- Published on
By Neil Daly
In my article A chance encounter of the seedling kind, I called for a Western Port Mangrove Restoration Symposium as a matter of urgency as, over the past 20 years or so, many attempts by various agencies to increase the number of mangrove stands in parts of Western Port had failed. I finished by saying 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 will not achieve its intended outcome.
In my article A chance encounter of the seedling kind, I called for a Western Port Mangrove Restoration Symposium as a matter of urgency as, over the past 20 years or so, many attempts by various agencies to increase the number of mangrove stands in parts of Western Port had failed. I finished by saying 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 will not achieve its intended outcome.
Since then:
“Investing in the health of the UNESCO Western Port Biosphere Reserve is crucial to maintaining Victoria’s precious biodiversity for years to come”, Ms Stitt said.
While it’s commendable that the State Government has finally recognised the environmental significance of Western Port, stakeholders must come to terms with the elephant in the room: figuring out how to plant mangroves in sufficient numbers to curb foreshore erosion of up to one metre per year along the eastern arm of Western Port.
The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Water, Deakin University, Bass Coast Landcare Network and the Western Port Seagrass Partnership have all been involved in mangrove planting, with varying degrees of success.
Given this problem continues to drag on and that the Biosphere is now responsible for implementing the State Government’s investment of $1.2 million in these blue carbon projects, it needs to run a Western Port Mangrove Restoration Symposium and settle the matter.
To coincide with the mangrove planting season starting this December, the symposium outcome should be a fully-costed mangrove planting program based on specific goals that are measureable, objective, achievable, relevant and timely.
Failure to achieve this outcome will likely perpetuate the current situation, imbed the high failure rate of mangrove propagation in this region, diminish the effectiveness of the blue carbon projects and pass on the problem to the next generation.
In terms of the overall project, I trust the blue carbon consortium will be able to state the cost-effectiveness of the proposed decarbonising program for there is another elephant waiting in the wings: climate change modelling suggests there will be sea level rise and inundation of low-lying Western Port areas. If so, how will this affect the current projects and is it time to consider the prospect of a government buy-back of coastal land and let nature run its course?
I hope the State Government and those seeking government will take note of the situation, for the issue will last longer that a four-year term in office and will not be solved by perpetuating piecemeal measures.
- In response to a letter outlining my concerns, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek advised me of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting our coastal ecosystems and the allocation of $30.6 million for “practical action in Australia and the region through the Blue Carbon Conservation, Restoration and Accounting Program”; and
- State Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt indicated the State Government, as part of its program Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037, had allocated $700,000 to the Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation to “plan for on-ground actions to restore blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass), and to support stakeholder and community engagement”.
- On World Mangrove Day, July 26, in response to the State Government’s call to restore blue carbon ecosystems in Western Port, the Biosphere held the inaugural meeting of the “Blue Carbon Planning in Western Port - Stakeholder Working Group”. Made up of representatives from various stakeholders, the group discussed the aims and broad objectives of the project. Further meetings are planned and the project is due to finish in November 2024.
- On August 9, the State Government announced a second grant of $1.2 million to be shared between the Bisophere and the Bunurong Land Council for planning and restoration projects in the Western Port Biosphere Reserve. The aim of this new project is to “improve its marine ecosystem and its growing potential as a major site for blue carbon capture.” No completion date has been given for this venture.
“Investing in the health of the UNESCO Western Port Biosphere Reserve is crucial to maintaining Victoria’s precious biodiversity for years to come”, Ms Stitt said.
While it’s commendable that the State Government has finally recognised the environmental significance of Western Port, stakeholders must come to terms with the elephant in the room: figuring out how to plant mangroves in sufficient numbers to curb foreshore erosion of up to one metre per year along the eastern arm of Western Port.
The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Water, Deakin University, Bass Coast Landcare Network and the Western Port Seagrass Partnership have all been involved in mangrove planting, with varying degrees of success.
Given this problem continues to drag on and that the Biosphere is now responsible for implementing the State Government’s investment of $1.2 million in these blue carbon projects, it needs to run a Western Port Mangrove Restoration Symposium and settle the matter.
To coincide with the mangrove planting season starting this December, the symposium outcome should be a fully-costed mangrove planting program based on specific goals that are measureable, objective, achievable, relevant and timely.
Failure to achieve this outcome will likely perpetuate the current situation, imbed the high failure rate of mangrove propagation in this region, diminish the effectiveness of the blue carbon projects and pass on the problem to the next generation.
In terms of the overall project, I trust the blue carbon consortium will be able to state the cost-effectiveness of the proposed decarbonising program for there is another elephant waiting in the wings: climate change modelling suggests there will be sea level rise and inundation of low-lying Western Port areas. If so, how will this affect the current projects and is it time to consider the prospect of a government buy-back of coastal land and let nature run its course?
I hope the State Government and those seeking government will take note of the situation, for the issue will last longer that a four-year term in office and will not be solved by perpetuating piecemeal measures.
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Thank you, Neil, and all the other people who have spent lifetimes trying to protect Western Port. It would be good to see the day when such work was no longer necessary.
Thank you once again Neil Daly for your commitment to and persistence with raising awareness, providing education and a call to government action with pieces like this on an issue that most people don't realise is of critical importance to the health of life on this planet.
From DCCEW website: Coastal Wetlands - Mangroves and Saltmarshes for anyone who would like to learn more here's a snippit and link:
Why are mangroves and saltmarshes important?
Coastal mangroves and saltmarshes have historically been undervalued and considered by many to be wastelands. As a result many areas have been drained, reclaimed, become degraded from a range of human activities or otherwise lost.
We now understand the ecological value of these habitats which serve a number of purposes:
- provide feeding and breeding habitat for fish, birds and crustaceans
- act as filters for nutrients and sediments, reduce erosion and maintain water quality
- provide protection from storms and cyclones
act as a carbon sink.
- Mangroves are essential breeding grounds for fish stock, including prawns, crabs and fin fish such as barramundi, many of which are important for the fishing industry.
- Saltmarsh also provides shelter for fish, especially juveniles and smaller fish species, when inundation occurs during high tides. Studies have recorded over 40 species of fish inhabiting tidal saltmarsh areas, including commercial and recreational species such as yellowfin, bream, sand whiting, mullet, garfish, eels and crabs.
Invertebrates, including crabs, prawns, molluscs, spiders and insects are prolific in areas of saltmarsh and are preyed upon by fish and birds. Migratory waders, including species listed under international bird agreements, use Australia’s saltmarshes for feeding and roosting.
Coastal wetlands trap and stabilise sediments to lessen the effects of floodwaters and tidal movements, collect and recycle nutrients and contaminants from run-off and help maintain water quality.
Both mangroves and saltmarshes protect coastal foreshores by absorbing the energy of wind and wave action and providing a buffer that helps minimise erosion. With predicted increases in storm surge intensity and rising sea levels associated with climate change, these habitats will become increasingly important in protecting coasts.
Mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrasses capture and store large quantities of carbon both in plants and in the sediment below (‘blue carbon’).
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/wetlands/publications/factsheet-wetlands-mangroves-saltmarsh
A good conversation happening here and people volunteering their expertise.
Landcare did report an increased survival rate for the last mangrove seedlings planted. Planting more in clusters.