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1 Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

2 Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

3 Appendix I Fish Transect Data Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

4 Scientific Name Common Name Family Name GC Seaway Southport Bridge Trawlers - Sea World Bayview Towers Runaway Bay Marina Columbus Drive Ephraim Is Bridge Orectolobus maculatus Spotted Wobbegong Orectolobidae 3 Chiloscyllium punctatum Grey Carpetshark Hemiscylliidae 2 Carcharhinus leucas Bull Shark Carcharhinidae 2 Rhynchobatus laevis Smoothnose Wedgefish Rhynchobatidae 3 Dasyatis kuhlii Bluespotted Maskray Dasyatidae Pastinachus sephen Cowtail Stingray Dasyatidae 1 Taeniura meyeni Blotched Fantail Ray Dasyatidae 1 Himantura fai Pink Whipray Dasyatidae 1 Trygonoptera testacea Common Stingaree Urolophidae Aetobatus narinari Whitespotted Eagle Ray Myliobatidae 3 Gymnothorax cribroris Sieve Moray Muraenidae 3 Gymnothorax pseudothyrsoideus Highfin Moray Muraenidae Gymnothorax thrysoideus Greyface Moray Muraenidae 3 Gymnothorax favagineus Tessellate Moray Muraenidae 1 Echidna nebulosa Starry Moray Muraenidae 2 Echidna polyzona Girdled Moray Muraenidae 3 2 Gymnothorax eurostus Stout Moray Muraenidae 3 Conger wilsoni Eastern Conger Congridae 2 1 Conger cinereus Blacklip Conger Congridae 1 Hyperlophus vittatus Sandy Sprat Clupeidae 6 Herklotsichthys castelnaui Southern Herring Clupeidae 5 3 Synodus dermatogenys Banded Lizardfish Synodontidae 2 1 Cnidoglanis macrocephalus Estuary Cobbler Plotosidae 3 Plotosus lineatus Striped Catfish Plotosidae 1 Hyporhamphus regularis River Garfish Hemiramphidae 4 Cleidopus gloriamaris Australian Pineapplefish Monocentrididae 3 Sargocentron diadema Crown Squirrelfish Holocentridae 2 Fistularia spp Flutemouth Fistulariidae 3 Solenostomus cyanopterus Robust Ghostpipefish Solenostomidae 2 Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus Bentstick Pipefish Syngnathidae 3 Filicampus tigris Tiger Pipefish Syngnathidae 2 Dendrochirus zebra Zebra Lionfish Scorpaenidae 3 Ablabys taenianotus Cockatoo Waspfish Tetrarogidae 1 Pterois volitans Common Lionfish Scorpaenidae 1 Centropogon australis Eastern Fortescue Tetrarogidae Synanceia horrida Estuarine Stonefish Synanceiidae 2 Inimicus caledonicus Demon Stingerfish Synanceiidae 2 Parascorpaena mossambica Mozambique Scorpionfish Scorpaenidae 3 Scorpaenodes littoralis Cheekspot Scorpionfish Scorpaenidae 3 Taenianotus triacanthus Leaf Scorpionfish Scorpaenidae 1 Scorpaenidae sp Scorpionfish Scorpaenidae 4 Paraploactis trachyderma Mossback Velvetfish Aploactinidae 4 Platycephalus fuscus Dusky Flathead Platycephalidae Cymbacephalus nematophthalmus Fringe-eye Flathead Platycephalidae 2 Ambiserrula jugosa Mud Flathead Platycephalidae 2 Thysanophrys celebica Celebes Flathead Platycephalidae 2 Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

