Appendix 3- Noosa restoration assessment report- Including Expert Elicitation Minutes

Figure 6 Section of oyster reef comprised of Isognomon ephippium (Rounded Tooth pearl
oyster) found in Weyba Creek.


Recommendations and future research needs
Based on the information gathered during this assessment, our recommendation is that to
increase fish abundance and aquatic biodiversity in Noosa Estuary, the priority restoration
actions would be to pilot the development of oyster reefs. This recommendation does
indicate a commitment by TNC to be involved in an oyster reef restoration project in Noosa
Estuary. In order to make a better informed judgment about the potential and design of
these reefs, some additional research is necessary. Most urgent amongst the additional
research tasks is an assessment of current oyster settlement and recruitment in Noosa
Estuary. This research would indicate whether there is enough oyster recruitment in Noosa
Estuary to reconstruct reefs without supplement from hatcheries, and also provide
important insights into the design and placement of pilot reefs.
Based on the key uncertainties identified by the experts for a range of restoration and
management options, it was also clear that an assessment of current fish and prawn stocks
in Noosa Estuary, and a model of their harvest would be invaluable in evaluating different
management options and the potential of Noosa Estuary to sustain a boutique sustainable
seafood industry.




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