Restoration Plan

Noosa River Oyster Reef. Restoration Plan

Dr Ben Gilby, Dr Andrew Olds, Dr Thomas Schlacher (University of the Sunshine Coast)
Dr Simon Walker (Ecological Service Professionals)
Dr Michael Gloster (Noosa Parks Association)

 

   

Introduction and Objective . : ae a L a

The extent, composition, and quality of fish habitats in the Noosa River system has changed
substantially since European settlement, with likely adverse flow-on effects on aquatic biota and
resources, including fish and fisheries. Thurston (2015) provides support for long-term observations of
declining fish stocks and fisheries in the Noosa River, outlining that fisheries habitats have been
impacted by a range of human activities, many of which occurred before the Declared Fish Habitat
Areas in the Noosa River were enacted in the 1970's (Thurston 2015; See Appendix 1).

The status of fish and fisheries in the Noosa River, and the condition and type of habitats supporting
them, is of considerable concern to the local community — this is the catalyst for the current project
aimed at restoring oyster reefs as an essential fish habitat that has become extirpated in the system.
The project has broad support and is carried by Noosa Council, the Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Foundation, the Noosa Parks Association, the Thomas Foundation, the University of the Sunshine
Coast, and Ecological Service Professionals.

Estuarine oyster reefs are widely recognised as a high-quality fish habitat. Historically, oyster reefs
occurred throughout the lower Noosa River, but extensive dredge-fishing operations in the early
1900's removed the bulk of oyster beds and their associated hard substrates (Thurston 2015). As a
fish habitat, oyster reefs are now functionally extirpated within the system. This drastic habitat change
has been accompanied by significant declines in fish stocks over the last century (Thurston 2015).
This project aims to partly redress this habitat loss by restoring oyster reefs at a number of locations
in the lower reaches of the estuary, aiming to enhance the quality of habitat for fish species known to
be closely associated with estuarine oyster reefs (e.g. yellowfin bream, tailor, moses perch, grouper).

This plan describes:

History of oystering in the Noosa River;

Oyster reefs as fish habitat;

Distribution of oyster reefs and restoration sites in the Noosa River;
Relevant Queensland Legislation for Fish Habitat Area A;
Scope of the current project;

Proposed restoration methods;

Community value alignment;

Alternatives;

Timing;

10. Management measures;

41. Project Goals

12. Monitoring schedule;

13. Risk management; and Reporting

CANO ARON>

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