5 Scientific Name Common Name Family Name GC Seaway Southport Bridge Trawlers - Sea World Bayview Towers Runaway Bay Marina Columbus Drive Ephraim Is Bridge Ambassis jacksoniensis Port Jackson Glassfish Ambassidae Epinephelus coioides Goldspotted Rockcod Serranidae Epinephelus maculatus Highfin Grouper Serranidae 2 Epinephelus fasciatus Blacktip Rockcod Serranidae 2 Epinephelus quoyanus Longfin Rockcod Serranidae 3 1 Epinephelus lanceolatus Queensland Groper Serranidae 1 Cephalopholis argus Peacock Rockcod Serranidae 2 Epinephelus undulatostriatus Maori Rockcod Serranidae 2 Pseudanthias squamipinnis Orange Basslet Serranidae 1 Epinephelus cyanopodus Purple Rockcod Serranidae 2 Trachypoma macracanthus Pacific Rockcod Serranidae 1 Diploprion bifasciatum Barred Soapfish Serranidae 3 Grammistes sexlineatus Lined Soapfish Serranidae 3 Pelates sexlineatus Eastern Striped Grunter Terapontidae 2 Apogon fasciatus Bar-striped Cardinalfish Apogonidae 2 Apogon nigripinnis Two-eye Cardinalfish Apogonidae 2 2 Apogon cavitiensis Whiteline Cardinalfish Apogonidae Apogon cookii Cook's Cardinalfish Apogonidae 2 1 Apogon crassiceps Ruby Cardinalfish Apogonidae 4 Apogon doederleini Fourline Cardinalfish Apogonidae 3 Apogon fraenatus Spinyeye Cardinalfish Apogonidae 3 Apogon limenus Sydney Cardinalfish Apogonidae Apogon pallidofasciatus Palestriped Cardinalfish Apogonidae 2 Sillago ciliata Sand Whiting Sillaginidae Echeneis naucrates Sharksucker Echeneidae 2 Seriola lalandi Yellowtail Kingfish Carangidae 2 Carangoides chrysophrys Longnose Trevally Carangidae 4 Gnathanodon speciosus Golden Trevally Carangidae 3 Seriola dumerili Amberjack Carangidae 4 Caranx ignobilis Giant Trevally Carangidae 3 1 Caranx sexfasciatus Bigeye Trevally Carangidae 6 Scomberoides lysan Lesser Queenfish Carangidae 4 Caranx melampygus Bluefin Trevally Carangidae 4 Pseudocaranx dentex Silver Trevally Carangidae 4 Leiognathus equulus Common Ponyfish Leiognathidae 4 Lutjanus vitta Brownstripe Snapper Lutjanidae 1 Lutjanus malabaricus Saddletail Snapper Lutjanidae 1 Lutjanus carponotatus Stripey Snapper Lutjanidae 1 1 Lutjanus argentimaculatus Mangrove Jack Lutjanidae Lutjanus rivulatus Maori Snapper Lutjanidae 1 Symphorus nematophorus Chinamanfish Lutjanidae 1 Lutjanus gibbus Paddletail Lutjanidae 3 Lutjanus bohar Red Bass Lutjanidae 1 Lutjanus fulvus Blacktail Snapper Lutjanidae 1 Lutjanus russelli Moses' Snapper Lutjanidae Scolopsis monogramma Rainbow Monocle Bream Nemipteridae 3 Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

