South Tasman Rise

The South Tasman Rise is an area of seafloor that lies 550 km south of Hobart, Tasmania in the Southern Ocean where water depths are about 1,500 metres. The South Tasman Rise is also known as the Tasmania Ridge or South Tasmania Ridge.

Geology

The rise forms a northern extension from the Macquarie-Balleny Ridge which extends to the subantarctic Balleny Islands. To east of the rise is the Tasman Basin, while the South Australian Basin extends westwards, south of the Great Australian Bight. The rise contains a number of seamounts, some of which have flat summits, indicating exposure above the sea surface at some time.[1]

The rise most probably originates from subsided continental crust that fragmented as Australia and Antarctica separated.[2]

This area of the seafloor is slated for exploration of offshore oil reserves. No oil has been recovered from the South Tasman Rise.[3]

Fishery

The rise forms a sector of an international fishery managed by Australia and New Zealand.[4] New Zealand ceased fishing the area in the 2000-01 fishing season. By agreement between New Zealand and Australia the zone has been closed to commercial fishing since 2007. The principal species of fish sought after are the Orange Roughy and Oreo Dory using deepwater demersal trawlers.[5]

Marine reserve

The South Tasman Rise Commonwealth Marine Reserve was declared in 2007.[1] The reserve seek to protect unique environments for marine life which are of significant scientific interest.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "South Tasman Rise Commonwealth Marine Reserve". Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. 29 June 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Glassby, G.P., ed. (1990). "Structure and Tectonics". Antarctic Sector of the Pacific. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Science Publishers. p. 153. ISBN 0-444-88510-2. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  3. ↑ The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2001). Petroleum Provinces of the 21st Century. p. 301. ISBN 0-89181-355-1. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "The Southern Remote Zone – South Tasman Rise Sector". Australian Fisheries Management Authority. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  5. ↑ "South Tasman Rise : At a Glance". Australian Fisheries Management Authority. Retrieved 22 December 2011.

Coordinates: 47°30′S 148°00′E / 47.500°S 148.000°E