Marine Plant Surveys
Marine plants in Queensland are protected. Marine plants form fish habitats and stop erosion to our coastlines, especially during large storm events. Effective management and protection of all marine plants is important in ensuring sustainable fish habitats and fisheries production.
Marine plants can include mangroves, saltmarsh vegetation, seagrass meadows and algal communities.
If a development project is likely to impact on a marine plant, assessment against the State Development Assessment Provisions is required and a Development Application required to be submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) for approval. As part of the assessment, a marine plant survey will be required to determine:
the extent of impacts to marine plants;
the area of disturbance;
whether the development is likely to have a Significant Residual Impact on marine plants.
“Assessable development requiring the removal, disturbance or damage to marine plants requires referral to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)”
The survey and subsequent reporting requires assessment against the performance outcomes in State Code 11 Removal, destruction or damage of marine plants and if they cannot be satisfied, biodiversity offsets may be required.
Our ecologists are experience in undertaking marine plant surveys and are ready to get your project approved today. Get in touch at emily@trendecology.com.u or 0455 443 654.
More information regarding development applications and disturbance to marine plants can be found here: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/habitats/fisheries-development/approvals-required