Seagrass surveys in the lower Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland (Old ID 29024)

Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW)
Role

Chief Investigator

Description

The proposed work is for marine habitat mapping in the in the Thuwathu/Bujimulla Indigenous Protected Area (TBIPA). Benthic habitats for this area have not been surveyed for more than 15 years and so it is considered a high priority for a comprehensive survey. This will expand the scope (i.e. coverage) of planned benthic habitat surveys currently funded by Parks Australia for the Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park (GOCMP) into the adjacent IPA. Therefore, the proposed project is supported by Parks Australia who have confirmed that this work is outside the scope of their funded work, but complements and enhances their work program given the importance of this area for marine turtle and dugong foraging and to the Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaiadilt and Gangalida Peoples. Funding will be used to procure a helicopter for surveying intertidal areas, and for staff time to undertake the surveys, process the data and deliver the outcomes including a ‘baseline’ map on which rangers can continue to monitor benthic habitat condition and to improve their negotiation on resource condition and use with other stakeholders in the region.

Date

15 Jun 2023 - 01 May 2024

Project Type

CONTRACT_RESEARCH

Keywords

Seagrass;Mapping;Intertidal;Benthic Habitat;Gulf of Carpentaria

Funding Body

Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW)

Amount

71818.18

Project Team

Megan Proctor;Catherine Collier