Evaluating the Effects of Seismic Energy on Pinctada maxima Pearl Oysters

The impacts of geophysical air-gun array/ seismic surveys on the sustainability of the Pinctada maxima wild stock fishery (mortality, physiology, reproductive output, recruitment) and the ability of exposed oysters to produce market quality pearls has been of increasing concern. Recent studies into the effects of seismic energy on molluscs have demonstrated a number of cumulative and sub-lethal impacts that indicated impairment of immune systems, cellular damage and adverse changes in behaviour. This investment will measure the impact of seismic surveys on wild harvested pearl oysters to provide information that is useful to stakeholders in the pearl production and oil and gas industries and to the managers of these resources.