 6.3 535231.8 5225871 IF9 534415 5226278 7.1 535320 5225493 IF10 534678 5226378 7.2 535324.6 5225474 IF11 534923 5226371 7.3 535329.3 5225453 IF12 534875 5226209 8.1 535192.3 5224953 IF13 534595 5226157 8.2 535176.3 5224949 IF14 534284 5226098 8.3 535156.6 5224945 IF15 534208 5225874 9.1 534897.7 5224884 IF16 534495 5225919 9.2 534879.2 5224880 IF17 534771 5225998 9.3 534861.2 5224876 IF18 535009 5226002 10.1 534584.9 5224811 IF19 534982 5225812 10.2 534565.4 5224807 IF20 534654 5225711 10.3 534545.3 5224802 IF21 534395 5225698 11.1 534192.5 5225191 IF22 534350 5225459 11.2 534187.9 5225211 IF23 534557 5225349 11.3 534183.7 5225229 IF24 534809 5225342 12.1 534097.8 5225597 IF25 534878 5225597 12.2 534093.2 5225617 IF26 535134 5225584 12.3 534088.6 5225637 IF27 535189 5225283 13.1 534004.5 5225997 IF28 535023 5225183 13.2 534000.4 5226015 IF29 534712 5225100 13.3 533995.8 5226035 IF30 534467 5225100 14.1 533918.1 5226368 14.2 533913.6 5226387 14.3 533909.1 5226407

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 2 Survey coordinates for Gazameda gunnii sampling, based on the Mapping Grid of Australia Zone 55 (Datum GDA94).

Name Easting Northing

G1 534007 5226741 G2 534555 5226875 G3 534875 5226729 G4 534345 5226607 G5 534097 5226325 G6 534662 5226471 G7 534955 5226306 G8 534418 5226211 G9 534197 5225938 G10 534723 5226060 G11 535054 5225909 G12 534528 5225789 G13 534275 5225477 G14 534850 5225639 G15 535168 5225491 G16 534630 5225372 G17 534396 5225100 G18 534901 5225213 G19 535284 5225099 G20 534731 5224969 G21 534433 5224908 G22 534999 5225036 G23 535199 5225298 G24 534679 5225185 G25 534325 5225313 G26 534885 5225421 G27 535107 5225703 G28 534571 5225576 G29 534264 5225731 G30 534770 5225816 G31 534996 5226117 G32 534489 5225988 G33 534153 5226157 G34 534690 5226251 G35 534895 5226525 G36 534369 5226390 G37 534045 5226535 G38 534600 5226674 G39 534812 5226960 G40 534263 5226803

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 3 Images of sediment cores

1.1-1.3 2.1-2.3

3.1-3.3 4.1-4.3

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

5.1-5.3 6.1-6.3

7.1-7.3 8.1-8.3

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

9.1-9.3 10.1-10.3

11.1-11.3 12.1-12.3

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

13.1-13.3 14.1-14.3

C1.1-C1.3 C2.1-C2.3

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

C3.1-C3.3 IF1-IF3

IF4-IF6 IF7-IF9

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

IF10-IF12 IF13-IF15

IF16-IF18 IF19-21

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

IF22-IF24 IF25-IF27

IF28-I30

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 4 Redox potential – raw data Corrected Corrected Sample Sample redox (mV) redox (mV) 1.1 224 C1.1 313 1.2 315 C1.2 381 1.3 299 C1.3 384 2.1 246 C2.1 345 2.2 277 C2.2 343 2.3 255 C2.3 371 3.1 293 C3.1 312 3.2 275 C3.2 420 3.3 160 C3.3 361 4.1 253 IF1 296 4.2 376 IF2 302 4.3 335 IF3 405 5.1 307 IF4 319 5.2 244 IF5 172 5.3 336 IF6 371 6.1 236 IF7 375 6.2 376 IF8 440 6.3 277 IF9 302 7.1 317 IF10 312 7.2 196 IF11 298 7.3 227 IF12 343 8.1 230 IF13 419 8.2 196 IF14 360 8.3 246 IF15 338 9.1 333 IF16 178 9.2 381 IF17 420 9.3 378 IF18 323 10.1 300 IF19 403 10.2 404 IF20 215 10.3 393 IF21 197 11.1 405 IF22 453 11.2 431 IF23 406 11.3 438 IF24 317 12.1 366 IF25 359 12.2 278 IF26 305 12.3 305 IF27 224 13.1 336 IF28 340 13.2 439 IF29 334 13.3 442 IF30 252 14.1 377 14.2 426 14.3 369

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 5 Sulphide concentration – raw data Sulphide Sample Sample Sulphide (µM)) (µM) 1.1 14.95775 C1.1 0.00402 1.2 0.00057 C1.2 0.00042 1.3 0.08854 C1.3 0.00008 2.1 0.00001 C2.1 0.43164 2.2 0.00009 C2.2 0.00071 2.3 0.00049 C2.3 0.00001 3.1 0.00076 C3.1 0.00002 3.2 0.46546 C3.2 0.00001 3.3 0.91776 C3.3 0.00007 4.1 0.00373 IF1 0.00377 4.2 0.00003 IF2 0.04376 4.3 0.00002 IF3 0.00854 5.1 0.00001 IF4 0.00179 5.2 0.00000 IF5 0.17945 5.3 0.00001 IF6 6.34365 6.1 0.00681 IF7 0.00793 6.2 0.00033 IF8 0.26016 6.3 0.46546 IF9 0.02415 7.1 0.00049 IF10 0.15468 7.2 0.02648 IF11 5.07651 7.3 0.00162 IF12 0.00438 8.1 0.00002 IF13 0.00003 8.2 0.00012 IF14 0.00026 8.3 0.00003 IF15 35.01668 9.1 0.73596 IF16 0.43757 9.2 0.01933 IF17 0.00589 9.3 11.49222 IF18 0.00224 10.1 0.54679 IF19 0.00115 10.2 0.00047 IF20 0.00179 10.3 0.00001 IF21 19.32905 11.1 0.00004 IF22 0.00634 11.2 0.00001 IF23 0.00242 11.3 0.00001 IF24 0.00024 12.1 0.00001 IF25 0.00001 12.2 0.00002 IF26 0.00001 12.3 0.00000 IF27 2.10423 13.1 2.08194 IF28 0.00586 13.2 0.09197 IF29 0.01816 13.3 0.00124 IF30 0.58367 14.1 0.11492 14.2 26.01613 14.3 0.15468

