The Great Sandy Strait (Korrawinga)
The Great Sandy Strait is a long, north-south facing tidal estuary between mainland Queensland, south of the township of Hervey Bay, and K’Gari (Fraser Island). It is renowned for its cultural and ecological significance and was declared a biosphere reserve in 2016. The Great Sandy Strait includes a Ramsar-listed wetland and is part of the larger Great Sandy Marine Park.
The history of shellfish reefs
Up until the early 1900’s, naturally occurring Rock Oyster reefs were found in bays and estuaries along the entire east and southern coasts of Australia. Today, these reef ecosystems have all but disappeared from many estuaries, including the Great Sandy Strait, where only remnant reefs can be found.
Oyster reefs in decline
There are Rock Oysters and remnants of Rock Oyster reefs in the Great Sandy Strait. This project will, with local guidance, help map those remnants, identify suitable areas for reef restoration projects and demonstrate restoration practices at Booral. Remnant reefs serve as homes for the 'parent' oysters, whose offspring populate shellfish reefs once restoration commences.
The Great Sandy Strait Shellfish Reef restoration project
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is working with the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, the Australian, Queensland and local governments, local businesses and community, to restore fagmented and degraded intertidal Rock Oyster reefs in the Booral area of the Great Sandy Strait. This project is funded by the Australian Governments Reef Coastal Restoration Program.
Why bother about shellfish reefs?
Rock oyster reefs are special type of wetland, which are of imense value to nature and people. Rock oyster reefs protect coastlines, absorb muddy sediments and filter out water polutants. The reef structures provide shelter and homes for fish and invertebrates and feeding and roosting sites of sea turtles, resident and migratory shorebirds and local fish species. The reefs also protect shores from the onslaught of storms and help reduce coastal erosion.