6 Scientific Name Common Name Family Name GC Seaway Southport Bridge Trawlers - Sea World Bayview Towers Runaway Bay Marina Columbus Drive Ephraim Is Bridge Pentapodus paradiseus Paradise Threadfin Bream Nemipteridae 1 Scolopsis bilineata Two-line Monocle Bream Nemipteridae 2 Gerres subfasciatus Common Silverbiddy Gerreidae Diagramma labiosum Painted Sweetlips Haemulidae Plectorhinchus flavomaculatus Goldspotted Sweetlips Haemulidae Plectorhinchus gibbosus Brown Sweetlips Haemulidae 3 Lethrinus nebulosus Spangled Emperor Lethrinidae 5 3 Monotaxis grandoculis Bigeye Seabream Lethrinidae 1 Acanthopagrus australis Yellowfin Bream Sparidae Rhabdosargus sarba Tarwhine Sparidae Argyrosomus japonicus Mulloway Sciaenidae 2 Parupeneus indicus Yellowspot Goatfish Mullidae 1 Upeneus tragula Bartail Goatfish Mullidae 1 1 Parupeneus barberinus Dot-and-dash Goatfish Mullidae Parupeneus ciliatus Diamondscale Goatfish Mullidae 3 Parupeneus multifasciatus Banded Goatfish Mullidae 4 4 Parupeneus spilurus Blacksaddle Goatfish Mullidae 3 Schuettea scalaripinnis Eastern Pomfred Monodactylidae 5 Monodactylus argenteus Diamondfish Monodactylidae Pempheris affinis Blacktip Bullseye Pempheridae 5 Kyphosus sydneyanus Silver Drummer Kyphosidae 3 Microcanthus strigatus Stripey Kyphosidae Girella tricuspidata Luderick Kyphosidae Scorpis lineolata Silver Sweep Kyphosidae 5 Atypichthys strigatus Mado Kyphosidae 3 Kyphosus cinerascens Snubnose Drummer Kyphosidae 3 Parachaetodon ocellatus Ocellate Butterflyfish Chaetodontidae 1 2 Heniochus acuminatus Longfin Bannerfish Chaetodontidae Chelmon rostratus Beaked Coralfish Chaetodontidae Chaetodon auriga Threadfin Butterflyfish Chaetodontidae Centropyge tibicen Keyhole Angelfish Pomacanthidae 3 Centropyge vroliki Pearlscale Angelfish Pomacanthidae 1 Chaetodon citrinellus Citron Butterflyfish Chaetodontidae 5 Chaetodon flavirostris Dusky Butterflyfish Chaetodontidae Chaetodon guentheri Gunther's Butterflyfish Chaetodontidae 4 2 Chaetodon kleinii Klein's Butterflyfish Chaetodontidae 2 Chaetodon lineolatus Lined Butterflyfish Chaetodontidae 1 Chaetodon lunula Racoon Butterflyfish Chaetodontidae 3 Chaetodon mertensii Mertens' Butterflyfish Chaetodontidae 1 Chaetodon vagabundus Vagabond Butterflyfish Chaetodontidae Heniochus chrysostomus Pennant Bannerfish Chaetodontidae 1 Heniochus monoceros Masked Bannerfish Chaetodontidae 1 Pomacanthus semicirculatus Blue Angelfish Pomacanthidae 4 Enoplosus armatus Old Wife Enoplosidae 1 Pristotis obtusirostris Gulf Damsel Pomacentridae 2 Abudefduf bengalensis Bengal Sergeant Pomacentridae 5 3 Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

7 Scientific Name Common Name Family Name GC Seaway Southport Bridge Trawlers - Sea World Bayview Towers Runaway Bay Marina Columbus Drive Ephraim Is Bridge Abudefduf sexfasciatus Scissortail Sergeant Pomacentridae 5 3 Abudefduf sordidus Blackspot Sergeant Pomacentridae 3 Abudefduf vaigiensis Indo-Pacific Sergeant Pomacentridae 5 Abudefduf whitleyi Whitley's Sergeant Pomacentridae 5 3 Chromis margaritifer Whitetail Puller Pomacentridae 3 Chromis nitida Yellowback Puller Pomacentridae 3 3 Chrysiptera flavipinnis Yellowfin Demoiselle Pomacentridae 1 Dascyllus trimaculatus Threespot Humbug Pomacentridae 3 Neopomacentrus azysron Yellowtail Demoiselle Pomacentridae 2 Neopomacentrus cyanomos Regal Demoiselle Pomacentridae 4 Parma oligolepis Bigscale Scalyfin Pomacentridae 5 Plectroglyphidodon leucozonus Whiteband Damsel Pomacentridae 4 Pomacentrus amboinensis Ambon Damsel Pomacentridae 4 Pomacentrus australis Australian Damsel Pomacentridae Pomacentrus coelestis Neon Damsel Pomacentridae 4 Pomacentrus nagasakiensis Blue-scribbled Damsel Pomacentridae 2 Pomacentrus wardi Ward's Damsel Pomacentridae 4 Stegastes apicalis Yellowtip Gregory Pomacentridae 4 Stegastes gascoynei Coral Sea Gregory Pomacentridae 4 Cirrhitichthys aprinus Blotched Hawkfish Cirrhitidae 5 Cirrhitichthys falco Dwarf Hawkfish Cirrhitidae 1 Chironemus marmoratus Eastern Kelpfish Chironemidae 3 Aplodactylus lophodon Rock Cale Aplodactylidae 2 Cheilodactylus vestitus Crested Morwong Cheilodactylidae Cheilodactylus fuscus Red Morwong Cheilodactylidae 3 Mugil cephalus Sea Mullet Mugilidae 5 3 Sphyraena obtusata Striped Barracuda Sphyraenidae 4 Sphyraena jello Pickhandle Barracuda Sphyraenidae 3 Choerodon cephalotes Purple Tuskfish Labridae 3 Choerodon schoenleinii Blackspot Tuskfish Labridae 4 Iniistius jacksonensis Keelhead Razorfish Labridae 1 Labroides dimidiatus Common Cleanerfish Labridae Notolabrus gymnogenis Crimsonband Wrasse Labridae 4 Cheilinus chlorourus Floral Maori Wrasse Labridae 3 1 Choerodon graphicus Graphic Tuskfish Labridae 2 Cirrhilabrus punctatus Finespot Wrasse Labridae 1 Coris aurilineata Goldlined Wrasse Labridae 2 Coris pictoides Pixy Wrasse Labridae 1 Halichoeres margaritaceus Pearly Wrasse Labridae 5 Halichoeres marginatus Dusky Wrasse Labridae 4 Halichoeres trimaculatus Threespot Wrasse Labridae 3 Hemigymnus fasciatus Fiveband Wrasse Labridae 2 Hologymnosus annulatus Ringed Slender Wrasse Labridae 1 Pseudolabrus guentheri Gunther's Wrasse Labridae Stethojulis bandanensis Redspot Wrasse Labridae 4 Stethojulis interrupta Brokenline Wrasse Labridae 5 2 Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

