Port of Skardon River.
Marine habitat resources survey.
September 2003.

Anthony Roelofs, Michael Rasheed, Ross Thomas
Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

This report provides the results of a pre-wet season (September 2003) survey of marine habitat resources in the Skardon River area. This report is intended to be read in conjunction with our earlier report on the post-wet season (April 2002) baseline survey of the Port that provides additional information on the mangrove and saltpan flora communities and a comprehensive review of the current state of marine habitat knowledge for the Skardon River (Roelofs et al. 2002).

The Queensland Government designated the Port of Skardon River in early 2002 and assigned management of the port under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 to the Ports Corporation of Queensland (PCQ). To assist in developing oil spill response plans and environmental management plans for the new port, a broad-scale survey of the marine habitat resources within the port limits of Skardon River and a fine-scale survey in the vicinity of existing port infrastructure was conducted in April/May 2002 and September 2003. The Skardon River area encompassed a diverse range of ecologically important marine habitats.

Many of these habitats such as mangroves, saltpans, rock bars and marine swamps are likely to be of high importance to local fisheries. Seagrass meadows were found in the survey area adjacent to the port facility and in a branch of the Skardon River. A dugong that appeared to be feeding was observed in the vicinity of the port facility. There is past evidence that indicates that seagrass distribution in the area may be variable and at times cover a more extensive area. We suggest the PCQ manage these parts of the Skardon River intertidal bank as potential seagrass areas.

The Skardon River is part of a small estuarine system. This places the intertidal benthic communities and the fringing mangrove, saltpan and marine swamp habitats at greater risk from impacts such as oil spills as pollutants would be able to reach more of the sensitive habitats in less time than in open, larger estuaries. Environmental protection strategies developed for the Port of Skardon River will need to include rapid emergency response times as a priority.

The pre- and post-wet season surveys identified several areas that may require fine-scale mapping if port development proceeds. Subtidal rock bars and shoals were found adjacent to the main river channel. Other benthic habitats such as algae beds and deep holes may also occur in these areas. The identification of subtidal seagrass meadows adjacent to the port facility would indicate that other subtidal areas outside the immediate port facility would require fine-scale habitat surveys if dredging is required.

The complex and ecologically important intertidal communities in the Skardon River such as mangroves and marine swamps would be highly susceptible to oil spills. Oil spill contingency planning should consider these habitats as high priority for protection.

For a copy of the complete report contact Dr Michael Rasheed on michael.rasheed@dpi.qld.gov.au