Seagrass for Snapper – Port Phillip Bay

Seagrass is in decline

Critical seagrass habitats have experienced a steady decline over recent decades along the Western Treatment Plant foreshore in Port Phillip Bay.

These habitats support a diverse range of fish, including juvenile snapper, black bream, King George whiting, southern calamari, flathead, and gummy sharks, along with other invertebrates and marine species.

Seagrass meadows also act to filter pollutants, stabilise sediment, store carbon, provide coastal protection and improve water quality.

What is being done

This project aims to restore the declining Zostera mullerii and Zostera nigricaulis seagrass meadows in Port Phillip Bay.

By establishing an on-site seagrass nursery to propagate seeds and rhizomes, we can rehabilitate degraded areas to restore seagrass habitat for more fish and other marine species, and improve the health of our bay.

How it works

A purpose-built on-site nursery will allow us to grow seagrasses under controlled conditions before they are transplanted into selected areas.

Seagrass meadows go through their life stages very quickly – and are dependent on particular conditions – making seagrass restoration tricky.

Project partners Deakin University will provide scientific expertise in seagrass ecology and restoration techniques, and Melbourne Water will offer monitoring expertise and support to make this possible.

How you can help

We will need help to collect seagrass seeds and rhizomes before they can be grown and transplanted.

We want your help to prepare prepare and install the new seagrass plantings at selected sites when they are ready.