8 Scientific Name Common Name Family Name GC Seaway Southport Bridge Trawlers - Sea World Bayview Towers Runaway Bay Marina Columbus Drive Ephraim Is Bridge Thalassoma amblycephalum Bluehead Wrasse Labridae 1 Thalassoma lunare Moon Wrasse Labridae 5 Thalassoma lutescens Green Moon Wrasse Labridae 5 Thalassoma trilobatum Ladder Wrasse Labridae 1 Halichoeres hartzfeldii Orangeline Wrasse Labridae 3 Thalassoma nigrofasciatum Blackbarred Wrasse Labridae 3 Pteragogus flagellifer Cocktail Wrasse Labridae 3 Scarus ghobban Bluebarred Parrotfish Scaridae 5 4 Parapercis nebulosa Pinkbanded Grubfish Pinguipedidae 1 2 Parapercis australis Southern Grubfish Pinguipedidae 2 1 Parapercis stricticeps Whitestreak Grubfish Pinguipedidae 2 Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos Bluestriped Fangblenny Blenniidae 3 Aspidontus dussumieri Lance Blenny Blenniidae 2 Parablennius intermedius Horned Blenny Blenniidae 5 Petroscirtes fallax Yellow Sabretooth Blenny Blenniidae 1 Plagiotremus tapeinosoma Piano Fangblenny Blenniidae 3 Neosynchiropus ocellatus Marble Dragonet Callionymidae 1 Amblygobius phalaena Whitebarred Goby Gobiidae 1 Bathygobius krefftii Krefft's Frillgoby Gobiidae 1 Istigobius decoratus Decorated Sandgoby Gobiidae 1 Istigobius nigroocellatus Blackspotted Sandgoby Gobiidae 4 Favonigobius exquisitus Exquisite Sandgoby Gobiidae 2 Valenciennea immaculata Immaculate Glider Goby Gobiidae 2 Valenciennea strigata Blueband Glider Goby Gobiidae 2 Favonigobius lentiginosus Eastern Longfin Goby Gobiidae 1 1 Fusigobius inframaculatus Innerspot Sandgoby Gobiidae 1 Ptereleotris microlepis Greeneye Dartgoby Microdesmidae 3 Acanthurus dussumieri Pencil Surgeonfish Acanthuridae Acanthurus lineatus Bluelined Surgeonfish Acanthuridae 2 Acanthurus mata Pale Surgeonfish Acanthuridae 5 3 Acanthurus nigrofuscus Dusky Surgeonfish Acanthuridae 4 Acanthurus olivaceus Orangeblotch Surgeonfish Acanthuridae 1 Acanthurus triostegus Convict Surgeonfish Acanthuridae 5 Acanthurus xanthopterus Yellowmask Surgeonfish Acanthuridae 4 3 Naso unicornis Bluespine Unicornfish Acanthuridae 3 Prionurus maculatus Spotted Sawtail Acanthuridae 4 Prionurus microlepidotus Australian Sawtail Acanthuridae 5 Zebrasoma scopas Brown Tang Acanthuridae 2 Siganus fuscescens Black Rabbitfish Siganidae 5 3 Siganus spinus Scribbled Rabbitfish Siganidae 3 Brachirus nigra Black Sole Soleidae 1 Pardachirus hedleyi Southern Peacock Sole Soleidae 2 Monacanthus chinensis Fanbelly Leatherjacket Monacanthidae Abalistes stellatus Starry Triggerfish Balistidae 1 Sufflamen fraenatum Bridled Triggerfish Balistidae 1 Cantheschenia grandisquamis Largescale Leatherjacket Monacanthidae 1 Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