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 6 Particle size analysis – raw data Volume of Sample Vi V4 V2 V1 V0.5 V0.25 V0.125 V0.063 water No ml ml ml ml ml ml ml ml ml 1.1 63 26 26.1 26.9 27.5 53.2 82.1 86.2 25 1.2 63 25.2 25.7 26 27.5 49.2 84.9 87.9 25 1.3 66 30 33 34.4 48.9 72.5 87.3 90.6 25 2.1 65 25.1 25.6 26.1 27.7 55 87.2 89.9 25 2.2 67 26.3 29.4 34.1 43.8 77.6 90.2 91.3 25 2.3 66 25.4 26.1 28.7 32.1 59 89.2 91 25 3.1 65 25 25 25.1 26 58 85.2 89.9 25 3.2 66 25 25.1 25.4 26.1 49.7 82.5 87 25 3.3 65 25.2 25.2 26 28 57.8 87.4 88.9 25 4.1 62 25 25 25.2 25.6 61.8 85.2 86.5 25 4.2 65 25 25 25.6 27.9 71.1 88.6 90 25 4.3 65 25.3 26 27.1 29.7 60.7 89 90 25 5.1 65 25.3 26.7 29.1 49.3 76.5 87.2 89.1 25 5.2 64 25.1 25.6 26.8 30 61.3 86.1 87.9 25 5.3 66 28 30.2 33.7 41.2 83 90.6 90.9 25 6.1 66 25.2 25.9 26 27.1 74.5 88.8 90.7 25 6.2 64 25 25.2 25.7 27.3 64.5 81.3 85.7 25 6.3 66 25 25.2 25.9 29.7 66.4 88.2 90.8 25 7.1 64 26 27.1 28 31.8 74.7 79.9 84.3 25 7.2 65 25.1 26 26.3 28.8 72.6 84.1 87.6 25 7.3 65 25 25.3 26 30.2 74.3 87 89.5 25 8.1 67 25 25.2 25.4 27.3 73.9 88.7 91.6 25 8.2 62 25 25.9 27.3 28.1 69.4 84.3 86.2 25 8.3 62 25 25 25.2 27 67.1 85.1 87 25 9.1 65 25.1 25.9 26.1 28.5 55 81.1 89.6 25 9.2 66 25 25.2 26.1 26.3 64 85.6 88.1 25 9.3 64 25 25.1 25.6 26.3 52.1 83 86.2 25 10.1 64 26.8 31 38.9 56.8 86.1 88.2 89 25 10.2 62 25.6 26 27.3 31.9 71.7 85.9 87 25 10.3 64 25.1 25.3 26.1 32.9 77.4 87 88.7 25 11.1 62 27 34.9 46.5 68.9 82.4 85.1 86.9 25 11.2 60 25.3 26.6 28.2 49.3 74 82.7 83 25 11.3 63 25.2 25.9 28 49.4 79.5 86.2 87.1 25 12.1 60 25.1 25.3 25.9 26.5 49.1 81.6 83.9 25 12.2 63 25.2 25.9 26.1 39.8 59.3 85.3 88 25 12.3 61 25.1 25.3 26 28.3 61.2 84.6 86 25 13.1 60 25 25.4 26.1 33.8 68.8 83.7 84.9 25 13.2 66 32.1 42.4 52.2 72.2 87.6 90 90.9 25 13.3 60 25.7 27.1 32.6 51.7 83.5 85 85 25 14.1 65 25.1 25.4 26 27 58.8 84.8 89 25 14.2 65 27.9 31.8 36 44.3 63.1 83.9 89.6 25 14.3 63 26.3 29.5 35 42.3 64.1 82.2 87.9 25 C1.1 65 25.1 26.5 31.3 55.8 79.7 87.1 88.6 25 C1.2 66 26 29.3 35.2 60.2 85.2 89.2 90.6 25 C1.3 67 27.4 31 41.6 68.9 81 89.9 91.3 25 C2.1 62 25 25.1 25.8 26.9 51.5 84.7 86.3 25 C2.2 66 27 31.5 35.1 49.3 76.7 88.9 90 25

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 6 (continued) Particle size analysis – raw data Volume of Sample Vi V4 V2 V1 V0.5 V0.25 V0.125 V0.063 water No ml ml ml ml ml ml ml ml ml C2.3 66 26.1 28.9 30.2 42.6 81.6 89.2 90.8 25 C3.1 67 29.9 34.1 44 65.7 81.6 85.9 89.7 25 C3.2 57 34 44.8 59.7 76.7 79.3 81.6 81.9 25 C3.3 55 35 45.3 59.9 76.1 78.5 79.4 80 25 IF1 61 25.9 26.3 26.8 28.9 62.1 81 86 25 IF2 63 25.8 26 27 28 49.3 78.9 87.9 25 IF3 60 34 43.1 54.9 71.5 84 84.6 85 25 IF4 63 25.1 25.3 25.6 26.7 62.3 85.5 87.1 25 IF5 67 25.8 26.8 27.5 29 62.8 89.7 91.9 25 IF6 68 25.2 26.1 26.4 27.5 42.3 62.4 64.2 25 IF7 61 25.6 26 27.2 30.1 72.4 81 81.3 25 IF8 59 29 38.1 50.9 74.5 83.4 83.7 84 25 IF9 60 26.1 26.3 27 28.8 65.5 83.4 84.9 25 IF10 66 25 25.3 25.8 27 58.8 88 90.9 25 IF11 67 26 27 30 40.7 66.7 90 92 25 IF12 66 25.1 25.5 25.9 27.9 50.2 87.9 90.2 25 IF13 67 25.1 25.3 25.8 27 69.2 89.3 91.9 25 IF14 65 25.2 25.5 25.8 27.6 58.1 85.3 88.3 25 IF15 66 27 29 31.9 32.5 55 74.1 79 25 IF16 65 27.1 28.9 31.5 38.4 63.3 86.2 89.6 25 IF17 63 25 25.1 25.6 28 61.9 81.2 82.1 25 IF18 65 29.6 32 35.2 40.2 65.2 87.3 89.6 25 IF19 64 28.8 30.3 31.9 36.3 66.7 87.6 88.2 25 IF20 64 26 26.1 26.4 28.6 60.8 86.6 89 25 IF21 65 25.8 26.3 28.1 28.7 54.2 87.4 89.6 25 IF22 66 27 29.3 34.1 56.4 88 89.3 90.6 25 IF23 64 25 25.2 25.6 27.1 70.7 88.6 89 25 IF24 66 25 25.7 26 28.7 72.3 89.8 90.7 25 IF25 67 28.6 31.3 34 42.1 79.5 86.2 87.1 25 IF26 65 25.2 25.5 26 29.1 64.6 80.2 81.5 25 IF27 64 25 25.1 25.8 27.9 60.3 71.1 80.9 25 IF28 63 25 25.1 25.7 28 63.9 80 83.2 25 IF29 69 29.5 33.1 40.2 65.5 80.1 87.9 91.3 25 IF30 60 40.1 49.6 60.3 73.7 82.2 84.3 84.9 25

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 7 Raw Data: Benthic infauna

Phylum Family 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IF1 IF2 IF3 IF4 IF5 IF6 IF7 IF8 IF9 IF10 IF11 IF12 IF13 IF14 IF15 IF16 IF17 IF18 IF19 IF20 IF21 IF22 IF23 IF24 IF25 IF26 IF27 IF28 IF29 IF30 C1 C2 C3 Total Chordata Ascidiidae 4 4 Chordata Holozoidae 3 6 3 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 36 Arthropoda Ampeliscidae 7 8 1 2 3 2 2 8 4 12 9 15 7 2 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 3 2 3 3 8 3 2 1 1 2 3 6 3 5 5 1 3 2 10 10 15 1 3 189 Arthropoda Amphilochidae 1 1 Arthropoda Aoridae 4 1 3 1 2 2 7 6 1 2 1 1 4 2 3 1 1 42 Arthropoda Atylidae 1 6 3 2 1 2 3 2 1 1 1 9 32 Arthropoda Corophidae 9 31 46 8 9 34 9 1 27 2 5 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 25 7 3 1 11 7 2 3 25 15 3 1 6 1 5 2 3 20 3 10 345 Arthropoda Cyproideidae 1 1 Arthropoda Dexaminid 1 1 2 Arthropoda Eusiridae 18 26 8 8 13 9 9 8 27 11 18 20 13 2 9 4 4 8 1 11 2 9 7 8 9 13 3 3 5 7 3 10 14 8 9 3 5 7 9 19 16 5 10 18 35 464 Arthropoda Liljeborgidae 1 5 1 1 1 3 1 2 15 Arthropoda Lysianassidae 6 12 6 4 3 2 6 7 9 5 11 10 5 1 6 1 6 1 4 7 1 5 5 4 1 2 1 1 1 5 10 2 2 3 2 8 1 21 4 15 206 Arthropoda Maeridae 4 4 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 87 2 1 1 102 25 1 4 1 1 1 3 2 11 2 37 6 566 878 Arthropoda Melphidippidae 5 3 2 5 11 5 19 8 7 9 2 6 3 3 1 12 1 2 1 4 13 1 7 1 3 1 1 6 2 3 4 7 5 6 2 1 13 49 234 Arthropoda Oedocerotidae 6 7 6 5 2 1 6 1 2 15 2 9 1 1 1 2 6 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 3 2 97 Arthropoda Photidae 60 59 44 61 33 68 83 107 75 42 5 59 11 14 28 7 12 37 18 20 6 4 14 35 8 8 12 2 4 35 11 3 13 28 9 1 23 7 10 30 3 26 11 4 38 3 71 1262 Arthropoda Phoxocephalidae 25 4 30 20 8 15 14 15 22 6 12 13 18 6 9 21 2 4 3 6 4 3 4 4 7 7 2 3 2 4 5 3 1 8 5 10 1 2 2 5 1 1 5 7 26 12 15 402 Arthropoda Platyischnopidae 3 6 9 6 5 7 7 3 5 13 3 9 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 3 2 3 1 7 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 7 2 1 125 Arthropoda Podoceridae 2 2 4 Arthropoda Synopidae 10 11 5 2 4 3 6 5 1 2 2 3 1 1 11 4 1 1 3 1 1 18 1 1 1 5 1 2 1 1 1 1 14 32 157 Arthropoda Urohaustoriidae 10 5 3 6 5 7 10 12 1 2 9 1 16 2 2 3 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 1 4 1 3 9 131 Arthropoda Paguridae 3 8 1 2 1 1 2 7 1 6 1 5 1 1 1 2 6 1 7 4 10 1 2 5 2 3 2 6 5 19 2 28 146 Arthropoda Leucosiidae 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 3 1 2 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 45 Arthropoda Inachoididae - cf. Pyromaia tuberculata 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 26 Arthropoda Hymenosomatidae 1 1 2 Arthropoda Pilumnidae 1 1 1 3 Arthropoda Portunidae 1 1 Arthropoda Hexapodidae 1 1 2 Arthropoda Luciferidae 1 1 1 1 2 6 Arthropoda Caprellidae 1 1 Arthropoda Caprellidae - Caprella acanthogaster 6 6 Arthropoda Callianassidae 1 1 2

