The D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Huon 2017 Report Card focuses on swimming and seafood safety, coastal and marine habitats, and climate, water quality and sediment health, nutrient inputs and sediments to better document changes in catchment conditions, so we can safely enjoy this incredible asset on our back doorstep.
Our report shows no significant change to the D’Entrecasteaux and Huon ecosystem based on the information we have available. However, there are growing pressures on the system, and we still have work to do to improve and broaden our monitoring techniques. In 2017 more than 76 m3 of marine debris was collected, indicating a large increase in effort. There were new discoveries of spotted handfish in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and water quality monitoring showed the beaches were all safe for swimming.
We prepared this Report Card in the interest of maintaining the diversity and improving the condition of the waterway. Based on the report recommendations, the D’Entrecasteaux and Huon Collaboration is developing practical projects that will improve the condition and health of the waterway and encourage participation in its management.
“Reporting on all aspects of the ecosystem is the key to having a whole of estuary approach to waterway health”, the D’Entrecasteaux and Huon Project Coordinator, Dr Amelia Fowles, said. “We want to observe changes in the estuary over time to build a clear picture of the health of the system and changes in species abundance in our local waterways.”
Ensuring that Tasmania’s waterways continue to support and deliver valuable services into the future will require a strong knowledge-base of the ecosystem that we derive immense ecological, social and economic benefits from – the D’Entrecasteaux and Huon waterways.
