![]() ![]() The Seeds For Snapper Seagrass weekend will be held on November 20 – 22 and will involve the following events and activities. Interested volunteers can attend a community information session at The Fremantle Sailing Club on October 17 at 6pm to find out how to get involved. “We’re just giving a helping hand to mother nature to ensure these precious seeds get to the right places,” Mr Copeland said. The collected seeds will then be agitated in salt-water tanks until they are ready for dispersing in areas experiencing habitat loss. “As much as 97 percent of these seeds end up in areas where they cannot grow, where the water is too deep, not allowing enough light through or more commonly washed up on the shore,” said Dr Statton.įishers and boat owners are critical in locating and collecting seagrass fruit before it drops its seed.īoaties launching from Woodman Point Boat Ramp are asked to look out for program volunteers who will be offering scoop nets and buckets to collect fruit. As the fruit splits, dropping the seed, tiny sail like structures on the seeds allows them to spread with the current. “This fruit, resembling a banana flower contains the seed. “Around November each year, like our backyard veggie patch, Seagrass meadows flower, producing fruit which is released and floats to the sea surface,” he said. Seagrass are specialised marine plants which are vitally important habitats and nursery areas for countless marine organisms, including pink snapper, blue swimmer crabs, prawns, western rock lobster, whiting, tailor, herring and squid.ĭr John Statton from UWA’s Oceans Institute explained that Seagrass grows very slowly, sending out runners like grass only a few centimetres per year. This project is supported by Recfishwest and was made possible by the WA Government’s Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund and ongoing funding from BCF – Boating Camping and Fishing. Volunteers will help collect seagrass fruit and bring it to shore for preparation and then again help disperse the seed it in specified locations. We need boat fishers in particular but also invite families to get involved. ![]() “We cannot do this alone – we need volunteers to step up and help. “The Seeds for Snapper project in Cockburn Sound has an ambitious goal to restore 1 hectare of habitat with 1 million seeds every year and help bring back a once thriving ecosystem,” Mr Copeland said. OzFish CEO and Founder Craig Copeland said only 15 percent of seagrass meadows of Cockburn Sound remain, but the organisation is on a mission to change that. Now in its third year, the annual program will commence again in November with the charity calling on the community for help. Fishing conservation charity OzFish Unlimited has launched the 2020 Seeds for Snapper program with a weekend of seagrass restoration activities. ![]()
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