The overall condition of seagrass in
Cleveland Bay was classed as satisfactory in 2019.
The October 2019 peak season survey indicated there may have been a
‘lag effect’ or legacy of the February floods, with seagrass biomass at
coastal meadows not returning to ‘typical’ peak season levels.Satisfactory
Result
The May 2019 senescent season survey indicated that the February 2019floods and the associated flood plume did not have as great an impact onseagrass as expected, with seagrass found throughout much of the Townsvilleport limits during May.
A large deep-water seagrass meadow was recorded in the October peak
season survey, with seagrass observed at 14.4m deep. Such an extent of
deep-water seagrass has not been recorded in Townsville since 2008.
K E Y F I N D I N G S
The area of coastal seagrass meadows was similar to that previously
recorded in peak season surveys, despite the overall density of coastal
seagrass being lower than previous years.
Dugongs and their feeding trails in seagrass meadows were observed
during both May and October field surveys.
townsvilleport.com.au/environment Report No. 20/16 March 2020
SEAGRASSSTUDY 2019
The annual report was prepared
by TropWater and James Cook
University for the Seagrass
Health Survey in Cleveland Bay