Monitoring

The DPA maintains a number of monitoring programs that are designed to assist with improving environmental management of port operations through a better understanding of changes in environmental parameters. At present, these monitoring programs include:

Monitoring of physical properties of marine waters at a number of locations (monitoring map) within the port on a quarterly basis. The purpose of this program is to determine if there are long term trends in changing physical properties of marine waters that may impact coral communities within the port.

Monitoring for potential contaminants in the stormwater drains in the King Bay Industrial Estate. A range of industries operate in the King Bay industrial estate which is located on port land.  Monitoring of the stormwater drains which discharge into the King Bay marine environment, will provide information that can assist with management of industry operations in this area.

Rainfall monitoring. The DPA monitors weather patterns and current weather conditions as a source of information for shipping movements and port users within the Port of Dampier. Due to the variance in rainfall at Karratha airport and on DPA land, the DPA monitors rainfall on a daily basis on port land.

Research

The DPA sponsors ongoing scientific research designed to support management of operations to assist with planning developments to protect the port environment in accordance with the DPAs policy and legislative requirements.

The DPA maintains a register of all research being undertaken in the port and encourages organisations to contribute to the scientific knowledge of the region in a coordinated approach through the DPA.

Over the operating life of the port of Dampier, the area has been subject to a broad range of scientific studies. The DPA has developed a regional scientific studies database which enables searches to be readily undertaken for specific fields of interest.