Sydney’s Manly Cove is due to get an enviro-friendly face lift with plans to install seagrass friendly mooring structures to encourage marine life back to the area.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), in partnership with Sydney Metropolitan CMA, NSW Maritime and Manly Council are conducting a three year trial of the seagrass friendly mooring structures.

NSW DPI Conservation Manager Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation, Scott Nichols, said the project encourages boaties to become involved in the initiative which has benefits for the environment and boat owners themselves.

"The trial, funded by the Australian Government through the Bringing Back the Fish project, offers boat licensees a free seagrass friendly mooring device and three years free maintenance in priority areas of Manly Cove," Mr Nichols said.

"In return for the free mooring device and maintenance, the mooring licensee is expected to retain the mooring device and ensure their boats are moored for the majority of the time."

An opportunity to view the seagrass friendly mooring device and to learn more about seagrass and the creatures that rely on them will occur on Saturday July 25 at 9.30am on Manly Cove foreshore adjacent to the western side of Manly Wharf.

A short talk will be presented by NSW DPI (Fisheries) and On Water Marine Services followed by an installation demonstration of the seagrass friendly mooring adjacent the western side of Manly Wharf.

Mr Nichols said the mooring structures were a simple and effective way of improving the aquatic environment.

"Seagrass beds can be damaged directly by boating activities. Propeller damage while moving through shallow waters, anchoring in seagrass beds, and chain drag from traditional mooring devices all contribute to seagrass loss," he said.

"Seagrass friendly mooring devices aim to reduce the effect of chain drag on the seabed by raising the chain off the seafloor. The mooring device is drilled into the seabed, maintaining an immobile single point of contact. A shock absorber connects the anchor post to the connecting rope and mooring float, ensuring it is above the seabed."

Australia is home to the largest and most diverse seagrass assemblages in the world, with a total of six species being found along the NSW coastline.

Seagrasses are important in providing habitat and food for fish and other aquatic fauna, and act to reduce erosion and improve water quality.

World wide there has been a decline in the area covered by seagrass, with rates of loss comparable to that for tropical rainforests and coral reefs.

Many factors contribute to this loss including direct removal or shading as part of coastal development to increased nutrient loadings in water runoff contributing to epiphytic growth smothering seagrass leaves.

For further information on the presentation at Manly Wharf on Saturday July 25 at 9.30am please contact Scott Nichols on 0429 300 489.

Further reading

Habitat management

Media contact: Rebecca Bowman 02 6391 3785 or 0438 247 571