9 Scientific Name Common Name Family Name GC Seaway Southport Bridge Trawlers - Sea World Bayview Towers Runaway Bay Marina Columbus Drive Ephraim Is Bridge Meuschenia trachylepis Yellowfin Leatherjacket Monacanthidae Paraluteres prionurus Blacksaddle Filefish Monacanthidae 2 Pervagor janthinosoma Gillblotch Leatherjacket Monacanthidae 3 Sufflamen chrysopterum Eye-stripe Triggerfish Balistidae 3 Ostracion cubicus Yellow Boxfish Ostraciidae 3 Ostracion meleagris Black Boxfish Ostraciidae 1 Canthigaster coronata Crowned Toby Tetraodontidae 1 Arothron stellatus Starry Puffer Tetraodontidae 3 Arothron manilensis Narrowlined Puffer Tetraodontidae 3 Arothron nigropunctatus Blackspotted Puffer Tetraodontidae 2 Torquigener pleurogramma Weeping Toadfish Tetraodontidae 2 Arothron hispidus Stars-and-stripes Puffer Tetraodontidae Canthigaster bennetti Blackspot Toby Tetraodontidae 4 Canthigaster valentini Blacksaddle Toby Tetraodontidae 5 2 Torquigener squamicauda Scalytail Toadfish Tetraodontidae 1 Diodon holocanthus Freckled Porcupinefish Diodontidae 1 Dicotylichthys punctulatus Threebar Porcupinefish Diodontidae Diodon hystrix Spotted Porcupinefish Diodontidae 3 Abundance in Log 5 Scale Log 5 Scale Number of Fish Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

10 Appendix J Shorebird Count Data from Qld Waders Study Group Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

11 English Name Waterbirds seen on Wavebreak Island Roost (Qld Waders Study Group Historical Count Data) Scientific Name Average Count Across All Surveys Number of Surveys Species Seen Australian Darter Anhinga novahollandiae 1 2 Australian Gannet Morus serrator Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Beach Thick-knee Burhinus gigantea Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 1 1 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Common Tern Sterna hirundo Crested Tern Sterna bergii Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Double-banded Plover Charadrius bicinctus Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis Great Egret Casmerodius albus 1 1 Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 4 17 Intermediate Egret Mesophyx intermedia 1 1 Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1 6 Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Tern Sternula albifrons Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 1 1 Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles Osprey Pandion haliaetus Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 1 Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris Red Knot Calidris canutus Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Sanderling Calidris alba 4 4 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata 1 1 Silver Gull Chroicocephalus Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

12 English Name Waterbirds seen on Wavebreak Island Roost (Qld Waders Study Group Historical Count Data) Scientific Name novaehollandiae Average Count Across All Surveys Number of Surveys Species Seen Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis 1 1 Striated Heron Butorides striatus 1 2 Terek Sandpiper Tringa cinereus 3 1 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae White-winged Black Tern Chlidonius leucoptera 1 1 Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

