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A chance encounter of the seedling kind

17/4/2023

12 Comments

 
Picture
“All in a good cause” said one “Blue Carbon” researcher. Photo: Blue Carbon Lab, Deakin University.

​By Neil Daly


WEDNESDAY 12 October, 2022.  The rain was pelting down; the wind had destroyed my flimsy umbrella but Jason Noonan and I had a job to do: counting mangroves as part of the citizen scientist mangrove restoration program we had just started. 

On such a day, only the dedicated or the fool-hardy would be walking along the Queensferry foreshore.  Perhaps we were both, so it was a surprise to see three, wet-weather-protected figures in the gloomy distance.
We eyed them suspiciously.  They were armed with a rectangular mesh frame and what looked like a satellite ground positioning device.  Threatening perhaps, but who were they?
It turned out they were from Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab. 

Dr Stacey Trevathan-Tackett introduced the team and described how they were trialling the use of biodegradable structures (the mesh frame) as part of their work to help restore degraded coastal wetlands in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port.  Known as Regenerating Our Coasts and partnered with Beach Energy, it is a three-year project undertaking research to help restore blue carbon ecosystems and accelerate coastal restoration.  The capture and storage of carbon dioxide by coastal wetlands, mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass is known as blue carbon. 

As the conversation continued, it seemed like this encounter was meant to be.

It was apparent that our mangrove project could now offer the local community the chance to work with the scientists and help them develop their nature-based research project and expand Queensferry’s carbon capture potential.

The next time we met, the Blue Carbon Lab team was deploying the mesh frames.  It was November 2022; the weather was a little kinder.
PictureThank goodness, Mum still washes my clothes, quipped one of the researchers. Photo: Neil Daly
The frames will be used to hold the mangrove seeds in place.  Over a period as the seeds develop into seedlings, it’s envisaged the frames, made from potato starch, will decompose.  How long this will take in the Queensferry environment is yet to be determined, but hopefully they will last long enough to ensure the seedlings take root and enable them to withstand heavy seas and, at times, storm surges.

Across December 2022 and January 2023, the Deakin team collected mangrove seeds from the foreshore and placed them in the frames.  They planted 960 seeds. 
PictureIf you see these structures set out along the foreshore at low tide,
please don't disturb them or their trial markers.
Photo: Blue Carbon Lab, Deakin University
Inspecting the site about eleven weeks after the last planting, Dr Trevathan-Tackett said, “We are excited to see seedlings beginning to grow through the structures.  But they have a long way to go, and so do we in terms of trialling different approaches to maximise what this method can do”. 

Dr Trevathan-Tackett is right in saying they have a long way to go, for it’s now over 20 years that experimental mangrove restoration programs have been taking place along the eastern arm of Western Port – from Lang Lang to Tenby Point.

​Unfortunately, those undertaking this work have not been able to demonstrate the feasibility of growing mangroves on a large-scale basis along this coastline and this is the crux of the problem.


PictureIt can take up to ten years for a mangrove to reach a metre in height. Photo: Neil Daly
Compounding the problem is the fact that when planted either as seeds or seedlings, the mangrove attrition rate is high and progression to maturity for those left takes many years.  Add to this the piecemeal funding grants and the reliance on the efforts of various players to somehow solve the issue has created a conundrum.

There is a pressing need to come up with a solution for time is no longer on our side. 

To address the issue, I propose Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab initiates a Mangrove Restoration Symposium without delay.

The invitation list should include Melbourne Water, The University of Melbourne, Western Port Seagrass Partnership, Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Bass Coast Landcare Network and OzFish. 

In various ways, these organisations have been involved in mangrove restoration and research projects for many years now, and it seems prudent that their work and Deakin University’s blue carbon project be discussed in an open forum with a view to finding a united way forward.  Its outcome should include:
  • a fully-costed mangrove implementation business plan underpinned by measureable outcomes;
  • a timetable of events and expected finishing dates for the nominated projects;
  • a proposal to involve coastal landholders and farmers whose land is already, or potentially, a wetland or saltmarsh environment;
  • a compliance and assurance reporting process; and  
  • a proposed funding arrangement taking into account things such as the Nature Repair Market Exposure Draft and The Accounting for Nature Framework.

