Parks and forests
Monitoring program
The Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with CSIRO, Griffith University, University of Queensland, the Queensland Ornithological Society and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, has commenced a comprehensive 5 year monitoring program in Moreton Bay Marine Park as part of the zoning plan review.
The program is investigating the full range of ecological, economic and social outcomes of the new zoning plan. It is a significant investment by the EPA and partner organisations, and will build on existing knowledge already gathered about the marine park.
Some of the issues that will be examined through the monitoring program include:
- How the condition, structure and function of key habitat types are influenced by activities affected by the new zoning
- The impact of the new zoning on the abundance of fish and invertebrates across different zone types, also compared to before the zoning plan was implemented
- How the network of go slow areas influences the abundance and condition of turtles and dugong
- How no anchoring areas affect the condition of reef habitats
- How the zoning influences use of the marine park and businesses servicing those users
- Tracking how community perceptions of the marine park and reasons for visiting change over time.
The monitoring program uses a number of different study types, including pot and line fishing inside and outside of marine national park (green) zones, deploying "bait cams" (baited underwater video cameras) and even remotely piloted aircraft to monitor compliance.
While the program is taking a collaborative approach, the independence of research teams is important and ensured through the program. Another key strength of the program is the opportunity to develop before and after impact studies with data gathered both prior to the release and implementation of the new zoning plan as well as post-implementation.
The monitoring program is primarily focused on aspects of the marine park that can be influenced by marine park management and zoning, however it also integrates with existing monitoring programs such as the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP). This allows greater opportunities for increasing knowledge about Moreton Bay and maximises the use of available monitoring data.
Results from the monitoring program will help marine park managers to make well-informed decisions, ultimately ensuring the best outcomes for the marine park.
Further updates on the monitoring program will be provided as they become available.
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Last updated: 19 October 2008