13 Appendix K Tide Times for Survey Period Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

14 Gold Coast Seaway - Times and Heights of High and Low Waters March 12 April Monday 12 Tuesday 13 Wednesday 14 Thursday 15 Friday 16 Saturday 17 Sunday 18 Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Monday 19 Tuesday 20 Wednesday 21 Thursday 22 Friday 23 Saturday 24 Sunday 25 Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Monday 26 Tuesday 27 Wednesday 28 Thursday 29 Friday 30 Saturday 31 Sunday 1 Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Monday 2 Tuesday 3 Wednesday 4 Thursday 5 Friday 6 Saturday 7 Sunday 8 Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Monday 9 Tuesday 10 Wednesday 11 Thursday 12 Friday 13 Saturday 14 Sunday 15 Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

15 Appendix L Sediment Characterisation in the Gold Coast Broadwater Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

16 To Be Supplied

17 Appendix M Macroinverebrate Response to Dredging Client: Gold Coast City Council Doc No. VDC-S0302-SAE-0001 Doc Title: Ecological Investigations to Support the Broadwater Masterplan

18 Griffith School of Environment Griffith University 2803ENV Coastal Environments Group Research Project: Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater Thomas Horig Rachael Hannah Victoria Baynham Trudy Davidson Louise Robin Ryan Valois May 2012, Semester 1 Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 1

19 Abstract This assessment of macro-invertebrate response to dredge fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater has been prepared for VDM Consulting. The study area for the purposes of this report is the western border of the Southport Broadwater extending from Anzac Park in the north to the Southport pier in the south. The objective is to assess and quantify the effects of dredge fill, as a form of beach nourishment, on marine macro-invertebrates in the inter-tidal zone. Field surveys were undertaken by Griffith University undergraduate scientists during April 2012, with the survey effort comprising a total of 72 survey-person hours of intertidal benthic macro-invertebrate sampling. Several species of benthic macro-invertebrate fauna were identified as utilising the intertidal zone of the project area during the survey period. Dominant fauna included deposit feeders, predominantly soldier crabs (Mictyris longicarpus) and polychaetes. Comparisons across three treatment areas including high impact, low impact and no impact (determined by proximity to dredge fill) reveal that dredge fill as a form of nourishment, impacts macro-invertebrate communities in the short term. However, despite a sharp decline in numbers and diversity due to dredge fill initially, there are indicators that macro-invertebrate communities can recover given time. To promote this recovery, it is recommended that existing nourishment techniques be altered to achieve a more gradual slope or natural beach profile, thereby promoting recruitment and settlement and increasing resilience in macro-invertebrate communities. Due to the limited survey period, it could not accurately concluded that dredge fill nourishment has major and long-term impacts upon the macro-invertebrate species in the Gold Coast Broadwater. It is therefore recommended that continued, longer-term monitoring be undertaken over the next two years to gain a more accurate picture of the resilience and recovery of macroinvertebrates to dredge nourishment. Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 2

20 Contents 1 Introduction Background Objectives Site Location Site and Surrounding Land Use Coastal Land Forms Methods Field Investigations Methodology Survey Limitations Results Benthic Macro-Invertebrates Discussion Macro-Invertebrate Presence Conclusions References Tables Table 2.1 BOM Gold Coast Seaway Tide Times April Table 3.1 Beach Macro-invertebrate Survey Species List... 9 Figures Figure 1.1 Site Location... 5 Figure 3.1 Macro-invertebrate response to dredge fill Figure 4.1 Density of Crab Holes found at the study sites Figure 4.2 Comparison of Polychaete and Soldier Crab response to dredge fill Appendices Appendix A Benthic Macro-invertebrate Survey Data Appendix B Species Specific Responses Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 3

