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Seagrass monitoring at Wave Break Island 1+2
Wave Break Island (Australia)From 22 Mar until 22 Mar, 2024
Join our Ocean Connect marine science team on their fortnightly seagrass survey to actively monitor the status and trends in seagrass conditions around the Gold Coast.
This event will be held at Wave Break Island, we will be meeting at the Marine Parade to board a small vessel to travel to Wavebreak island seagrass meadows.
Seagrasses are a habitat forming species and they play a critical role in the equilibrium of coastal ecosystems. They provide many key ecosystem services, such as providing a nursery and habitat for animals, preventing coastal erosion and sequestering a large amount of carbon dioxide. 7 species occur in the Gold Coast region and cover an estimated 22% of the Broadwater.
It is crucial to monitor these change in order to be able to mitigate widespread loss . Ultimately by protecting the seagrass meadows the wider Gold Coast community will indirectly benefit from the sustained water quality in the Gold Coast Broadwater and surrounding region, ultimately, enhancing recreational fishing, marine tourism and providing the right framework for future generations to enjoy.
Participants will be trained in internationally standardized and recognized Seagrass-Watch training and will be briefed on seagrasses ecology, importance and threats before the session.
The ongoing monitoring is supported by the City of Gold Coast Catchment and Citizen Science Grant program.
This workshop is only suitable for adults over the 16 years of age in order to maintain scientific rigor and safety.
This is an outdoor event.
Everyone attending must register as spots are limited.