Seagrass restoration set to reseed a million more seeds into Cockburn Sound
Fishing conservation charity OzFish Unlimited has launched the 2020 Seeds for Snapper program with a weekend of seagrass restoration activities. Now in its third year, the annual program will commence again in November with the charity calling on the community for help.
OzFish CEO and Founder Craig Copeland said only 15 percent of seagrass meadows of Cockburn Sound remain, but the organisation is on a mission to change that.
“The Seeds for Snapper project in Cockburn Sound has an ambitious goal to restore 1 hectare of habitat with 1 million seeds every year and help bring back a once thriving ecosystem,” Mr Copeland said.
“We cannot do this alone – we need volunteers to step up and help. We need boat fishers in particular but also invite families to get involved. Everyone is welcome,” said Mr Copeland.
Volunteers will help collect seagrass fruit and bring it to shore for preparation and then again help disperse the seed it in specified locations.
This project is supported by Recfishwest and was made possible by the WA Government’s Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund and ongoing funding from BCF – Boating Camping and Fishing.
Seagrass are specialised marine plants which are vitally important habitats and nursery areas for countless marine organisms, including pink snapper, blue swimmer crabs, prawns, western rock lobster, whiting, tailor, herring and squid.
Dr John Statton from UWA’s Oceans Institute explained that Seagrass grows very slowly, sending out runners like grass only a few centimetres per year.
“Around November each year, like our backyard veggie patch, Seagrass meadows flower, producing fruit which is released and floats to the sea surface,” he said.
“This fruit, resembling a banana flower contains the seed. As the fruit splits, dropping the seed, tiny sail like structures on the seeds allows them to spread with the current.
“As much as 97 percent of these seeds end up in areas where they cannot grow, where the water is too deep, not allowing enough light through or more commonly washed up on the shore,” said Dr Statton.
Fishers and boat owners are critical in locating and collecting seagrass fruit before it drops its seed.
Boaties launching from Woodman Point Boat Ramp are asked to look out for program volunteers who will be offering scoop nets and buckets to collect fruit.
The collected seeds will then be agitated in salt-water tanks until they are ready for dispersing in areas experiencing habitat loss.
“We’re just giving a helping hand to mother nature to ensure these precious seeds get to the right places,” Mr Copeland said.
Interested volunteers can attend a community information session at The Fremantle Sailing Club on October 17 at 6pm to find out how to get involved.
The Seeds For Snapper Seagrass weekend will be held on November 20 – 22 and will involve the following events and activities.
Seed Collection Dive
Qualified volunteers divers can help collect seagrass fruit.
Friday 20 November | 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Woodman Point, Dog Beach Coogee
Family Seeding Day
Come and enjoy a free family fun day and help dispense Seagrass seeds.
Saturday 21 November | 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Cockburn Power Boat Club, Woodman Point
Seagrass Garden Party
Bring your flippers, mask and snorkel and come along to help sow seagrass seeds around Omeo wreck.
Sunday 22 November | 10:30 am
Omeo Dive Trail