​The catalyst for my call to action is climate change.

The Federal Government and the Victorian State Government should note the situation, for until there are many hectares of mangroves growing along the eastern arm of Western Port, the blue carbon project in this region may remain a goal that never delivers its intended outcome.  ​

12 Comments
Joy Button
21/4/2023 03:36:53 pm

Congratulations Neil and Jason on all the work that you are doing to propagate thr mangroves.
We were very lucky to have Jason Noonan and Neil speak at the Waterline Living Library and everyone was truly amazed to hear of the work being undertaken to propagate the mangroves and they left at the end of the day with many wanting to help.
The work you are doing is absolutely incredible and one cannot help but be in total awe of the voluntary work that these two quiet, remarkable and dedicated men are doing.

Reply
Anne Heath Mennell
22/4/2023 04:10:07 pm

I couldn't put it any better, Joy!

Go Neil and Jason and I wish you luck in making your Symposium happen. Would it help to get the relevant parts of other universities involved, as well as Deakin? As well as expertise, they might also be aware of funding opportunities and/or have PhD students looking for research opportunities.

Reply
Jen Rutherford
24/4/2023 09:23:51 pm

This is a great idea. Is it being considered by Deakin uni? 'To address the issue, I propose Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab initiates a Mangrove Restoration Symposium without delay.

The invitation list should include Melbourne Water, The University of Melbourne, Western Port Seagrass Partnership, Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Bass Coast Landcare Network and OzFish.'

Reply
Neil Daly
26/4/2023 09:29:57 pm

Thanks Jen. I’ve contacted the nominated organisations. The Bass Coast Landcare Network has responded and supports the symposium suggestion. A PhD student undertaking mangrove research for The University of Melbourne would like to attend the forum. Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab has requested additional information.

Reply
Neil Daly
28/4/2023 01:44:30 pm

Melbourne Water has expressed interest in attending a Mangrove Restoration Symposium.

Reply
Joy Button
28/4/2023 02:45:46 pm

Excellent work Neil and Jason.
You are both just so amazing with your dedication and your hard work and determination is now being acknowledged. Well done.

Neil Daly
6/5/2023 05:53:26 pm

I can report the stakeholders listed in the article are now holding preliminary discussions about the proposed symposium. At this stage, Melbourne Water and the Western Port Biosphere Foundation are gathering responses with a view to developing an agenda for the symposium.

Reply
Joy Button
6/5/2023 07:14:55 pm

Well done Neil.... I admire all that you do and your quiet persistence to try for a good outcome.

Reply
Barbara Oates
9/5/2023 09:26:17 am

Hats off to Neil and Jason for the incredible work they have undertaken and as a result the positive outcomes we are seeing through mangrove planting.
Neil you are also educating community around the bigger picture and the need to work collaboratively with all stakeholders.
I support the proposal that Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab initiates a Mangrove Restoration Symposium and it seems by the comments above some of the major players are doing the same.

Reply
Neil Daly
9/5/2023 11:55:00 am

Thanks Barbara and working “collaboratively” is the key. From the political perspective, the Victorian Greens are interested in helping to promote the symposium; just waiting on the Government and the Opposition to complete the ‘cooperative triangle’.

Reply
Joy Button
9/5/2023 06:21:43 pm

Barbara agree totally that Jason and Neil are working as an incredible team getting the word out and drawing in the people that they need to help them so the plantings. Admire all that they do and hoping to get the chance to help plant out some mangroves to support and help these two fabulous men achieve their goals.
Their work to gain cooperation from Melbourne Water and the symposium is proof their hard work and determination. We all need to stand up and support and help these men to plant the mangroves.

Neil Daly
16/5/2023 03:03:16 pm

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has responded on behalf of the Hon Ingrid Stitt MP, Minister for Environment; still waiting to hear from the Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change.

Reply



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