21 1 Introduction This assessment of macro-invertebrate response to dredge fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater has been prepared for VDM Consulting. The study area for the purposes of this report is the western border of the Southport Broadwater extending from Anzac Park in the north to the Southport pier in the south. 1.1 Background The Gold Coast Broadwater has important marine environmental values in a city-wide context, largely as a result of the vegetated and unvegetated soft sediment communities that dominate the littoral and sublittoral environments. The site forms part of the lower estuarine reaches of the Nerang River, but could also be considered as a semi-enclosed bay with marine habitat values. The Broadwater bathymetry is characterised by shallow sand banks, extensive intertidal zones and deeper channels from depths of 0.0 m to approximately 6.0 m. Soft sedimentary habitats support a diverse assemblage of invertebrates, including polychaete worms, bivalves, crustaceans and echinoderms, which in turn provide prey items for fish and birds. Sediment composition is vital to the species that live in a particular place, by altering the composition through activities such as marine dredge fill dumping, resident flora and fauna are hindered in their growth. This may allow opportunities for other species to grow, resulting in the formation of an assemblage that may vary greatly to that which existed before nourishment (Desprez, 2000; Boyd et al., 2005; Cooper et al., 2011). Many birds protected under international conservation treaties use the sandbanks in the Broadwater as foraging grounds and roosting areas. Some fish such as whiting, also forage on sandbanks as the incoming tide exposes food items. The sandbanks are therefore important for the survival of bird and fish populations in the Broadwater. Many bioturbating macro-invertebrates live in this habitat, particularly soldier crabs (Mictyris longicarpus), which are essential to the turnover of sand and integrity of this landscape. These areas are also commonly exploited by recreational fishermen for bait (i.e. yabbies and worms). The significance of deeper channels as habitat is less well known but is becoming increasingly welldocumented in literature. Benthic productivity is lower than adjacent shallower habitats, with allochthonous organic matter a major component of productivity. Species utilising these areas include larger species of teleost fish, including many predatory species such as bull sharks (A. Cuttriss, pers. comm). The larger, predatory fish that live in channels also feed on smaller fish and invertebrates that move from the shallows to the channels at low tide. Several of these species are recreationally important. The channels also allow safe passage for boats and other water craft. The Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) is considering further development of the Southport Broadwater Parklands (SBP), following the success of the initial stages of development in this location. Further development the western foreshore of the Broadwater has the potential to impact the existing marine ecological values. This report has been prepared to quantify baseline values of benthic macro-invertebrate communities in the Gold Coast Broadwater. Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 4

22 1.2 Objectives The objective of this assessment is to assess and quantify the effects of dredge fill, as a form of beach nourishment, on marine macro-invertebrates in the inter-tidal zone in the Gold Coast Broadwater. 1.3 Site Location The site area for the purposes of this report is western extent of the Southport Broadwater foreshore, extending from Anzac Park in the north to the Southport pier in the south. The selected site is well known to contain extensive and generally uniform coverage of marine macro-invertebrates and bioturbation areas in the intertidal zone. The site covers an area of approximately 12,500 m 2 and has been divided into three (3) distinct zones based on the proximity to beach nourishment; these are high impact, low impact and no impact. The location of these areas is indicated in Figure 1.1 below. LEGEND High Impact (HI) Low Impact (LI) No Impact (NI) 1.4 Site and Surrounding Land Use Figure 1.1 Site Location The subject area is located on the Broadwater side of the SBP and other coastal recreational reserves including Anzac Park and the Southport Pier. These areas are popular recreational assets, with childrens playgrounds, boat ramp facilities and expansive calm water access. The area is used extensively for Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 5

23 numerous active and passive recreational pursuits. Immediately adjacent to the parklands are a mix of medium to high density residential dwellings, tourist accommodation and commercial facilities including Australia Fair Shopping Centre, many small businesses and legal and medical centres (Figure 1.1). 1.5 Coastal Land Forms The study area covers a length of approximately 0.5 km from Anzac Park in the north to the Southport pier in the south. The beach profiles along most of the foreshore within the subject site are generally in the vicinity of 1:10 to 1:20. Beach nourishment using dredge fill has altered this beach profile and effectively transformed the habitat of the macro-invertebrates that reside there. A number of engineering structures exist within and near the foreshore of the site, including a created mangrove wetland in the north, a public boat ramp and vegetation fencing within the site, and a pier in the south. These structures have been constructed to protect the beach areas and formalise the foreshore, providing safe recreational use of the area. Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 6

