Outcome:	2	Question No:	25	
Output:	2.2	
Division/Agency:	Australian Antarctic Division	
Topic:	Japanese Gov – Antarctic Negotiations	
Hansard Page ECITA:	31 (28 May)	

Senator Siewert asked:
Senator SIEWERT—Could you tell me, therefore, what that money has been specifically used for in those programs, and has that been negotiated with Japan?
Ms Mudie—I would have to take that on notice.
Senator SIEWERT—if there has been an agreement with Japan about what will be studied with that money?
Ms Mudie—No. It is still under negotiation. I am happy to provide the information we can on notice.

Answers:
The money received from the Japanese Antarctic program will be used to offset the direct costs of the resupply of the Japanese Antarctic station, Syowa, and any other costs incurred by the AAD as a result of conducting the resupply.  If there is any revenue over and above that required to cover the costs of the resupply it will be consolidated into the annual appropriation of the AAD and not used for a specific purpose. 

There is no agreement with Japan on the use of any income for science programs.

Outcome:	2	Question No:	26	
Output:	2.2	
Division/Agency:	Australian Antarctic Division	
Topic:	Australian Centre for Applied Marine Mammal Science	
Hansard Page ECITA:	34 (28 May)	

Senator Siewert asked:
Maybe I am not reading the budget documents correctly, but could you tell me how much money has been allocated to the Australian Centre for Applied Marine Mammal Science?
Mr Sutton—We will take that on notice and respond to you on that.
Mr Borthwick—We should be able to get that advice today.
…Mr Borthwick—I know this is Antarctic and it is undertaken, but I suspect the people in the department who know that are in the Marine and Biodiversity Division, because they pull together all the material relating to whaling.
Senator SIEWERT—Does that not come under Antarctic science?
Mr Borthwick—It does, but it would be coordinated from another area of the department. We will find out the answer over the course of the day.
Senator SIEWERT—If they are listening, could they give me a list of the projects that have been decided for this year.
Senator Wong—Funded out of the centre? Under CERF funding?
Senator SIEWERT—Yes, under the centre. What are the projects that have been approved, if they have been, for 2008-09 and, if they do not have the projects, can they tell me the priorities that they will be funding under the program?
Ms Mudie—Yes, we can do that.
…
Senator SIEWERT—Is that work carried out under the Australian Centre for Applied Marine Mammal Science or is it done separately?
Ms Mudie—I will have to take that one on notice. From my understanding, some work is undertaken through the CERF funds, but I do not know the specifics of that, so I would have to get that answer for you. And, of course, the Antarctic Division undertakes a lot of science, both internally and through external grants. Yes, some of that does relate to whales, and some of our scientists do that research themselves in Antarctica.
Senator SIEWERT—Yes, okay. I understand that I am getting the information from the centre shortly. What I am trying to find out is who does the science and the cooperative work with Japan under the IWC’s auspices?
Ms Mudie—I will get that answer for you.

Answer:

Budget Allocation for the Australian Marine Mammal Centre 
(formerly the Australian Centre for Applied Marine Mammal Science)

Budget for 2006/07
Commonwealth Environment Research Fund - $531,822
Natural Heritage Trust - $375,000
Australian Antarctic Division (in-kind support) - $1,010,824
TOTAL: $1,917,646

Budget for 2007/08
Commonwealth Environment Research Fund - $718,178
Natural Heritage Trust - $361,090
Australian Antarctic Division (in-kind support) - $1,000,000
TOTAL: $2,079,268

Budget for 2008/09
Commonwealth Environment Research Fund - $750,000
Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts - $1,000,000
Australian Antarctic Division (in-kind support) - $1,000,000
TOTAL: $2,750,000

The Australian Marine Mammal Centre and Antarctic Science
The Australian Marine Mammal Centre (AMMC) is a Commonwealth Environment Research Fund (CERF) funded Research Hub. The AMMC also receives funding and in-kind support from the Australian Antarctic Division and other contributors. It is hosted by, and located at the Australian Antarctic Division in Tasmania. The AMMC funding is for research in the Australasian region, including the waters of the Indian, Southern and South Pacific Oceans.

Projects Approved for 2008/09
No projects have yet been approved for 2008/09.
A summary of key needs and priorities for 2008/09 are at attachment A.

Work undertaken by the Australian Marine Mammal Centre
The Australian Marine Mammal Centre funds cetacean research in the Australasian region, including the waters of the Indian, Southern and South Pacific Oceans. Research funds from AAMC are separate to those granted under the Australian Antarctic program. 

