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THE WESTERN PORT MARINE ENVIRONMENT Based on a Report to the Environment Protection Authority by Consulting Environmental Engineers

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l-he Western Port Marine Environment ENViRONMENT PROTEcnON AUTHORITY Making a difference ----... ~ .. -.- THE WESTERN PORT MARINE ENVIRONMENT Based on a report to the Environment Protection Authority by Consulting Environmental Engineers Environment Protection Authority State Government of Victor' March 1996 333.9164 The Western Port 099452 marine environment WES oopy 1 THE WESTERN PORT MARThTE ENVIRONMENT Based on a report to the Environment Protection Authority by Consulting Environmental Engineers Edited by: David May and Andy Stephens Catchment and Marine Studies Unit EnVironment Protection Authority Olderfleet Buildings 477 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Printed on recycled paper Publication 493 © Environment Protection Authority, April 1996 ISBN 0 7306 7509 2 FORE\VORD Western Port and its surrounding catchment are highly regarded as a recreational and commercial resource, and is one of Victorias most valuable assets. The terrestrial and marine ecosystems found in this area contain a large variety of plant and animal communities on a scale not found in other parts of Australia. The Western Port catchment supports a large agricultural industry and is one of the most important and productive agricultural areas in the State. Western Port provides a large recreational amenity for fishing, boating and other activities, supports commercial fisheries and is an important deep water port linking industry with Australian and overseas markets. The marine aod coastal environment of Western Port consists of a large number of interdependent ecosystems. The loss of about 170km2 of intertidal seagrass during the late 1970s caused a major ecological change to the marine environment. A reduction in commercial and recreational fishing followed this event and highlights the dependence of healthy ecosystems on the maintenance of others. The long term management of the Western Port marine environment and catchment are important issues for Victoria. Rapidly expanding urban development in the catchment will increase the demands for a quality environment, while at the same time placing significant pressure on Western Port. This is critical for the long tenn viability of the area as an environmental and commercial resource and a recreational asset for all Victoria. This report has been prepared following a review of current and historical literature on the Western Port marine environment. It represents the fIrst large scale review of monitoring and research since the Westernport Bay Environmental Study was conducted in 1973-1974. The information presented provides an assessment ofthe current environmental condition of the Western Port marine environment and integrates a pool of knowledge that is essential for the sustainable management of Western Port in the future.. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This report is based on a Review o/the Western Port Marine Environmentprepared for the Environment Protection Authority by Consulting Environmental Engineers Pty. Ltd. The conduct of the review has been greatly assisted by the enthusiasm and concern of many people for the health of Western Port, in particular: Bruce Ridgeway; Marc Marsden; Dr Brian Cuming; Richard Hawkins; Ren Milsorn; Ian Bunton; Dr Jan Watson; Garry Mabon and AM. Swan. Dr Eric Bird, Dr Kerry Black, Dr Brian Robinson, Pat Condina, David Baird, Scott Chidgey and Andy Stephens contributed presentations to the workshop, as did Bruce Ridgeway, Dr Brian Cuming, Richard Hawkins and Ren Milsom. All attendees ofthe workshop provided information and opinions which assisted the identification and critical discussion of environmental issues in Western Port. Dr Graeme Watson, Dr Graeme Edgar, Dr Greg Jenkins, Dr Murray MacDonald, Malcolm Hull (BHP), Victorian Institute of Marine Sciences, Melbourne Water, Marine Science and Ecology, Bird Observers Club ofAustralia and South Gippsland Conservation Society also contributed to the review. The assistance of Lisa Dixon, Chris Bell, Dr Colin Gibbs, Gus Fabris, Maree Bethel, Rebecca McGuigan, Ian Harris, Robyn Starkey, David Tiller, Jan Barton and Kate Greenlees with editorial comments are gratefully acknowledged. [ Environment Protection Authority The Western Port Marine Environment il 'I TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER l ......................... uuu ........................_ ....,. ........... ................... ,.... ~ ............. u ............ u ................u .. u 1 INTRODUCTION •.•...• .-....................................................................................................................... 1 Review of the Western Port Marine Environment.. ............................................................................ I Workshop ............................................................................................................................................ 2 1 Scientific review .................................................................................................................................. 2 CHAPTER 2 ........ UHU.... U. ........ u ................................................................un ............. u ................ n ........................ 3 ., STATUS OF THE WESTERN PORT MARINE ENVIROl'.. 'MENT ................................................ 3 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS ........................................................................................................ 3 TIDES AND CURRENTS 7 ................................................................................................................... 4 PHYSICO-CHEMICAL INDICATORS ................................................................................................. 4 CATCHMENT INPUTS ......................................................................................................................... 5 TURBIDITY ............................................................................................................................................ 6 PLANKTON COMMUNITIES ............................................................................................................... 6 /tvfANGROVE AND SALTMARSH COMMUNITIES ......................................................................... 6 SEAGRASS AND ASSOCIATED COMMUNITIES ............................................................................ 7 INVERTEBRA TES ................................................................................................................................. 7 SUMMARY OF THE STATUS OF THE WESTERN PORT MARlh'E ENVIRONMENT ................. 8 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WESTERN PORT MARINE ENVIRONMENT... 9 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 9 GEOLOGy .............................................................................................................................................. 9 COASTAL FEATURES AND PROCESSES ....................................................................................... 11 Bluffs and cliffs ................................................................................................................................. 14 Sandy shorelines ................................................................................................................................ 14 Mudflats ............................................................................................................................................. 15 Swamp ............................................................................................................................................... 16 Development. ..................................................................................................................................... 17 BATHYMETRY ................................................................................................................................... 17 SEDIMENTS ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Dredging and sediment sources ......................................................................................................... 21 Catchment Sources of Sediment. ....................................................................................................... 23 Resuspension of sediments from mudflats ........................................................................................ 24 CHAPTER 4 .... ~ .... ~ •••••.••••.. u_.... u •• u ........ u ................. ~ ..........................._ .................." ......... "................... _ ......... 25 TIDES AI\'D CURRENTS OF WESTERN PORT ........................................................................... 25 TIDES IN WESTERN PORT ................................................................................................................ 25 CURRENTS IN "''ESTERN PORT ...................................................................................................... 27 Environment Protection Authority The Western Port Marine Environment PAGE CHAPTER 5 ...•••..•••..••......•.•..••..•••...••..•.••...•.••.•.....•.••...•••..•..••...••.. _............. _....•.••.... m ....................... 32 PHYSICO-CHEMICAL MONITORING OF THE WESTER"'I PORT MAR.Il'o-.E El'.'VIROl'.'MENT A.""D CATCHMENT INPUT STREAMS ................. _ ....................................... 32 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................
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