2018-07-10 P&E Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 8 - Draft Noosa River Plan

                                                      In Noosa, the Hincksia blooms ‘worsen’ with
                                                      north-easterly winds and are ‘cleared’ from Main
                                                      Beach by south-easterly winds. From 2002 to
                                                      2006, and again in 2017, nuisance blooms of
                                                      Hincksia in Laguna Bay significantly impacted
                                                      the local economy and residents and visitors’
                                                      enjoyment of Noosa’s Main Beach.
                                                      Previous studies and trials aimed at finding the
                                                      source of Hincksia and removing the vast biomass
                                                      of a Hincksia bloom from Laguna Bay proved
                                                      inconclusive.
                                                      Research has recognised macroalgal blooms (such
                                                      as Hincksia) are a ‘symptom’ of increasing nutrient
                                                      loading into aquatic environments which has been




                                                    T
                                                      demonstrated by the disappearance of blooms in
                                                      a number of estuarine bays in the USA and the




                                                  F
                                                      UK following the reduction in nutrient input into
                                                      these systems (Phillips, 2006).




                                                A
                                                      The findings from this research suggest the source
                                                      of nutrients fuelling the bloom at Noosa must be




          R
                                                      identified and management strategies developed
                                                      to reduce nutrient inputs (Phillips, 2006).




        D
Objective 15: The occurrence of coastal algal blooms in Laguna Bay is mitigated and/or reduced.

Management response

Devise a management strategy in conjunction with macroalgal
biology & ecology experts to seek to further understand, manage
and potentially reduce Hincksia sordida blooms.
                                                                     Who

                                                                     Council
                                                                                     When

                                                                                     Short – medium
                                                                                     term




                                                                               Noosa River Plan l Page 55