Sowing seeds in Port Philip Bay
Beyond its aesthetic appeal and ecological richness, seagrass habitats serve as intricate ecosystems crucial for the survival of numerous fish species. By providing shelter, nursery areas, and abundant food sources, restored seagrass meadows offer a lifeline for native fish, promoting their growth, reproduction, and overall resilience.
Regrettably, factors like severe weather and human activity have led to the loss of over 1,500km2 of seagrass cover in the past century – that’s more than 200,000 football fields. This decline has directly affected fish populations across the Central Coast of Victoria and triggered a ripple effect up the food chain, impacting fisheries across the broader area. However, good news awaits anglers in Port Phillip Bay as a new Seagrass restoration project is expected to enhance populations of sought-after species like the southern calamari and the prized red snapper.
OzFish is partnering with BMD and Melbourne Water for a pilot project to restore seagrass in front of the Werribee Treatment Plant, between Werribee River and Little River. This initiative will create favourable conditions for vital fish species to thrive, offering significant benefits to both recreational and commercial fishing activities, while improving the overall marine ecosystem’s health.
OzFish’s extensive experience with community seagrass restoration projects across Australia has provided valuable insights and data to guide this new project. The pilot will test different seagrass restoration methods, with seeded-sand bags the most common approach currently used. This is where sandbags containing seagrass seeds are strategically deployed in targeted areas. Volunteers play a crucial role by collecting seeds that wash up on the beach, participating in seagrass processing workshops to prepare the seagrass seeds, and ultimately deploying the seeds either by hand, boat, or diver, depending on the final location.
Andy Foudoulis, OzFish Project Manager Victoria, emphasises the importance of community engagement in caring for local waterways.
“We’ve witnessed remarkable outcomes in seagrass restoration through the active participation of anglers taking on the role of citizen scientists.”
“Community involvement from start to finish offers a hands-on opportunity to make a real difference.
“If you’re interested in helping our favourite fish species repopulate in Port Phillip Bay, we’d love to hear from you.”
said Andy.
The collaborative approach not only restores seagrass habitats but also fosters a sense of ownership and stewardship among local communities for their marine environments. This project will provide future generations the opportunity to cherish the Bay, and perhaps even catch a few more red snapper!
To get involved in seagrass restoration in Port Phillip Bay, contact Andy Foudoulis, OzFish Project Manager Victoria, by calling 1800 431 308 or emailing info@ozfish.org.au.
Keep an eye out for upcoming events on our events page. Or you can even go one step further by becoming a member of one of the local OzFish Chapters!
