What's the point

[ellicat]

Just found this media release from the DPI&F (thanks to Nugget's site).

Makes you wonder what benefit the perpetrators expect from this sought of rubbish. I thought I'd post it here in case someone knew something or for future reference.

I'm not sure putting up a sign will make much difference.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

Queensland Government

Media release

8 March 2007

Mangrove poisoning could impact Moreton Bay fishing

The illegal poisoning of mangroves on the foreshore at Lota on Brisbane’s southside is likely to have impacts on local fish and crab populations.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries fisheries scientist Dawn Couchman said the deliberate poisoning of the mangroves was being investigated by the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.

“Several mature grey mangroves on the seaward edge of this community have died after holes were drilled into them to administer the poison,†Ms Couchman said.

“Any loss of mature mangroves like these will have a flow-on effect to the fish and crab populations they support.

“Unfortunately this is not the first time this type of mangrove destruction has happened in this area.

“This is an ongoing problem and it is obvious that whoever is responsible for killing these plants has no respect for this vital community resource and no idea of the mangroves’ value to the local environment.â€Â

Ms Couchman said Moreton Bay was famous for top quality recreational fishing in its beautiful waters while also providing a substantial commercial catch supporting our local seafood industry.

“Declared Fish Habitat Areas combined with marine parks provide protection for the diverse fish habitats of Moreton Bay and mangroves are an integral part of this habitat mosaic - they must be valued and preserved by the community for future generations.

“If mangroves continue to be needlessly destroyed there will certainly be significant impacts on the precious resources of Moreton Bay.

“The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is responsible for the management of mangroves which are protected under the Fisheries Act.

“If anyone has any information on the killing of these mangroves or witnesses any similar illegal activities I would strongly urge them to report it to the 24-hour Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 017 116.â€Â

To help raise awareness in relation to protecting mangroves, Brisbane City Council in conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries will place new signs and posters in the area explaining the importance and protected status of the marine plants.

[Angus]

Mate the last Real Estate company i worked for specialised in River front property.

It is completely illegal to remove mangroves (or even in many cases prune them). However people seeking better river views or access would often ignore this.

I mean if the mangroves \"died of natural casues\" surely its ok to remove them. Anyway this is still an issue on the Brisbane Riverfront to this day.

I would hazzard a guess that the watefront owners at Lota might be up to similar mischeif. I would not outright accuse anyone, however it does make sense (to them anyway).

I wonder when people will learn, that those mangroves are often the very thang that holds the foreshore together!!!!

In the bay look anywhere where there has been large scale removal of mangorves and there has to be retaining walls or rock walls replacing them.

Angus

[ellicat]

Maybe the developers should be made to bare the cost of installing cameras (with night-vision) in new developments.

Have to go now...gotta clean the roof from those dam pigs again

[Feral]

Angus, historical records show most of the brisbane river had no mangroves, it was fresh down to around where the gateway is, big sand bars across the river stopped most of the tidal flow.

At work (near the Royal Brisbane hospital) there was no mangroves in the creek there when I first started in the early eighties, now there is a forest of em!

It is still a sad fact that poisoning a few trees can increase a properties value many times over, making it economical to kill the trees.

There was a case a few years back where a well healed businessman got a D8 in to clear the trees from the foreshore across the road from his house, happily copping the 80,000 dollar fine because upped his property values by several hundred thousand. He did it quite blatantly, told the council bloke when he showed up exactly what he was doing. He used the D8 so he could get it finished before the council could get a court order for him to stop. All over in under an hour.

[Angus]

Andrew: Its funny you mention that, about there being no mangroves further up.

The main arguement for people trying to petition to have mangroves removed is exactly that point, showing historical photo's etc of the river reaches with no mangroves.

However the other side argues that although this is true, due to the mud and silt build ups caused by the dredging etc its a moot point. The mangroves may not have been there, but its essectially a different river now and the banks require them.

The argument can go back and forth as both sides have valid points.

Angus

[Feral]

I've no problem with the mangroves having to remain, just pointing out they were not part of the original ecosystem, what we are getting now is a completely new one, which is good, helps to makes up for places like Raby Bay.

My view on conservation is a little different. Once an area is past redemption to its original state (I cant see the Brisbane river being returned to fresh water wetlands), I am all for creating a useful ecosystem out of what is left. Even if it does mean the Jindalee and Brookside toffs get sandflies!

IE My view is - ok, we have cleared great areas of the western downs, water table have risen, native trees can not be regrown there, so lets find a weed that will grow there,(without being threat to other areas)plant it every where, stabilise the ground and make a new ecosystem there!

Post edited by: Feral, at: 2007/04/29 14:25

[Angus]

Yeah Feral i agree.

A lot of people who probably mean well always seem to get caught up in bagging the fact that something has happened. Obviously this rarely actually leads to any solution!!

Good point about Raby Bay as well, i guess the Brisbane Mangroves have just replaced breeding grounds from there.

Angus