Attachment A

Australian Marine Mammal Centre

Key Needs
1.	To develop a decision process for achieving conservation objectives for marine mammals in management and sustainable use planning. In particular, we seek the evaluation of processes, based on expert (qualitative) knowledge, that could be used in a data-poor decision-environment to develop a network of marine management areas for:
a.	dugongs and coastal dolphins in Northern Australia; and
b.	large whales in migratory, breeding and feeding habitats around Australia. 

2.	To review Australia’s monitoring and mitigation management of marine mammal        bycatch, in order to:
a.	provide a comprehensive list of existing known interactions;
b.	assess the coordination and monitoring of data reporting and archiving mechanisms;
c.	provide a qualitative assessment of progress made through existing efforts to ameliorate marine mammal bycatch; and
d.	conduct a gap analysis of existing efforts through consideration of efforts stratified by fishery, region, mitigation approach or taxa.

3.	The development and application of integrated habitat studies using data from archival and telemetry tagging studies that address:
a.	multiple taxa; and
b.	multi-use management of regions of high human activity which overlap with important marine mammal habitats in order to inform conservation planning and management.

Research Priorities 2008/09
•	Quantify the status, dynamics and forcing factors (physical, biological) of marine mammal population structure, distribution and abundance.
a.	Continue and standardise long-term abundance and trend estimation 
b.	Improve genetic and taxonomic distinction of key taxa and their relative distributions 
c.	Improve satellite telemetry studies to define habitat use and linkages between habitats. 
•	Characterise and quantify threats to marine mammal populations, with a focus on understanding the nature and extent of interactions with humans.
a.	Interactions between marine mammals and noise 
b.	Effects of hunting on dugong populations.
c.	Marine mammal-fisheries interactions: Operational.
d.	Marine mammal-fisheries interactions: Ecological.
 
•	Develop risk management and mitigation tools/strategies for marine mammal and human interactions and test their efficacy.
a.	Noise
b.	Fisheries
c.	Hunting
 
•	Develop powerful, new, non-lethal technologies and methodologies (e.g. molecular, bio-logging, remote sensing) that best address the above objectives.

Outcome:	2	Question No:	33	
Output:	2.2	
Division/Agency:	Australian Antarctic Division	
Topic:	AAD advice on ecological and biodiversity issues	
Hansard Page ECITA:	46 (28 May)	

Senator ALLISON asked: 
—Yes, I understand that, Minister. I am trying to get at what the Antarctic Division does by way of contribution to the advice which comes to you.
Ms Mudie—We will get that specific information for you. We have got people listening. We will see if we can get that to you shortly. The specific science that is actually addressing those particular issues and the number of scientists is what you require?
Senator ALLISON—Yes, and what they do, really, would be useful; for example, do we know what effect the glacial retreat has in Heard Island on the flora and fauna, amongst other things?

Answers:
The AAD has a group of 19 glaciologists in its Ice, Oceans, Atmosphere and Climate program.  The group is based within the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC at the University of Tasmania in Hobart. Their research is heavily collaborative and engages external researchers and postgraduate students from Australian universities and overseas institutions. This group’s research is focussed principally on climate science and they cover three key areas: the continental Antarctic ice sheet; the sea-ice in the zone surrounding Antarctica; and the records of past climate extracted from ice cores. 

Glacial retreat has created substantial new ice-free ground on Heard Island in recent decades.  It is also leading to the formation of lagoons and freshwater lakes, and exposing new land for colonisation by plants and animals. These landscape changes are likely to change the distribution and abundance of plant and animal species on the island.   

For example, new ice-free ground will allow further space for the fur seal population to haul out and breed, and for native vegetation to expand. However, new ground is also available for colonization by the non-native plant species found on the island, the ‘Winter Grass’ Poa annua.  

Outcome:	2	Question No:	34	
Output:	2.2	
Division/Agency:	Australian Antarctic Division	
Topic:	Antarctic Knowledge	
Hansard Page ECITA:	47 (28 May)	

Senator asked:
Senator ALLISON—Sorry, I know all that. I apologise for interrupting you but I am interested in what has been added to our knowledge about the Antarctic and sea ice in the last three months, given progress in a number of areas which I have already mentioned, which are all in reports in the paper. I am looking for your expert advice on that.

Senator ALLISON—Let me put it this way: a report in March or April said:
... the Antarctic Peninsula is warming faster than anywhere else on Earth—
and that is causing a massive retreat and it could collapse quite quickly. The report at the time said that, if this happens, we will see a global sea-level rise of six metres. This is two months ago. What I am asking you is: what is the latest advice on the likelihood that the Antarctic Peninsula will collapse?

