Cockburn echoes worries

The Cockburn Sound Management Council is undertaking a review of seagrass monitoring and reporting.

The Cockburn Sound Management Council has echoed concerns about the seagrass Posidonia sinuosa, following the announcement last week by University of Western Australia researcher Gary Kendrick that it was at risk of extinction.

The council said there was enough scientific knowledge available to undertake a concerted and long-term seagrass restoration program.

Chairwoman Kateryna Longley said to prevent any further loss of long-lived seagrasses including Posidonia sinuosa in Cockburn Sound it was important to allocate funds for restoring significant amounts of previously lost seagrass meadows.

Professor Longley said there was evidence that meadows less than 20ha of a related seagrass, Posidonia australis, could be transplanted or restored now.

‘‘This is based on the scientific a l l y peer-reviewed work published by Professor Eric Paling from Murdoch University (2009).

‘‘While this is not the same species as sinuosa, it lives in Cockburn Sound in the same areas.’’

Professor Longley said Posidonias sinuosa and australis were often found close together.

Despite subtle differences in ecological functions and services, they were generally very similar in that they stabilised the seabed and enhanced food and fish production.

She said the council was undertaking a review of seagrass monitoring and reporting, with the Environment Protection Authority and Department of Environment and Conservation, to address recommendations in a recent Auditor-General’s report.

‘‘The outcome of this review will determine how monitoring can be improved to better report on the health of seagrass in Cockburn and Warnbro sounds and Owen Anchorage,’’ she said.

While seagrasses in Mangles Bay and along a small part of the eastern shore of Garden Island were not in good health, Professor Longley said, their extent and density had generally remained steady over the past ten years.

The council was pursuing ways to improve their condition including better surface drainage, stopping nutrient plumes and restoration nearby.