Baseline survey of Hinchinbrook region seagrasses - October (spring) 1996

Abstract

Current coastal zone management issues in the Hinchinbrook region include protection of fisheries habitats, dugong habitat areas and increases in aquaculture, agriculture and tourist operations. A regional coastal management plan which is being developed, also requires detailed information on seagrass resources for the coastal zone from Dunk Island in the north, to Cleveland Bay in the south. Decreases in estimates of dugong abundance in the southern half of the Great Barrier Reef region since the 1980's have also prompted the need for detailed baseline and monitoring surveys of seagrasses in this and other regions.