Answer:
The first part of the question asks about sea ice, which is the frozen ocean around Antarctica, and is quite seasonal around most of Antarctica.  Over the past several decades satellite data has revealed a slight decrease in the amount of the sea ice in the Antarctic Peninsula region.  Results show that the length of the ice season has been shortening on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, and around the northern tip, since the early 1980s.  This pattern corresponds with the increase in temperature which has been recorded in this region.  The sea ice extent in this region (and in fact all of Antarctica) is monitored daily by satellites.  The satellite data provides information on extent (the area covered) but not on the thickness of the ice.  There is other indirect evidence of reduction in sea ice around Antarctica over a longer period (50 or more years).

The second part of the question asks about the possibility of a massive collapse of the Antarctic Peninsula.  Satellite images of the Wilkins Ice Shelf are carefully monitored and recent estimates are that up to 1350 square kilometres of the ice shelf has broken up and drifted away as icebergs.  This includes an unexpected winter collapse.  The exact cause of this is not known.  Increasing temperatures in the region over the past decades may have played a long-term role, however the sudden collapse may have more do with recent earthquakes in the region, summer melt water trickling down through the ice, reduced sea ice cover and a later onset of ice cover, or a combination of factors.  
The collapse of the ice shelf itself does not impact sea level because the ice shelf is already floating.  As floating ice melts it does not contribute to further sea level rise, in the same way that an ice cube floating in a full glass of water will not cause the water to spill over the rim of the glass at it melts.  However, following the collapse of the Larsen B Ice Shelf in 2003, increased glacier flow (of up to 10 times the flow rate) was reported from glaciers feeding into the ice shelf, and this will ultimately affect sea level.  The collapse of more ice shelves in the region cannot be ruled out.  

Ice sheets differ from ice shelves as sheets are anchored to the land and shelves float in the sea.   Ice constantly flows from sheets to become shelves (via glaciers) and when a glacier  reaches the sea it will cause an immediate displacement of sea water (a rise in sea level), but it will have no further effect on sea level as it collapses, becomes ice bergs and eventually melts.  

Estimates of the total sea level rise from the loss of the west Antarctic ice sheet are of the order of 5-7 metres. 

Outcome:	2	Question No:	36	
Output:	2.2	
Division/Agency:	Australian Antarctic Division	
Topic:	Whaling	
Hansard Page ECITA:	32 (29 May) 	

Senator Johnston asked:
When did we agree to lease the Aurora Australis?
Ms Petrachenko—I cannot speak to that. I would have to take that on notice; I am not involved.
Senator JOHNSTON—Mr Borthwick?
Mr Borthwick—No, I do not know that but, as indicated yesterday, I think an MOU/contract—I am not sure what the words were—was still being discussed.
Senator JOHNSTON—We have not done it yet?
Mr Borthwick—That is my understanding.
Senator JOHNSTON—I want to know precisely—and this is very, very crucial and important—what safeguards, prohibitions, padlocks, chains we have on this Japanese research such that it will not go to their whaling industry. Tell me about them please.
Mr Borthwick—This question really relates to the Antarctic Division. My elaboration from the director of the Antarctic Division was in response to questions Senator Siewert made before, but might I make a general observation—

Answer:
Initial discussions between the Australian Antarctic Division and the Japanese National Institute for Polar Research on providing Aurora Australis to assist with the resupply of Syowa station commenced in December 2005.  An MOU was signed in September 2007 to provide a framework for more detailed discussions that are currently underway.

Outcome:	2	Question No:	37	
Output:	2.2	
Division/Agency:	Australian Antarctic Division	
Topic:	Research undertaken on Aurora Australis	
Hansard Page ECITA:	38 (29 May)	

Senator Siewert asked:
Senator SIEWERT—With regard to the projects that were carried out on the vessel, did Australia agree with Japan on what they were, or did Japan just say, ‘This is what we want to do’?
Mr Borthwick—I do not have information about that other than to say that Australian Antarctic Division staff will be managing and supporting the voyage. I will have to take that notice about what that science would be.
Mr Borthwick—I have indicated in terms of the statement from Dr Press what the science will be on the voyage. I am unable to tell you about what role Australians will be playing in that particular science. In terms of the $9 million, you are right—there was about one-third for departmental purposes and two-thirds for scientific purposes. Part of that will go to the operational requirements of the voyage; the other part will go into the general scientific program. I do not think—but if I check up and find differently I will correct the record—you will be able to separate out the science that that will go into from the general science that is undertaken by the Antarctic Division. It is just going into the pool of funding that is available for scientific activity.

Answer:
The research activities are jointly agreed by the National Institute of Polar Research and the AAD, and supervised by an AAD Principal Research Scientist who will be the science leader on board Aurora Australis.