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 7 Raw Data: Benthic infauna (continued) Phylum Family 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IF1 IF2 IF3 IF4 IF5 IF6 IF7 IF8 IF9 IF10 IF11 IF12 IF13 IF14 IF15 IF16 IF17 IF18 IF19 IF20 IF21 IF22 IF23 IF24 IF25 IF26 IF27 IF28 IF29 IF30 C1 C2 C3 Total Arthropoda Crangonidae 1 1 2 Arthropoda Munidopsidae 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 12 Arthropoda Mysidae 1 1 1 1 1 5 Arthropoda Palaemonidae 1 1 2 1 5 Arthropoda Porcellanidae 1 1 Arthropoda Processidae 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 24 Arthropoda Arcturidae 3 8 2 1 5 5 2 2 1 4 4 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 4 1 2 56 Arthropoda Chaetiliidae 3 3 1 3 1 1 1 1 14 Arthropoda Cirolanidae 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 Arthropoda Gnathiidae 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 19 Arthropoda Munnidae 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 10 Arthropoda Paranthuridae 10 7 3 4 6 4 4 3 7 1 5 6 3 2 5 3 1 1 1 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 2 4 6 9 125 Arthropoda Serolidae 3 1 4 3 6 4 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 31 Arthropoda Sphaeromatide 5 2 9 9 1 2 9 9 2 3 2 2 5 82 5 3 10 43 2 22 1 8 3 1 3 1 1 2 2 3 15 3 41 3 242 556 Arthropoda Nebaliidae 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 14 Arthropoda Cylindroleberididae 4 1 1 1 10 1 3 2 3 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 5 3 1 3 1 2 1 5 4 61 Arthropoda Cypridinidae 7 9 4 15 9 21 31 26 6 19 12 14 12 5 2 3 1 8 9 12 2 11 4 1 3 6 3 5 4 4 3 11 12 2 12 1 1 24 11 345 Arthropoda Philomedidae 46 32 25 27 13 14 48 27 37 30 48 21 27 8 7 8 5 4 14 26 1 15 9 3 11 6 6 4 10 12 8 12 18 10 21 7 11 7 43 6 5 3 14 88 11 2 810 Arthropoda Sarsiellidae 7 5 1 3 1 3 10 2 7 1 2 2 1 2 1 4 2 2 1 1 3 1 7 2 2 4 4 1 2 84 Arthropoda Apseudidae 1 1 5 6 26 4 7 2 14 40 1 26 1 19 4 8 4 4 2 4 5 4 4 16 10 1 19 32 1 221 492 Arthropoda Kalliapseudidae 2 1 1 4 Arthropoda Leptocheliidae 1 1 Arthropoda Metapseudidae 3 17 30 21 19 33 48 19 3 5 3 14 20 9 1 2 7 2 8 11 1 9 2 1 3 8 2 2 2 16 7 7 14 6 355 Arthropoda Pagurapseudidae 2 1 2 5 Arthropoda Whiteleggiidae 1 2 3 1 4 1 2 1 3 14 63 4 99 Arthropoda Bodotriidae 15 24 17 16 23 18 8 10 16 8 18 11 12 2 8 2 1 6 4 8 8 9 8 3 2 3 3 1 3 4 1 11 9 6 5 7 5 3 6 1 6 3 2 6 6 5 353 Arthropoda Diastylidae 22 25 28 23 27 24 18 13 12 7 14 13 10 4 9 2 6 3 7 19 7 12 6 3 7 2 6 10 6 5 5 6 2 6 5 8 2 6 20 4 414 Arthropoda Nannastacidae 11 2 5 2 3 8 2 2 8 21 4 12 3 4 3 1 2 20 1 4 3 6 2 5 1 2 2 6 3 3 8 6 1 1 2 3 7 20 199 Echinodermata Amphiuridae 1 4 1 1 1 1 9 Echinodermata Asteriidae 2 5 1 1 2 11 Echinodermata Asterinidae 1 1 1 3 1 4 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 3 23 Echinodermata Astropectinidae 1 1 1 3 6 Echinodermata Loveniidae 1 1 2 Echinodermata Ophiuridae 1 1 3 1 2 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 25 Echinodermata Temnopleuridae 1 3 5 3 1 4 1 4 1 1 2 8 34 Echinodermata Synaptidae 1 1

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 7 Raw Data: Benthic infauna (continued) Phylum Family 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IF1 IF2 IF3 IF4 IF5 IF6 IF7 IF8 IF9 IF10 IF11 IF12 IF13 IF14 IF15 IF16 IF17 IF18 IF19 IF20 IF21 IF22 IF23 IF24 IF25 IF26 IF27 IF28 IF29 IF30 C1 C2 C3 Total Mollusca Ischnochitonidae 3 2 2 5 12 Mollusca Chitonidae 1 2 1 4 Mollusca Anabathridae 44 3 6 11 5 13 25 24 94 9 9 2 5 1 4 4 13 8 12 3 1 4 1 2 1 3 2 1 17 30 2 1 13 4 4 25 1 3 5 17 432 Mollusca Aplysiidae 1 1 2 Mollusca Calyptraeidae 2 1 2 1 1 1 4 2 1 11 2 7 2 16 53 Mollusca Columbellidae 13 2 6 2 2 3 1 5 5 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 63 Mollusca Eatoniellidae 1 1 Mollusca Epitoniidae 1 1 Mollusca Aeolidiidae 1 1 1 3 Mollusca Lepetidae 1 2 3 Mollusca Litiopidae 1 1 2 Mollusca Marginellidae 1 1 3 4 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 24 Mollusca Mitridae 1 1 1 1 4 Mollusca Muricidae 1 1 1 1 4 Mollusca Nassariidae 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 Mollusca Naticidae 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 12 Mollusca Olividae 1 1 Mollusca Philinidae 1 1 1 2 1 1 7 Mollusca Pleurobranchaeidae 1 1 2 Mollusca Pyramidellidae 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 15 Mollusca Retusidae 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 9 Mollusca Terebridae 1 1 1 1 1 5 Mollusca Trochidae 6 2 1 18 27 Mollusca Turridae 1 1 1 1 4 Mollusca Turritellidae - Maoricolpus roseus 1 1 Mollusca Turritellidae - Gazameda gunnii 1 1 1 1 4 Mollusca Volutidae 1 1 Mollusca Cardiidae 2 1 2 3 1 6 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 3 1 1 1 2 4 2 38 Mollusca Carditidae 1 1 1 1 5 3 1 1 1 15 Mollusca Condylocardiidae 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 3 5 1 1 1 2 23 46 Mollusca Corbulidae - Corbula gibba 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 8

