Workshop Session 1 – Marine Group (Facilitator Jess Mowat)

• Where are the marine habitats?
  • Need mapping
  • Physical habitat & food source
• What did we have/ baseline data?
  • 1982 WQ Plan shows the Passage was already impacted at that time.
• How is it changing? Rate of change?
• Confirm biodiversity of species
  • What we know- 3 years of mapping fish species in south Passage & 2 years of mapping fish species in north Passage (University of Sunshine Coast PhD projects).
• What is the impact of recreational fishing?
• Are the protected areas in the right place?
• Central database needed to store & connect all the data.
• Need to better understand the impact on biodiversity of changes in hydrology (J.Larsen 2007).
• Better shorebird management
  • More research/monitoring of high tide shorebird roosts
  • Maroochy River wetlands – progression to tidal wetlands & gain in habitat
  • Better education & enforcement of regulations to protect shorebirds needed e.g. dogs off leash
  • Restrict access to roosts
  • Increase habitat, roosting areas & food sources
• Greater understanding of the whole food web and interconnections
• Are there enough rangers?
• Revenue raising for better management – Fishing License (fee to fish) & fee to visit a National Park
• What are we using as a baseline data?
• Current focus is on high ecological value catchment while ignoring other catchments
• Shellfish reefs
• Need to better promote community campaigns e.g. Ozfish & help advertise for new recruits
• Litter awareness campaign e.g. Night eyes
• Central hub needed for community groups e.g. Health Land and Water (HLW)
• Local government could have a branch to coordinate community groups
• How do we reconcile use v protection when it comes to jetskis, 4WDs etc.
  • Education & behaviour change needed
  • 4WD Management Plan with designated roads
  • Beach access points
  • Permits should eb required to drive on beach
  • Need to understand the full impact of jetskis e.g. on animals, erosion etc.
  • Jetskis not compatible with Ramsar values
  • 4WD and turtles not compatible
  • Speed limits should be enforced across the Passage
  • Better signage
• Impact of climate change on mangroves
  • Citizen science on mangrove monitoring
• What is the impact of soft groins on seagrass
• Priority to map inter/sub tidal areas
• Benthic invertebrates -need more research
• Need well mapped, modelled & ground truthed study showing sustainable use of area

Workshop Session 2 – Marine Group – Geographical Areas

Area 1

• Shorebird habitat mapping
• Ban hovercraft
• Impact of rock groins
• Fish habitat zone study
• Modify stormwater drains to reduce algal blooms

Area 2

• Speed restrictions
• Cultural knowledge e.g. midden mapping
• More monitoring of biodiversity e.g. dugong & water mouse
• Fish permits or license to fund marine reserves & enforcement
• Reduce wash from wakes
• Shorebird roost mapping (MBRC currently mapping southern passage)
• More monitoring of saltmarsh community
• Understand hydrology of Tripcony Bight
• Promote fauna & flora reserve under the Commonwealth

Area 3 & 4

• 4WD Management Plan including stopping access during turtle nesting season
• Off road cycle paths
• Promote passive recreation e.g. a Great walk
• Geomorphology & hydrology studies by Mal Cox

Area 5

• Litter & $WD
• Consistency in planning for the area between councils
• Significant indigenous pathways
• Noise pollution – educations and restrict use
• Building environmental corridors
• Environmental controls of Beerwah East- need baseline studies

Area 6

• Education on the value of agricultural land
• Protection of good quality agricultural soil
• Land for wildlife of farms e.g fence off creeks, biocontrols, nest boxes

Area 7

• Land use planning for failed forestry land e.g. reserve & restoration
• Sewage treatment upgrades – populations and wastewater concerns
• Potable reuse of water
• Exhaust from poultry farms – emission controls needed