The main research activity is the towing of continuous plankton recorders (CPR) as part of the International Southern Ocean CPR Survey monitoring plankton for climate change.  This survey involves a number of Antarctic Treaty nations, and was developed and is led by the AAD, specifically by the Principal Research Scientist who will be supervising all science on board Aurora Australis. Other research will involve daily plankton net hauls across the Southern Ocean (for very small plankton to complement the CPR work) as well as oceanographic casts at the same locations to measure physical and chemical properties of the water, again for climate change studies.

Outcome:	2	Question No:	38	
Output:	2.2	
Division/Agency:	Australian Antarctic Division	
Topic:	Funding for Research - AAD	
Hansard Page ECITA:	38 (29 May)	

Senator Siewert asked:
Senator SIEWERT—What are the science projects that are being funded under this once-off injection of funding for science?
Mr Borthwick—You are talking about the moneys listed in the footnote on this. We will have to get back to you, but I will repeat what I said: I think those monies are going into a general scientific bucket which will be available for a whole host of scientific activity that is undertaken.

Answer:
The money received from the Japanese Antarctic program will be used to offset the direct costs of the resupply of the Japanese Antarctic station, Syowa and any other costs incurred by the AAD as a result of conducting the resupply.  If there is any revenue over and above that required to cover the costs of the resupply it will be consolidated into the annual appropriation of the AAD and not used for a specific purpose. 

There is no agreement with Japan on the use of any income for science programs.

Outcome:	2	Question No:	39	
Output:	2.2	
Division/Agency:	Australian Antarctic Division	
Topic:	Research Vessel	
Hansard Page ECITA:	39 (29 May)	

Senator Parry asked:
These are the questions we need on notice:
(a)	who will be in command of the vessel; 
(b)	who will be directing the research activities; 
(c)	who will be directing the research activity geographical area where the ship will be traversing; and 
(d)	will the Japanese have any control over the frequency and the scheduling of trips in relation to supply? Primarily this is a supply ship, which will be engaged in research work.
(e)	I do not know whether the question was asked by Senator Siewert, but what is the breakdown of Australian to Japanese scientists—the ratio?

Answers:
(a)	The vessel will be commanded by the Ship’s Master, an Australian who will be employed by P&O Maritime Services under contract to the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). An AAD staff member will act as Voyage Leader on the voyage.

(b)	The research activities are jointly agreed by the National Institute of Polar Research and the AAD, and supervised by an AAD Principal Research Scientist who will be the science leader on board Aurora Australis.

The main research activity is the towing of continuous plankton recorders (CPR) as part of the International Southern Ocean CPR Survey monitoring plankton for climate change.  This survey involves a number of Antarctic Treaty nations, and was developed and is led by the AAD, specifically by the Principal Research Scientist who will be supervising all science on board Aurora Australis. Other research will involve daily plankton net hauls across the Southern Ocean (for very small plankton to complement the CPR work) as well as oceanographic casts at the same locations to measure physical and chemical properties of the water, again for climate change studies.

(c)	The route of the ship will be jointly agreed upon. It is intended that the ship will follow the same set route which has been traversed by the Japanese resupply /research vessel every year for the last three decades.

(d)	There will be only one voyage. The timing of this voyage has been jointly agreed and is based on the optimal time to approach the Japanese station with respect to ice and weather as well as the other demands on the ship by the AAD during the summer.

(e)	An AAD Principal Research Scientist (a plankton ecologist specialising in climate change studies) will be the chief scientist leading the joint Australian-Japanese research on board ship.  There will be a Japanese counterpart, another plankton expert who has worked with AAD.  In addition there will be 3 to 5 Australian marine science technicians on board, providing support for oceanographic analysis and analysis of seawater.  The number of Australian marine scientists/technicians will exceed the number of Japanese marine scientists.  There will be other Japanese scientists on board, i.e. physicists, chemists, terrestrial biologist and meteorologists, who are members of the Syowa station team and not involved in the marine science.

Outcome:	2	Question No:	40	
Output:	2.2	
Division/Agency:	Australian Antarctic Division	
Topic:	Research Vessel	
Hansard Page ECITA:	No 45 (29 May)	

Senator Siewert asked:
How can we be assured that there will not be any communication between the Japanese who are doing work on the ship and those who, at the same time, have their whaling vessels in that region?

Answer:
Aurora Australis will be operating in a different part of the Southern Ocean to Japanese whaling vessels. The Japanese scientists onboard are conducting baseline research into the oceanography and biology of the Southern Ocean jointly with Australian counterparts. The Japanese scientists are from different institutions to those associated with whaling. There is no information to suggest that the Japanese onboard Aurora Australis will have any information of value to communicate to the Japanese whaling fleet that may be of any direct or indirect benefit. Communications from Aurora Australis will be under Australian control but there is no intention to monitor any of that communication.