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 7 Raw Data: Benthic infauna (continued) Phylum Family 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IF1 IF2 IF3 IF4 IF5 IF6 IF7 IF8 IF9 IF10 IF11 IF12 IF13 IF14 IF15 IF16 IF17 IF18 IF19 IF20 IF21 IF22 IF23 IF24 IF25 IF26 IF27 IF28 IF29 IF30 C1 C2 C3 Total Mollusca Galeommatidae 21 22 1 2 1 9 136 74 16 17 47 5 44 4 6 7 5 1 1 2 7 2 43 31 2 6 1 1 12 1 3 6 4 12 16 3 67 5 4 7 2 656 Mollusca Glycymerididae 10 5 5 2 2 1 10 1 1 3 1 5 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 3 1 1 1 71 Mollusca Hiatellidae 1 1 1 3 Mollusca Limidae 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 9 Mollusca Lucinidae 1 1 2 Mollusca Myochamidae 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 Mollusca Mytilidae 1 1 2 Mollusca Nuculanidae 1 1 2 Mollusca Ostreidae 2 2 Mollusca Pholadidae 1 1 2 Mollusca Psammobiidae 2 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 15 Mollusca Solenidae 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 14 Mollusca Veneridae 98 61 74 18 32 15 20 5 14 4 13 12 36 22 6 4 1 21 3 15 13 17 11 5 2 9 2 1 6 4 7 3 2 6 8 2 1 3 3 4 3 7 5 11 7 616 Phoronida Phoronida (Phylum) 2 2 3 1 8 Platyhelminthes Platyhelminthes (Phylum) 1 1 2 Sipuncula Sipuncula (Phylum) 1 1 Cnidaria Actiniidae 1 1 1 1 5 1 10 Cnidaria Edwardsiidae 2 8 3 4 3 1 5 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 3 3 4 8 2 64 Chordata Branchiostomatidae 1 3 4 Chordata Ophichthidae 1 1 Hemichordata Ptychoderidae 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 8 Nemertea Nemertea (Phylum) 10 11 10 2 7 1 3 6 3 2 16 4 27 5 4 12 2 1 4 6 2 3 5 2 1 3 4 3 1 1 7 3 2 1 1 10 2 19 5 20 231 Nematoda Nematoda (Phylum) 3 14 1 6 5 3 5 2 3 1 11 5 13 4 3 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 4 1 4 2 1 1 1 4 2 1 1 12 1 11 137 Annelida Oligochaeta 1 1 2 Annelida Ampharetidae 2 1 2 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 15 Annelida Amphinomidae 1 1 29 21 2 3 2 71 130 Annelida Aphroditidae 1 1 2 Annelida Capitellidae - Heteromastus sp. 1 1 1 5 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 14 2 2 35 Annelida Capitellidae - Mediomastus sp. 7 8 2 1 3 13 6 2 3 3 5 17 1 1 2 5 1 7 87 Annelida Capitellidae - Notomastus sp. 1 1 2

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 7 Raw Data: Benthic infauna (continued) Phylum Family 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IF1 IF2 IF3 IF4 IF5 IF6 IF7 IF8 IF9 IF10 IF11 IF12 IF13 IF14 IF15 IF16 IF17 IF18 IF19 IF20 IF21 IF22 IF23 IF24 IF25 IF26 IF27 IF28 IF29 IF30 C1 C2 C3 Total Annelida Chaetopteridae 1 1 Annelida Cirratulidae 3 3 3 1 2 2 3 1 2 1 3 6 2 9 4 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 8 1 3 1 3 4 1 4 3 2 85 Annelida Dorvilleidae 5 1 1 4 3 1 1 2 3 2 23 Annelida Flabelligeridae 1 1 1 3 Annelida Glyceridae 1 8 1 5 1 3 1 3 4 17 6 7 1 2 1 4 7 5 1 7 1 2 1 5 2 1 1 5 1 1 3 8 3 1 120 Annelida Hesionidae 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 Annelida Lumbrineridae 1 1 5 2 1 10 Annelida Maldanidae 4 1 1 1 7 Annelida Nephtyidae 4 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 13 Annelida Nereidae 1 1 2 4 1 1 1 11 Annelida Onuphidae 31 19 16 12 13 8 6 12 16 7 21 11 18 5 4 2 6 5 6 6 3 5 4 1 2 1 3 5 9 1 8 12 9 5 1 1 1 6 13 314 Annelida Opheliidae 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 9 Annelida Orbiniidae 1 2 1 1 5 Annelida Oweniidae 3 7 1 1 8 1 1 2 3 2 2 1 3 1 4 4 1 5 1 3 3 2 1 2 20 5 87 Annelida Paraonidae 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 20 1 14 4 1 1 3 1 14 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 6 8 19 1 5 119 Annelida Pectinariidae 6 1 2 4 1 1 2 4 1 2 1 1 3 3 1 33 Annelida Phyllodocidae 2 3 1 1 4 1 5 3 1 1 3 3 5 3 5 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 61 Annelida Poecilochaetidae 2 1 1 4 Annelida Polynoidae 1 2 3 1 1 6 14 Annelida Sabellidae 1 1 3 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 27 Annelida Scalibregmatidae 1 1 2 4 Annelida Serpulidae 1 49 8 58 Annelida Sigalionidae 2 1 1 4 Annelida Spionidae 79 27 23 30 30 25 22 17 25 9 22 10 16 19 8 8 7 8 1 8 3 2 8 3 6 2 4 11 15 12 9 9 4 6 3 4 3 2 11 2 3 4 6 7 14 25 4 576 Annelida Syllidae 9 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 3 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 3 1 10 60 Annelida Terebellidae 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 10 3 2 1 2 10 1 1 6 2 56 Abundance 683 539 448 413 365 389 697 504 472 289 462 348 487 208 160 117 362 175 72 152 223 354 211 186 236 124 98 92 136 129 123 125 131 197 172 147 180 125 101 249 42 167 186 137 666 258 1608 13745 Richness (Family) 65 67 59 54 62 58 65 62 57 47 60 60 60 58 39 33 43 45 22 38 44 44 49 38 47 37 34 33 44 36 32 33 36 49 48 42 46 39 34 39 19 49 41 40 68 55 67 155 Dominance (single species) 14.3 11.3 16.5 14.8 9.04 17.5 19.5 21.2 19.9 14.5 10.4 17 9.03 10.6 17.5 17.9 24 21.1 25 13.2 11.7 28.8 20.4 18.8 13.1 10.5 12.2 12 12.5 27.1 9.76 20 11.5 14.2 17.4 14.3 12.8 9.6 12.9 26.9 14.3 15.6 10.2 10.2 13.2 9.69 35.199 9.182

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 8 Heavy metal analysis – raw data. Yellow cells indicate exceedance of ANZECC ISQG ‘low’ trigger values, orange cells indicate exceedance of ANZECC ISQG ‘high’ trigger values.

Metal (mg/kg DMB) Site As Cd Co Cr Cu Mn Ni Pb Zn 1.1 12 <0.5 2 12 2 55 3 16 28 1.2 14 <0.5 1 11 1 49 3 14 23 1.3 17 <0.5 2 11 <1 69 2 13 23 2.1 14 <0.5 1 11 <1 53 2 12 18 2.2 21 <0.5 2 10 <1 57 2 11 22 2.3 16 <0.5 1 11 <1 61 2 13 21 3.1 10 <0.5 1 9 <1 45 2 9 15 3.2 10 <0.5 1 9 <1 51 2 9 15 3.3 9 <0.5 1 9 1 39 2 8 15 4.1 11 <0.5 1 9 <1 41 2 11 17 4.2 16 <0.5 1 10 <1 61 2 12 18 4.3 13 <0.5 1 10 <1 47 2 12 18 5.1 19 <0.5 2 10 <1 59 2 12 20 5.2 18 <0.5 2 10 <1 70 2 13 20 5.3 19 <0.5 2 10 <1 53 2 14 21 6.1 14 <0.5 1 10 <1 39 2 15 23 6.2 20 <0.5 2 11 <1 77 2 18 25 6.3 18 <0.5 2 11 <1 49 2 15 22 7.1 22 <0.5 2 11 <1 70 2 16 24 7.2 21 <0.5 2 11 <1 41 2 15 23 7.3 23 <0.5 2 11 <1 42 2 15 23 8.1 20 <0.5 2 11 <1 55 2 14 21 8.2 19 <0.5 2 11 <1 82 2 13 20 8.3 21 <0.5 2 11 <1 119 2 14 21 9.1 14 <0.5 2 14 2 75 4 19 39 9.2 15 <0.5 2 12 1 69 3 16 27 9.3 13 <0.5 2 12 2 50 3 17 30 10.1 28 <0.5 2 12 <1 68 3 12 27 10.2 19 <0.5 2 11 <1 77 2 12 21 10.3 23 <0.5 2 11 <1 68 3 14 24 11.1 30 <0.5 2 12 1 84 3 16 33 11.2 20 <0.5 2 11 <1 64 2 10 20 11.3 24 <0.5 2 12 <1 91 3 12 24 12.1 15 <0.5 1 10 <1 88 2 12 19 12.2 15 <0.5 1 10 <1 51 2 12 20 12.3 16 <0.5 1 10 <1 52 2 12 19 13.1 15 <0.5 1 9 <1 53 2 11 17 13.2 30 <0.5 2 9 1 77 3 14 30 13.2 19 <0.5 2 9 <1 69 2 10 19 14.1 14 <0.5 1 10 <1 67 2 15 22 14.2 14 <0.5 2 12 2 73 3 19 34 14.3 18 <0.5 2 13 2 143 4 21 39 ANZECC 2000 20 2 80 65 21 50 200 ISQG- (Low) ANZECC 2000 70 10 370 270 52 220 410 ISQG- (High)

