OzFish Central Moreton Bay Chapter worked with Healthy Land and Water and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, to support migratory shore birds and native fish species. This was done by installing and monitoring floating bird roosts.
Ecosystem in Moreton Bay
Research has shown that the primary threat to migratory shorebirds in Moreton Bay is disturbance by humans. High levels of visitation from land and water is having a negative impact on roosting and foraging by shorebirds and subsequently their health.
Floating roosts have been trialed successfully elsewhere in Australia and Healthy Land and Water (HLW), in partnership with OzFish, brought them to locations in Moreton Bay. Through regular monitoring, shorebirds were found to be utilising the roosts.
In addition to creating critical habitat for the birds, through providing a resting place and food source, the roosts also delivered additional benefits by providing habitat for native fish in the area.
The roosts were constructed from floating bags filled with oyster shell from the OzFish Shellfish Recycling Centre in Moreton Bay. As well as providing a roost for shorebirds, the bags recruited oyster spat, crabs and algae, all of which will provide shelter and food for fish in the water. There was good shellfish and invertebrate recruitment in the oyster shell baskets, with an average of 3 baby oysters per shell.
A community effort
The four main phases of the project were coordinated with HLW, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation (KKPAC), and other stakeholders. This involved building the roosts, installing them in the approved locations, monitoring and maintaining them and then the removal.
The project was funded by Healthy Land and Water, and supported by Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.
