Seagrass, algae and macro-invertebrate survey for proposed channel extension in the Port of Weipa
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[Extract] North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) is the organisation responsible for the management and monitoring of Weipa’s port environment. NQBP has recognised that benthic habitats including seagrass, algae and benthic invertebrates are ecologically important and environmentally sensitive. NQBP is proposing to lengthen and widen the access channel to the Port of Weipa to provide improved and safe access for shipping to the port. NQBP is committed to maintaining the health of the marine environment within the port limits and to assist in this process NQBP commissioned the Marine Ecology Group (MEG) (Department Employment, Economic Development and Innovation) to undertake a benthic investigation of the access channel as part of a range of environmental studies to be conducted for the project. In 2004 the MEG conducted a similar benthic survey for NQBP as part of the channel widening project that occurred. The 2004 survey found that the area adjacent to the channel was dominated by open substrate with occasional presence of low cover seagrass, algae and benthic macro-invertebrates (Roelofs et al. 2004). Our aim was to conduct a benthic survey describing seagrass, algae and other habitat forming benthic communities adjacent to the access channel in the proposed area of channel expansion. This survey was conducted in conjunction with the regular 2011 long-term seagrass monitoring survey. The specific objectives of the survey were to: 1. Map the distribution and abundance of seagrass, algae and other habitat forming benthic macro-invertebrate (BMI) fauna within and adjacent to the access channel and the areas targeted for capital dredging to extend the current shipping channel; and 2. Provide a map, GIS layer and summary report of the results. This report presents a summary of the benthic survey results conducted in the Port of Weipa access channel and proposed channel extension area conducted in August 2011.
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9
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Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI)
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Cairns, QLD, Australia
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