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 8 (continued)

Metal (mg/kg DMB) Site As Cd Co Cr Cu Mn Ni Pb Zn IF1 14 <0.5 1 9 <1 42 2 11 17 IF2 13 <0.5 1 11 1 44 3 15 23 IF3 18 <0.5 2 11 2 51 3 12 28 IF4 13 <0.5 1 10 <1 60 2 14 20 IF5 16 <0.5 1 10 <1 35 2 12 19 IF6 14 <0.5 1 11 <1 55 2 13 21 IF7 17 <0.5 1 10 <1 69 2 13 20 IF8 20 <0.5 2 8 <1 49 2 11 23 IF9 20 <0.5 2 11 <1 78 2 14 22 IF10 15 <0.5 1 11 <1 64 2 14 21 IF11 16 <0.5 2 12 2 63 3 18 32 IF12 16 <0.5 1 10 <1 71 2 13 19 IF13 17 <0.5 2 11 <1 66 2 13 20 IF14 12 <0.5 1 8 <1 61 2 12 18 IF15 14 <0.5 2 14 3 70 4 22 46 IF16 14 <0.5 1 11 1 60 2 14 23 IF17 19 <0.5 1 11 <1 87 2 16 22 IF18 17 <0.5 1 11 <1 86 2 16 22 IF19 24 <0.5 2 12 <1 86 3 15 24 IF20 14 <0.5 1 10 <1 60 2 13 20 IF21 15 <0.5 1 11 1 57 2 13 24 IF22 30 <0.5 2 12 <1 125 3 15 26 IF23 17 <0.5 1 10 <1 67 2 12 20 IF24 56 <0.5 4 17 2 273 5 26 47 IF25 16 <0.5 1 8 <1 43 2 9 16 IF26 23 <0.5 2 10 <1 68 2 15 22 IF27 15 <0.5 1 10 1 52 3 15 24 IF28 15 <0.5 1 10 <1 73 2 12 22 IF29 16 <0.5 2 9 1 51 2 11 21 IF30 30 <0.5 2 12 2 95 3 14 36 C1.1 20 <0.5 2 10 <1 77 2 14 21 C1.2 77 <0.5 4 20 2 402 6 29 58 C1.3 86 <0.5 5 22 2 348 7 25 57 C2.1 13 <0.5 2 9 1 69 3 13 17 C2.2 13 <0.5 2 8 <1 61 2 12 15 C2.3 17 <0.5 2 7 1 82 2 11 15 C3.1 21 <0.5 2 7 1 74 2 12 21 C3.2 25 <0.5 2 8 1 68 2 14 26 C3.3 23 <0.5 2 7 <1 59 2 12 23 ANZECC 2000 20 2 80 65 21 50 200 ISQG- (Low) ANZECC 2000 70 10 370 270 52 220 410 ISQG- (High)

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 9 Raw Data - Edgar-Barrett Surveys: Macroalgae percentage cover (a) IR1

Site Transect Quadrat

Acrocarpia Acrocarpia paniculata Areschougia spp. Ballia callitricha Ballia scoparia Callophyllis lambertii Callophyllis rangiferina Carpoglossum confluens costata Carpomitra Caulerpa longifolia Caulocystis spp. Chaetomorpha coliformis Cobble Codium fragile Corallina officinalis Cystophora moniliformis Cystophora platylobium pulchra Delisea muelleri Dictyopteris Echinothamnion hystrix Ecklonia radiata Euptilota articulata Gymnangium superbum paniculataHalopteris frondosaHemineura Lenormandia marginata Lessonia corrugata Lobophora variegata Mychodea acanthymenia Mytilidae spp. Perithalia caudata Peyssonnelia spp. (encrusting) Phacelocarpus peperocarpos Plocamium angustum Plocamium dilatatum Pollexfenia lobata Polyopes constrictus Pyura australis Rhodymenia spp. Rhodymenia wilsonis Sand Sargassum spp. Sargassum vestitum Shell spp.Tethya matrix Turf/sand/sediment Ulva spp. (brown turf) algae Unidentified (crustose coralline) algae Unidentified (epiphytic red) algae Unidentified (red turf) algae Unidentified (encrusting) sponge Unidentified Xiphophora gladiata Zonaria spp. T1 1 0 0 8 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 0 12 0 16 0 4 2 10 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 0 4 12 0 0 T1 2 12 0 14 0 0 4 10 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 84 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 64 14 0 8 0 0 T1 3 0 0 10 0 0 2 24 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 0 0 0 0 0 6 8 70 0 0 8 24 4 0 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 90 8 0 2 0 0 T1 4 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 14 0 16 0 70 0 0 20 0 10 0 4 0 12 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 72 0 0 8 8 0 T1 5 0 0 16 14 10 0 28 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 56 0 2 0 0 0 22 0 0 0 0 20 0 16 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 28 0 10 0 0 0 T2 1 12 0 0 0 4 16 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 70 2 0 8 12 0 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 16 8 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 8 0 0 T2 2 0 0 4 0 16 0 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 76 0 0 0 6 0 8 2 0 0 4 0 0 12 0 24 8 16 0 2 4 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 0 0 T2 3 0 2 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 2 0 0 2 0 8 0 20 0 0 4 0 4 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 0 0 12 0 0 T2 4 16 0 0 0 0 4 24 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 0 0 0 6 0 20 0 24 8 0 24 0 8 0 0 0 36 2 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 8 0 0 IR1 T2 5 0 0 40 4 0 4 44 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 52 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 4 0 6 12 8 0 16 0 6 0 4 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 8 0 0 T3 1 8 0 0 0 0 14 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 28 0 0 0 4 8 28 0 52 0 0 0 0 32 0 32 0 0 2 0 0 14 0 28 0 2 0 0 0 14 0 12 20 0 0 T3 2 12 0 8 16 0 4 0 8 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 18 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 32 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 0 36 0 0 0 T3 3 26 0 4 0 0 4 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 12 0 24 0 6 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 20 4 0 56 20 0 12 2 0 T3 4 0 2 6 2 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 0 6 0 0 2 8 14 20 0 4 0 0 20 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 0 12 8 0 10 0 0 16 0 0 T3 5 0 0 12 0 0 4 10 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 2 2 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 2 0 0 12 2 8 0 14 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 4 0 6 0 36 0 14 8 0 0 T4 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 28 0 24 0 0 0 0 2 0 14 0 24 0 2 2 0 0 18 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 24 0 0 8 0 0 T4 2 80 0 8 0 0 0 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 4 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 16 8 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 50 0 0 0 0 T4 3 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 50 0 6 0 10 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 20 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 0 0 38 0 0 T4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 0 0 0 0 44 0 0 0 0 0 32 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 2 12 20 0 0 8 0 0 T4 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 16 36 0 8 0 2 0 24 0 34 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 16 0 0 0 0 8

