Port of Weipa long-term seagrass monitoring program: 2000 - 2021

Monitoring in 2021 found seagrasses in the Port of Weipa were in good condition. o Monitoring meadows were almost all in good or very good condition for all three indicators measured (species composition, area and biomass). Species composition in meadow A6 was satisfactory. o The area of seagrass meadows in the region closest to the port (in the Intensive Monitoring Area (IMA)) was one of the highest recorded in the 20-year monitoring program history. o Seagrass biomass in the intertidal Halodule uninervis meadows (A3, A5) was the highest recorded since monitoring began in 2000. • Seagrass across the broader port area (including Pine River Bay,Embley, Hey and Mission Rivers) was in similar condition to previous years with no notable changes. • Light conditions were above the threshold for seagrass growth and survival throughout most of the year, with the exception of an expected period during the wet season. • Favourable climate conditions for multiple years has led to greater seagrass cover across the port and the overall good condition of Weipa’s seagrass in 2021. • The continued healthy state of Weipa’s seagrass in 2021 means they should be resilient to planned maintenance dredging activities in 2022.

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