Cooloola Coastcare - Cooloola Underwater Biodiversity Assessment

Cooloola Underwater Biodiversity Assessment (CUBA)

Marine species (seagrass and fauna) are highly dependent on the health of the catchment, especially protected saltmarsh and mangrove systems. While Cooloola Coastcare monitors seagrass health, knowledge of fish species is anecdotal only from local catch. Video footage shows ground truthing of two (2) high use recreational fishing sites, Norman Point and Seary's Ledge to a depth of 12m.

The project provides a baseline ‘state of the environment’ video record, comparing underwater geology, sandbanks and marine species before proposed infrastructure development at one of the sites (the Norman Point Jetty Project that is currently being considered by Gympie Regional Council).

The footage has been edited and presented as a film documentary by marine biologist, TedEx Noosa speaker and underwater cameraman, Mr Josh Jensen at venues on the Burnett-Mary and Cooloola Coast, and will be used to support the region's effort and contribution to the UNESCO Great Sandy Biosphere status and Ramsar Wetland monitoring.

Videos

Tin Can Bay (Cooloola) Marine Biodiversity Assessment - underwater footage0:00 Dive 1, Norman Point 2:34 Dive 2, Norman Point 6:04 Dive 3, Norman Point 8:00 Dive 4, Norman Point 9:16 Dive 5, Norman Point 11:13 Dive 6, Norman…

Data

Logs

Field log with area descriptions

Graphs

Maps

Norma Point Tracks

Norman Point tracks.png

Searys Ledge Tracks

Seary's Ledge tracks.png

Photos

Other activities

Tide Times with Underwater Creature ID photos

2018 Tide times for the Great Sandy Straits featuring Josh’s marine species were distributed at the shops, presentations and festivals.

Marine Debris

A second component of the CUBA project is to support 2 Coastcare volunteer’s efforts in GSS marine debris cleanup, by providing them with safety gloves and high vis shirts; and materials for them to design and construct a weatherproof outdoors marine debris display suitable for festivals.

Media about CUBA

Newsletters

BMRG 12 April 2018
Poona Post April 2018

Newspapers