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

(b) IR2

Site Transect Quadrat

Acrocarpia Acrocarpia paniculata Amathia wilsoni Areschougia spp. Ballia callitricha Callophyllis lambertii Callophyllis rangiferina Carpoglossum confluens Champia spp. Cystophora moniliformis plumosaDelisea muelleri Dictyopteris Ecklonia radiata Galeolaria caespitosa paniculataHalopteris frondosaHemineura Hypnea ramentacea spp.Laurencia Lenormandia marginata Lessonia corrugata Lobophora variegata Nitospinosa tasmanica Perithalia caudata Peyssonnelia spp. (encrusting) Phacelocarpus peperocarpos Plocamium angustum Polyopes constrictus Pyura australis Sand Sargassum fallax Sargassum spp. Sargassum verruculosum Sargassum vestitum Sonderopelta/Peyssonnelia matrix Turf/sand/sediment Ulva spp. (brown turf) algae Unidentified (crustose coralline) algae Unidentified (epiphytic brown) algae Unidentified (epiphytic red) algae Unidentified red) (foliose algae Unidentified (red turf) algae Unidentified bryozoans Unidentified (encrusting) sponge Unidentified sponges Unidentified Zonaria spp. T1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 94 0 0 0 2 0 0 8 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 12 0 6 4 4 T1 2 36 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 4 36 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 44 0 6 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 10 0 0 8 0 20 0 26 0 22 4 8 T1 3 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 76 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 12 18 4 0 T1 4 52 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 16 0 0 0 4 8 0 2 6 0 0 64 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 0 0 0 16 2 0 2 24 36 0 6 0 16 0 12 T1 5 20 0 0 0 0 4 16 0 0 0 0 24 0 0 0 0 4 0 8 0 0 0 60 0 2 0 0 8 0 8 0 8 0 16 0 0 16 0 20 8 0 0 12 4 24 T2 1 0 0 0 4 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 56 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 50 18 0 0 6 0 16 0 0 8 0 10 0 36 0 20 4 0 T2 2 0 0 4 6 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 60 8 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 2 0 24 0 0 20 8 0 0 0 0 22 20 22 0 16 0 10 16 0 T2 3 20 0 0 0 0 6 12 0 0 0 0 84 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 60 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 22 0 16 0 12 10 16 16 0 20 0 8 0 16 T2 4 4 6 0 0 0 16 0 0 10 0 0 100 0 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 20 0 4 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 20 0 40 0 12 IR2 T2 5 0 0 2 0 0 12 52 2 0 0 0 92 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 64 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 8 0 0 14 0 0 4 20 0 14 0 6 T3 1 0 4 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 8 0 16 0 2 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 16 0 0 0 20 20 20 16 0 T3 2 16 0 0 4 0 6 24 0 0 0 0 36 0 0 2 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 16 0 0 24 0 0 4 8 0 20 0 20 4 20 30 0 36 20 20 0 20 T3 3 0 10 0 0 0 6 8 0 0 0 0 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 16 64 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 8 0 0 8 0 20 0 20 10 16 0 10 T3 4 20 8 0 0 0 0 20 4 0 0 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 8 16 30 0 0 0 28 12 12 T3 5 20 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 50 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 20 0 0 6 0 8 36 12 20 0 0 0 12 0 16 T4 1 16 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 6 20 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 12 4 0 0 0 0 24 0 24 0 16 0 36 0 16 T4 2 6 8 0 10 0 10 16 0 0 0 0 44 0 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 52 20 2 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 8 0 0 10 0 8 T4 3 20 0 0 0 0 8 10 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 38 0 26 0 0 0 0 0 10 8 8 0 0 0 12 0 10 0 0 8 16 0 0 T4 4 16 0 0 0 0 4 20 0 0 0 0 76 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 12 0 0 0 20 0 50 12 0 T4 5 0 0 0 0 0 4 12 0 0 24 0 64 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 2 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 0 0 0 4 8 8 0 0

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Site Transect Quadrat

Acrocarpia Acrocarpia paniculata Amathia wilsoni Ballia callitricha Ballia scoparia Callophyllis lambertii Callophyllis rangiferina Carpoglossum confluens costata Carpomitra Champia spp. Cystophora platylobium plumosaDelisea muelleri Dictyopteris Echinothamnion hystrix Ecklonia radiata Euptilota articulata Gymnangium superbum paniculataHalopteris frondosaHemineura elata Laurencia spp.Laurencia Lenormandia marginata Lessonia corrugata Lobophora variegata Nitospinosa tasmanica Peyssonnelia spp. (encrusting) Phacelocarpus peperocarpos Plocamium angustum Plocamium dilatatum Pollexfenia lobata Polyopes constrictus Rhodymenia spp. Rhodymenia wilsonis Sand Sargassum spp. Sargassum verruculosum Sargassum vestitum matrix Turf/sand/sediment Ulva spp. Unidentified algae (brown turf) Unidentified coralline) algae (crustose Unidentified algae (epiphytic red) Unidentified algae turf) (red Unidentified ascidians Unidentified bryozoans Unidentified sponge (encrusting) Unidentified sponges Zonaria spp. T1 1 10 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 4 6 8 0 6 0 12 0 16 0 0 8 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 6 8 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 40 16 20 0 0 0 24 6 0 T1 2 70 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 6 0 0 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 12 24 0 22 8 0 6 12 0 0 0 6 4 0 0 20 50 0 12 0 20 12 0 T1 3 24 0 0 0 0 2 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 4 10 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 10 0 16 30 20 0 0 20 12 0 T1 4 0 0 12 0 0 8 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 96 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 20 12 0 T1 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 90 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 4 8 6 12 0 0 0 16 0 0 10 0 20 0 0 20 8 0 T2 1 6 0 8 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 70 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 4 0 0 8 0 20 8 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 20 16 16 50 0 0 T2 2 8 0 6 0 0 6 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 96 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 12 0 0 0 12 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 8 0 0 20 12 0 T2 3 0 0 0 0 0 16 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 8 20 0 28 4 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 20 0 30 30 16 0 T2 4 50 0 12 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 4 0 4 0 0 8 4 0 0 12 8 10 16 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 12 20 4 0 0 30 30 0 0 40 16 0 IR3 T2 5 16 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 76 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 60 0 4 0 0 0 16 8 T3 1 20 0 0 0 0 6 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 4 12 0 4 10 0 6 0 16 12 8 0 0 10 20 8 0 0 30 20 20 0 0 30 10 0 T3 2 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 86 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 8 40 0 0 20 16 0 0 6 8 10 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 10 0 10 0 8 60 10 0 T3 3 0 0 8 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 4 60 0 0 16 0 0 0 12 0 20 0 0 0 4 16 0 0 28 0 16 0 10 28 8 0 T3 4 10 0 16 0 0 2 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 2 16 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 8 20 20 0 14 0 4 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 50 0 8 0 0 20 0 0 T3 5 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 8 8 4 0 0 0 0 0 60 4 8 16 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 12 12 0 12 16 0 0 T4 1 12 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 4 90 0 0 6 0 0 0 10 0 16 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 10 10 20 0 0 40 0 0 T4 2 0 0 4 0 2 0 40 0 0 28 0 0 0 24 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 4 8 6 0 0 0 8 8 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 20 10 16 0 0 40 8 0 T4 3 0 0 8 0 0 0 20 4 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 50 0 0 12 0 0 4 4 6 4 0 0 0 0 16 2 0 20 16 30 0 0 30 4 0 T4 4 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 60 0 0 8 0 0 0 12 0 12 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 40 0 16 0 16 30 0 0 T4 5 0 0 4 0 0 6 20 0 0 0 10 0 0 4 0 8 0 0 0 6 0 4 50 0 8 0 0 0 4 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

