Thriving Seagrass Signals Marine Strength

Seagrass is thriving off the Isaac region’s coastline according to the latest monitoring data collected by the Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership.

Researchers have been able to track seagrass condition off Clairview’s coastline for the past seven years, thanks to continued investment from Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty Ltd (DBCT P/L, also known locally as Daly Bay) and Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure (DBI).

Principal Research Scientist at James Cook University’s Centre for Tropical Water and Ecosystems Research (TropWATER), Professor Michael Rasheed has led the collection of seagrass data since monitoring began in 2017.

Using a low-flying helicopter, Professor Rasheed and his team survey at least 145 intertidal sites across three meadows – two along the shoreline, and one at Flock Pigeon Island.

“After seven years of the annual monitoring program, seagrasses in the Southern Inshore Zone are in some of the best condition to date, indicating a healthy marine environment, with water quality and environmental conditions favourable for seagrass growth,” Professor Rasheed said.

“In the latest data, we are seeing some really positive signs with the two mainland meadows recording their highest ever results for area and biomass indicators.

“The southern mainland meadow in particular has shown a continuous expansion in spatial area year-on-year since 2017, which is great to see.”

DBCT P/L Manager of Safety, Risk and Environment Ricci Churchill has experienced the seagrass field work first-hand.

“I was so grateful to join the JCU TropWater scientists as they completed their seagrass surveys a few years ago, and to experience it knowing that the research is possible thanks to funding from DBCT P/L and DBI,” Ms Churchill said.

“At DBCT P/L, we are very proud of our investment into the Southern Inshore Monitoring Program, because prior to 2017 there was no data available for seagrass, coral or water quality in this reporting region.

“Now, after almost a decade of monitoring, we have a strong dataset that continues to grow, and the ability to provide meaningful information to the community about the health of the local marine environment.”

Most recently, DBCT P/L and DBI committed $415,000 to fund the Southern Inshore Monitoring Program for an additional three years, ensuring the collection of data on coral, seagrass and water quality through to June 2026.

DBI Site Manager Tim Ffrost said supporting the monitoring program was a natural fit for DBI.

“Our operator, Daly Bay first introduced the Southern Inshore Monitoring Program to us in 2019, and straight away we saw it was a natural fit, and we were really excited to be involved,” Mr Ffrost said.

“The marine environment is critically important and being able to contribute to ongoing monitoring and data collection of this ecosystem ties back to one of our key objectives of understanding and protecting the condition of our local environment.

“We also see a lot of value in local partnerships because by collaborating and pooling resources like we’ve done with this program, you can achieve greater outcomes for both the environment and the community.”
The latest seagrass grades will be published in the Healthy Rivers to Reef Waterway Health Report Card, due for release in July 2025.

For more information on the Southern Inshore Monitoring program, visit www.healthyriverstoreef.org.au.

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DBCT P/L Manager of Safety, Risk and Environment Ricci Churchill and DBI Site Manager Tim Ffrost look at the latest Southern Inshore results. Photos supplied

JCU TropWATER team Chris Van de Wetering and Professor Michael Rasheed undertaking seagrass field surveys at Clairview

Cinzia Cattaneo, Jaime Newborn (Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership), Professor Michael Rasheed (JCU TropWATER), Ricci Churchill (DBCT P/L), Tim Ffrost (DBI) and Chris Van de Wetering (JCU TropWATER)

JCU TropWATER’s Chris Van de Wetering records seagrass data while up in the helicopter

A helicopter is used to survey the large areas of seagrass off the coast of Clairview

An aerial view of the Southern Inshore Marine zone at high tide

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