A cluster of Cauliflower Coral (Dendronephthya australis) credit David Harasti.
The gardens of purple, cauliflower-like corals that have long-delighted divers in Port Stephens waters are in significant decline, a Southern Cross University study has found.
Sand movement (sediment mobilisation) along with boat anchoring and moorings are the likely causes. Recent flooding has exacerbated the destruction of this soft coral which was recently listed as Endangered.
The study found the Port Stephens’ clusters of Dendronephthya australis, mapped by the research team in 2019, had declined by almost 70% in just eight years.
More recently, researchers were shocked to find high levels of run-off in the Karuah River catchment during the March 2021 floods has caused even further devastation of this population. Port Stephens, north of Newcastle, is the only known location where this species is found in large, habitat-forming clusters (aggregations).
Darling River ecology extinct and Murray cod in real trouble , warns expert Dr Stuart Rowland
FriFriday 12
MarMarch 2021 at 9:21pm
Murray cod numbers in the Murray-Darling system will never return to what they were just decades ago, says Dr Rowland.
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The Darling River s aquatic ecology is so degraded it has become extinct and iconic fish species including the Murray cod face an uncertain future, according to one of Australia s most respected fish scientists.
Key points:
Dr Rowland says prolonged drought and irrigation have created an ecological disaster in the Darling River
He says a 2003 report declaring the Darling endangered was met with a tenfold increase in water extraction