(d) IR4

Site Transect Quadrat

Acrocarpia Acrocarpia paniculata Amathia wilsoni Ballia callitricha Callophyllis lambertii Callophyllis rangiferina Carpoglossum confluens Caulerpa longifolia Caulerpa scalpelliformis Caulerpa trifaria Chaetomorpha spp. Champia spp. Cobble Cystophora moniliformis Cystophora retroflexa plumosaDelisea Echinothamnion hystrix Ecklonia radiata Euptilota articulata Gymnangium superbum paniculataHalopteris frondosaHemineura elata Laurencia spp.Laurencia Lenormandia marginata Perithalia caudata Peyssonnelia spp. (encrusting) Phacelocarpus peperocarpos Plocamium angustum Plocamium dilatatum Pollexfenia lobata Polyopes constrictus Rhodymenia spp. Rhodymenia wilsonis Sand Sargassum fallax Sargassum spp. Sargassum verruculosum Sargassum vestitum Sonderopelta/Peyssonnelia matrix Turf/sand/sediment Ulva spp. Unidentified algae (brown turf) Unidentified coralline) algae (crustose Unidentified algae (epiphytic red) Unidentified algae turf) (red Unidentified bryozoans (encrusting) sponge Unidentified sponges Unidentified Xiphophora gladiata Zonaria spp. T1 1 28 0 0 0 0 20 0 4 4 2 2 0 0 4 0 0 16 0 0 6 0 6 0 4 4 4 16 0 10 0 2 0 0 10 0 4 0 4 0 16 0 0 10 20 20 0 24 8 0 4 T1 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 10 4 16 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 24 0 0 4 0 20 0 0 0 12 40 0 6 0 0 0 0 36 0 8 0 0 0 0 6 12 4 20 8 0 4 0 0 8 T1 3 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 20 0 0 16 4 20 0 6 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 4 16 0 0 4 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 16 T1 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 24 0 0 20 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 0 0 0 6 0 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 16 0 T1 5 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 34 0 10 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 30 0 0 8 0 0 16 T2 1 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 8 60 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 T2 2 6 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 28 0 6 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 6 8 0 0 0 4 20 20 0 0 0 10 32 T2 3 0 0 0 0 4 12 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 20 64 4 0 16 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 10 T2 4 50 0 4 8 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 12 0 8 0 10 0 6 4 0 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 40 0 0 20 0 0 16 IR4 T2 5 12 0 6 0 12 12 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 0 0 0 12 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 36 8 0 0 12 8 0 6 T3 1 6 0 4 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 72 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 16 12 0 0 0 0 30 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 T3 2 6 0 0 0 8 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 12 0 10 0 0 0 0 56 0 0 0 10 4 0 8 0 6 0 0 0 16 0 0 12 16 20 0 0 0 6 4 T3 3 8 0 10 0 6 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 0 0 8 0 12 0 0 0 0 18 0 8 0 4 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 70 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T3 4 12 0 10 0 20 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 2 16 0 0 4 0 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 16 0 0 0 6 0 12 0 0 20 16 12 8 24 0 0 8 T3 5 70 0 0 0 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 24 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 12 0 0 50 24 20 0 24 0 0 12 T4 1 6 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 12 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 60 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 20 0 0 40 0 0 12 0 6 T4 2 16 0 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 24 0 0 10 0 54 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 2 0 16 8 0 20 10 0 0 10 10 0 8 T4 3 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 0 12 0 8 0 6 0 0 0 0 12 0 6 0 0 0 20 12 0 0 20 30 0 20 8 0 6 T4 4 0 10 8 0 24 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 8 0 88 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 4 12 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 20 40 0 0 0 T4 5 60 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 2 12 0 0 6 0 10 0 14 12 12 4 0 0 8 4 0 0 0 12 0 0 40 0 20 8 16 0 0 0

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

(e) IR5

Site Transect Quadrat

Acrocarpia Acrocarpia paniculata Amathia wilsoni Areschougia spp. Ballia callitricha Ballia scoparia Callophyllis rangiferina Carpoglossum confluens Carpomitra costata Carpomitra Caulerpa trifaria Champia spp. Cobble Codium pomoides Cystophora moniliformis Delisea plumosaDelisea Echinothamnion hystrix Ecklonia radiata Euptilota articulata Gelidium spp.Gelidium Gymnangium superbum Halopteris paniculataHalopteris Hemineura frondosaHemineura Heterozostera tasmanica Heterozostera Jeannerettia lobata Jeannerettia Laurencia spp.Laurencia Lenormandia marginata Lobophora variegata Mychodea acanthymenia Mytilidae spp. Peyssonnelia spp. (encrusting) Phacelocarpus peperocarpos Phyllospora comosa Plocamium angustum Plocamium dilatatum Polyopes constrictus Ptilonia australasica Rhodymenia spp. Rhodymenia wilsonis Sand Sargassum spp. Sargassum verruculosum Sargassum vestitum Turf/sand/sediment matrix Turf/sand/sediment Ulva spp. Unidentified algae (brown turf) Unidentified coralline) algae (crustose Unidentified algae (epiphytic red) Unidentified algae (red turf) algae Unidentified Unidentified bryozoans Unidentified Unidentified bryozoans (encrusting)Unidentified Unidentified sponge (encrusting) sponge Unidentified Unidentified sponges Unidentified Zonaria spp. T1 1 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 6 0 4 0 16 0 92 4 0 0 0 2 0 12 16 0 0 16 0 0 20 0 20 0 0 12 0 0 T1 2 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 8 0 76 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 16 0 0 44 0 20 0 0 12 0 12 T1 3 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 4 0 0 16 0 0 2 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 96 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 16 0 0 12 12 20 0 0 44 6 6 T1 4 0 18 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 4 40 8 0 0 0 6 8 0 0 0 14 12 0 0 60 6 20 0 0 8 0 10 T1 5 0 2 0 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 36 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 24 0 100 0 0 6 0 4 0 8 0 0 0 12 0 0 12 0 12 4 0 24 0 0 T2 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 0 0 0 0 0 100 14 0 0 20 0 2 12 0 0 0 32 0 0 0 8 36 0 0 6 0 0 T2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 16 38 50 0 0 0 2 4 2 20 4 0 0 0 0 0 20 22 16 0 0 16 0 0 T2 3 0 0 0 4 0 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 10 0 0 0 12 0 100 12 0 0 0 6 4 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 4 0 16 2 0 44 0 0 T2 4 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 12 2 0 0 16 0 84 0 0 0 0 10 0 12 0 0 0 30 0 0 30 0 4 12 0 12 12 4 IR5 T2 5 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 4 0 0 12 0 76 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 36 0 0 20 0 16 4 0 18 0 6 T3 1 0 0 0 0 12 0 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 26 4 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 30 0 60 0 0 0 0 4 0 16 0 0 28 0 0 0 30 4 6 0 0 4 0 4 T3 2 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 12 0 80 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 6 6 4 8 0 0 8 4 20 0 10 56 0 16 T3 3 0 8 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 6 60 0 0 4 0 8 0 20 2 0 0 20 0 0 8 16 36 0 0 8 0 0 T3 4 0 8 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 4 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 4 10 60 0 0 2 0 2 0 16 0 0 0 20 2 0 2 12 10 0 0 44 0 8 T3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 10 0 18 0 0 2 0 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T4 1 4 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 4 0 0 2 14 0 80 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 2 0 16 0 0 16 0 16 0 6 20 0 4 T4 2 4 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 6 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 0 0 24 4 0 0 0 6 6 0 0 6 20 16 0 0 0 8 0 10 10 8 12 0 T4 3 0 8 0 12 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 12 0 60 0 0 12 0 12 0 16 0 0 0 12 0 0 16 8 8 12 0 20 4 0 T4 4 0 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 2 0 60 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 12 0 0 6 0 12 0 0 44 26 0 T4 5 0 4 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 92 0 0 10 0 0 4 12 12 0 4 12 0 0 16 0 24 12 4 36 12 2

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

(f) IR6

Site Transect Quadrat

Acrocarpia Acrocarpia paniculata Amathia wilsoni Ballia callitricha Ballia scoparia (non rock Bare 0 barrens) Carpoglossum confluens Cladophora spp. Cladostephus spongiosus Cobble Codium harveyi spp. Dictyotaceae Durvillaea potatorum Ecklonia radiata Euptilota articulata Haliptilon roseum paniculataHalopteris frondosaHemineura Hymenena spp. Lenormandia marginata Lessonia corrugata Pebbles Perithalia caudata Peyssonnelia spp. (encrusting) Phacelocarpus peperocarpos Phyllospora comosa Plocamium angustum Plocamium patagiatum Polyopes constrictus Ptilonia australasica Pyura australis Rhodymenia sonderi Rhodymenia spp. Rhodymenia wilsonis Sargassum vestitum Sonderopelta coriacea Unidentified coralline) algae (crustose Unidentified algae turf) (red Unidentified algae (turf) Unidentified ascidians Unidentified bryozoans (encrusting) Unidentified bryozoans (hard) Unidentified bryozoans (soft) Unidentified sponge (encrusting) Unidentified sponges Xiphophora gladiata Zonaria spp. T1 1 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 64 0 0 10 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 T1 2 0 0 10 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 14 0 0 0 16 0 60 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 T1 3 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 44 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 30 10 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 22 0 46 0 0 0 8 6 0 12 8 T1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 0 70 20 4 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 4 T1 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 100 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 64 0 12 0 0 0 4 6 0 0 4 T2 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 8 0 100 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 28 0 50 0 0 0 2 6 0 0 0 T2 2 4 0 8 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 22 12 36 8 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 8 40 0 16 0 0 0 6 6 2 0 8 T2 3 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 18 70 2 4 0 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 8 0 68 2 4 0 0 8 0 0 0 T2 4 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 4 50 46 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 82 0 8 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 IR6 T2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 80 10 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 0 0 6 0 64 0 0 2 8 14 0 0 2 T3 1 0 0 8 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 36 0 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 0 32 0 12 0 18 0 16 2 0 0 0 T3 2 0 0 16 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 50 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 T3 3 12 0 0 0 6 28 0 0 0 0 8 0 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 0 20 0 0 4 0 0 4 6 0 0 0 66 0 10 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 # T3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 100 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 86 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 10 0 14 0 0 0 56 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 46 0 20 0 0 0 10 6 2 0 2 T4 1 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 0 30 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 84 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 T4 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 10 0 8 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 8 10 100 4 2 0 2 0 0 18 4 0 0 4 0 42 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 T4 3 0 20 4 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 6 2 70 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 30 0 0 0 0 22 2 0 0 T4 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 16 12 100 0 2 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 18 0 44 0 0 2 6 12 0 0 4 T4 5 0 0 8 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 20 6 60 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 32 0 28 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 10 Raw Data - Edgar-Barrett Surveys: Cryptic fish and invertebrates (a) Cryptic fish

