Seagrass Monitoring Project
Seagrass disturbance linked to oyster farming has been raised consistently by policymakers over the past few years. While acknowledging that some practices have the potential to affect seagrass ecosystems, growers argue that current observations lack context and call for more robust, time-scaled data.
In NSW, about 170 hectares of oyster leases contain more than 50 per cent coverage of Posidonia seagrass, with these areas generating an estimated $4.5 million annually in product sales. If these leases were excluded from production due to blunt regulatory approaches, the industry would face significant recurring losses, in addition to sunk acquisition and infrastructure costs. This project aims to provide the data to avoid such outcomes.
This component of the project aims to generate credible evidence to inform more proportionate management that protects both sensitive habitats and viable farming operations. Key activities include:
• Develop a farmer-led seagrass condition monitoring program that builds on existing methodologies.
• Deliver face-to-face training workshops in four regions: Sapphire Coast, Narooma, Brisbane Water, and Wallis Lake.
• Support growers to develop ‘seagrass-friendly’ workplans, documenting how they operate within seagrass meadows.
• Provide technical support for data collection and analysis.
• Develop a ‘Seagrass Friendly Handbook’ to guide future practice and policy.
Nature Positive Frameworks & Environmental Credentials
Oyster aquaculture is being increasingly recognised for its environmental benefits, including nutrient removal, water filtration, and habitat creation. However, these benefits are not yet consistently documented or mapped against emerging environmental accounting frameworks.
This component of the project will help consolidate and communicate the ecological value of oyster aquaculture, with a view to strengthening social licence and exploring future financial incentives for ecosystem services. Activities include:
• Synthesising existing evidence on the environmental benefits and potential impacts of oyster farming.
• Mapping known benefits against The Nature Conservancy’s Global Monitoring & Learning Framework for Restorative Aquaculture.
• Identifying gaps in knowledge to guide future research and validation.
• Developing a plain-English summary of oyster aquaculture’s environmental contributions for use in advocacy, education, and policy engagement.
By aligning oyster farming practices with credible nature-positive frameworks, the industry can better demonstrate its stewardship credentials and position itself for future opportunities in environmental markets.
For more information, please contact Andy Myers on 0488 656 366 or [email protected]