Brisbane Residents Urged To Adopt A Mangrove

28 April, 2003

The Department of Primary Industries is urging property owners with Brisbane River frontage to adopt a mangrove and help preserve these valuable plants.

Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) principal scientist Dawn Couchman is encouraging residents to become mangrove guardians and protect the plants that play an important role in sustaining aquatic life.

“QFS is urging people with river front addresses or those who take a daily walk or jog along mangrove boardwalks, to become mangrove guardians and report any removal, damage or disturbance of mangroves,” she said.

Ms Couchman said mangrove habitats were vital to the sustainability of Queensland’s fisheries resources, providing shelter and food for marine life as well as helping to stabilise foreshores.

“Mangroves are valuable links in the ecological chain, providing shelter, food and nurseries for marine life,” she said.

“If these habitats are destroyed, it means aquatic life is being destroyed which in the long term will prove very damaging to fish and other marine stocks.”

Ms Couchman said mangroves were protected under the Fisheries Act 1994 and must not be trimmed, thinned or removed without a permit.

“In some cases, mangrove forests may obstruct a view or another aspect for property owners, but the message is that it is illegal to trim, disturb or remove mangroves without a permit,” she said.

“However, the bottom line is QFS does not support the removal of mangroves for aesthetic purposes.”

Ms Couchman said the Brisbane region had about six different species of mangroves with the grey, river and milky mangroves being the most common species along the Brisbane River.

She said they all made a vital contribution to Moreton Bay’s fish habitats.

“Mangroves are community assets and form a key component of our natural capital. Protecting these marine plants means future generations can also enjoy Queensland’s fisheries,” Ms Couchman said.

Residents wanting to report any activities which damage or destroy mangroves should contact the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 017 116.

For more information about mangroves and other fisheries habitats, visit the Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

Department of Primary Industries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001 Ph 07 3239 6380
DPI Call Centre 13 25 23 (weekdays 8 am to 6 pm)

Further information: Dawn Couchman (07) 3224 2249
Communications Officer: Liz Smith (07) 3224 7757

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