IR1 IR6 IR2 IR3 IR4 IR5 Species Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Aracana aurita 1 1 1 1 Atypichthys strigatus 2 Cephaloscyllium laticeps 1 Diodon nicthemerus 1 1 1 1 Eocallionymus papilio 3 Forsterygion varium 4 3 1 1 1 1 Glyptauchen panduratus 1 3 1 Heteroclinus johnstoni 1 1 Heteroclinus perspicillatus 1 Pempheris multiradiata 2 18 38 4 4 60 20 Phyllopteryx taeniolatus 1 Pseudolabrus rubicundus 3 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 5 1 1 1 3 3 Scorpaena papillosa 1 2 1 1 2 1 Trinorfolkia clarkei 1 4 2 2

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

(b) Invertebrates

IR1 IR6 IR2 IR3 IR4 IR5 Species Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Agnewia tritoniformis 1 1

Antedon loveni 1

Aplysia parvula 1

Australostichopus mollis 1

Clanculus flagellatus 5 4 1

Clanculus undatus 2 6 9 4 9 9 1

Comanthus tasmaniae 18 1 15 7 10 3 1 15 1 1 4 1 1 5

Comanthus trichoptera 7 8 12 13 10 16 15 14 166 138 160 102 111 79 56 12 79 6 22 40 65 6 16 Dicathais orbita 1

Diogenid spp. 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1

Fromia polypora 2 1

Goniocidaris impressa 1 1

Goniocidaris tubaria 6 3 1 1 1

Haliotis rubra 1 4 2 2 1 2 3 3 1

Heliocidaris erythrogramma 7 16 7 6 9 50 20 1 Jasus edwardsii 6 4 8 13 2 3 2 1 9 1 12 7 3 2 3 Mimachlamys asperrima 1 Nectria ocellata 2 3 1 1 1 1 Notocypraea coupton 1 Paguristes spp. 1 Petricia vernicina 1 2 1 Plagusia chabrus 5 5 7 8 1 2 1 1 1 2 Pleuroploca australasia 1 2 1 1 Ranella australasia 1 Tosia australis 6 1 1 Turbo undulatus 15 18 8 70 1 2

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 11 Raw Data - Edgar-Barrett Surveys: Fish IR1 IR2 IR3 IR4 IR5 IR6 Species Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block Transect Block 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Acanthaluteres vittiger 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 3 11 1 20 6 11 Aplodactylus arctidens 1 1 1 Aracana aurita 2 1 4 Atypichthys strigatus 1 1 Bathytoshia brevicaudata 1 1 Cheilodactylus nigripes 1 Cheilodactylus spectabilis 5 3 2 2 3 1 1 3 3 2 1 Dentiraja lemprieri 1 Dinolestes lewini 1 14 34 1 26 4 1 1 12 Diodon nicthemerus 1 1 Dotalabrus aurantiacus 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 Gnathanacanthus goetzeei 1 Latridopsis forsteri 1 1 2 3 1 8 2 Meuschenia australis 1 3 1 Neoodax balteatus 8 3 5 5 2 2 1 1 1 3 11 1 Notolabrus fucicola 15 5 6 2 2 1 1 5 6 1 15 9 1 9 5 1 3 Notolabrus tetricus 6 8 10 7 15 21 13 10 20 7 10 19 23 26 14 42 3 1 15 11 2 4 1 2 Olisthops cyanomelas 4 6 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 5 1 Paratrachichthys trailli 4 Pempheris multiradiata 10 4 4 50 4 3 127 62 54 1 Pentaceropsis recurvirostris 1 1 Pictilabrus laticlavius 1 1 4 7 4 4 5 4 1 3 2 2 5 2 4 1 Platycephalus bassensis 1 2 Pseudolabrus mortonii 1 2 1 4 3 Pseudophycis barbata 1 Scobinichthys granulatus 1 Scorpis lineolata 1 5 35 21 2 8 11 Siphonognathus beddomei 11 13 7 1 2 11 5 1 3 2 2 11 2 6 3 2 4 13 1 1 Spiniraja whitleyi 1 Trachinops caudimaculatus 29 4 120 123 6 2 55 23 25 3 2 Vincentia conspersa 1 90

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 12 Edgar-Barrett Surveys: Images of representative habitats at inshore reef sites R1-R6.

IR1 IR2

IR3 IR4

IR5 IR6

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 13 Deep reef survey: Images of representative habitats.

0-50 m 0-50 m

0-50 m 50-100 m

50-100 m 50-100 m

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 13 (continued) Deep reef survey: Images of representative habitats.

100-150 m 100-150 m

100-150 m 150-200 m

150-200 m 150-200 m

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 14 Seagrass survey: Raw data – Frame grab analysis of seagrass footage

Dive

Caulerpa

Epiphyte score

Replicate frame grab

Seagrass coverage (%) 1 0 0 NA 2 0 0 NA 3 0 0 NA 4 0 0 NA 5 5 0 5 SG1 (50 m) 6 25 0 5 7 10 0 5 8 5 0 5 9 25 0 5 10 5 0 5 1 0 0 NA 2 0 0 NA 3 0 0 NA 4 0 0 NA 5 25 0 5 SG2 (50 m) 6 10 0 5 7 10 0 5 8 20 0 5 9 50 0 5 10 50 0 4 1 0 0 NA 2 10 0 5 3 20 0 5 4 5 0 5 5 10 0 5 SG3 (50 m) 6 50 0 5 7 25 0 5 8 25 0 5 9 25 0 4 10 5 5 4 1 25 0 3 2 40 0 3 3 10 0 3 4 25 0 3 5 15 0 3 SG4 (50 m) 6 5 0 3 7 5 0 3 8 5 0 3 9 5 0 3 10 25 0 3

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 14 Seagrass survey: Raw data (continued)

Dive

Caulerpa

Epiphyte score

Replicate frame grab

Seagrass coverage (%) 1 0 0 NA 2 10 0 2 3 0 0 NA 4 75 0 2 5 80 0 3 6 100 0 2 7 100 0 2 SGR1 (300 m) 8 100 0 2 9 95 0 3 10 95 0 2 11 90 0 2 12 25 0 2 13 5 0 2 14 0 0 NA 15 5 2 1 1 0 0 NA 2 90 0 2 3 90 0 2 4 95 0 2 5 100 0 3 6 95 0 4 7 90 0 3 SGR2 (300 m) 8 80 0 2 9 100 0 2 10 50 0 2 11 15 0 1 12 0 0 NA 13 0 0 NA 14 0 0 NA 15 0 0 NA 1 10 0 4 2 95 0 4 3 100 0 3 4 100 0 2 5 100 0 2 SGR3 (200 m) 6 100 0 2 7 100 0 2 8 50 0 3 9 0 0 NA 10 5 0 2

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 15a Seagrass survey: Images of representative habitats – North Bruny Island sites.

SG1 SG1

SG2 SG2

SG3 SG3

SG4 SG4

MF281 East of Yellow Bluff BLS 2019

Appendix 15b Seagrass survey: Images of representative habitats Adventure Bay sites.

SGR1 SGR1

SGR2 SGR2

SGR3 SGR3