WA’s marine environments are exceptional. Our assessments match them.
Western Australia's marine environment is one of the most ecologically significant on earth — encompassing the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, the extraordinary seagrass meadows of Shark Bay, the diverse coral communities of the Rowley Shoals and Scott Reef, extensive coastal wetlands and estuaries, and a vast Indian Ocean coastline that supports exceptional marine biodiversity including numerous EPBC Act listed species and ecological communities. For developers, infrastructure proponents, port operators, dredging contractors and offshore industry operators working in or near WA's coastal and marine environments, the ecological values at stake are significant — and the regulatory framework that protects them is exacting. Trace Ecology's marine biologists are equipped to assess those values rigorously and help clients navigate that framework with confidence.
We deliver marine ecological assessments for port and coastal developers, dredging operators, offshore infrastructure proponents, aquaculture operators, local governments and government agencies across WA's coastline and marine jurisdiction. Our assessments provide the baseline ecological data, impact evaluation and regulatory documentation needed to satisfy the EPA, the Department of Transport, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the EPBC Act requirements for projects affecting marine environments.
Our marine ecological assessments cover the full range of habitat types and biological communities present in WA's coastal and marine environments. We conduct seagrass meadow assessments — mapping the distribution, species composition, density and condition of seagrass communities using a combination of underwater visual census, photoquadrat sampling and drop camera surveys. Seagrass is a matter of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act, and our assessments are structured to meet the Commonwealth's assessment requirements for seagrass-impacting proposals.
We assess coral communities and reef habitats — evaluating coral cover, species composition, structural complexity and condition using standardised transect and point-intercept methodologies. We conduct fish assemblage surveys, invertebrate community assessments and marine megafauna surveys — including dugong, whale, dolphin, sea turtle and sawfish surveys in areas where these EPBC Act listed species are present or likely. Our marine water quality monitoring and sediment assessment capabilities support impact assessments for dredging, reclamation and coastal construction projects.
For offshore and deepwater projects, Trace Ecology works with specialist partners to extend our assessment capability into environments beyond standard dive access — integrating remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveys, drop camera arrays and hydroacoustic survey data into comprehensive marine ecological assessment programmes.
Trace Ecology is a division of Trace Enterprises — Perth's only fully integrated heritage, environmental and planning consultancy.
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Every heritage and environmental project starts with the right conversation.
Whatever your heritage or environmental project needs, Trace Archaeology and Trace Ecology is ready to help. Talk to our team today — no obligation.