24 2 Methods 2.1 Field Investigations Field sampling and surveys were conducted to evaluate the macro-invertebrate communities within the designated subject area. The field surveys commenced at pm on Wednesday the 4 th April 2012, and were repeated approximately every seven days for a period of four (4) weeks by a team of six (6) undergraduate scientists. Sampling was performed within the intertidal zones, approximately 1 to 2 hours either side of the low tide (see Table 2.1 for tide times). The total survey effort comprised approximately 72 survey-person hours. 2.2 Methodology Three distinct zones based on the proximity to beach nourishment were selected within the study area to be used as treatments. These were (a) High Impact the zone where dredge fill was directly deposited, (b) Low Impact the zone fringing dredge deposit and (c) No Impact the zone independent of dredge deposit, recognised as the control treatment. 1. Quadrats of 1 m 2 were randomly placed six (6) times within the intertidal habitat of a sample site, and using a hand-held GPS unit to an accuracy of ± 4 m the locations were recorded (this was done so that quadrats were not placed over the same spot week to week as to minimise bias in sampling). 2. The number of crab/yabbie holes were counted and recorded to give an initial indication of the macro-invertebrate community present. 3. Using shovels, surface sediment was removed to a depth of 30 cm and placed through a sieve with a mesh size of 5 mm. 4. The macro-invertebrates remaining after removal of the sand/sediment in the sieve were identified, counted and recorded. 5. Steps 1 5 were then repeated at each treatment site ( High impact, low impact and no impact ). The purpose of this sampling was to provide a snapshot of the macro-invertebrate taxa within the sediment of the intertidal zone that may be affected by dredge nourishment and an approximation of their relative density in order to make temporal comparisons. Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 7

25 Table 2.1 BOM Gold Coast Seaway Tide Times April 2012 Wednesday 4 Wednesday 11 Wednesday 18 Thursday 26 Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Tide heights are in metres above Prediction Datum, red for low water and blue for high water. The times stated are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (24 hour clock). 2.3 Survey Limitations Although assessments of habitat and species ecology do provide a measure to predict the presence of species (i.e. in lieu of direct observation), it should be noted that there are no methodologies that can be used to predict, with absolute certainty, the absence of a species from marginal or potential habitat. Sediment sampling is an invasive technique in studying soft shore communities. It is appreciated that in a 3- Dimensional environment this is the most practical technique for studying soft shore dynamics. In order to avoid sampling a previously disturbed area a hand-held GPS unit to an accuracy of ± 4 m was used to record each individual sample location, however due to the accuracy of ± 4 m it is understood some overlap of samples was possible. Tidal heights may also have impacted the results due to variation of spring and neap tidal events, however performing sampling 1 2 hours either side of low tide should have accounted for this. Despite the limitations acknowledged above, the survey has been undertaken at adequate resolution to assess and quantify the effects of dredge fill on marine macro-invertebrates within the project area. Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 8

26 3 Results 3.1 Benthic Macro-Invertebrates The relative density of macro-invertebrates within the intertidal sediments at each treatment area was calculated by averaging the number of macro-invertebrates found in the six (6) quadrat samples at each treatment site. This data was LOG transformed in order to normalise it, and account for outliers that are likely to exist. The same was repeated for the mean density of crab holes. The species list for individuals found during sampling activities is shown below in Table 3.1, while raw data from quadrat sampling can be found in Appendix A. A total of eight (8) invertebrate species were identified along with several polychaete species, all of which were recorded during sampling. Table 3.1 Beach Macro-invertebrate Survey Species List Scientific Name Common Name Abundance # Australium tentoriiformis tent turban R Batillaria australis a gastropod O Callianassa australiensis common yabby R Donax sp. a pippi R Mictyris longicarpus soldier crab A Nerita planospira flat nerite O Phycomenes zostericola Zostera shrimp R Scopimera inflata sand bubbler O # Abundance: A = Abundant, C = Common, F = Frequent, O = Occasional, R = Rare From the data obtained, a visual representation was created in order observe the response of macroinvertebrates to dredge fill. Figure 3.1 below shows the difference in number of macro-invertebrates found at each treatment site over the four week period of sampling. It reveals that the low impact and no impact sites exhibit similar numbers of macro-invertebrates over the entire study period. In contrast, the high impact site had significantly less numbers, however showed an increase over the entire study period. The mean density of macro-invertebrates at the no impact site was found to be 44.8 animals per 0.3 m 3 of surface sediments,with crab holes occurring at a mean density of 34.0 holes per 1 m 2. At the low impact site, there was a mean of 28.1 animals per 0.3 m 3 and crab holes occurring at 24.4 holes per 1 m 2. The high impact site showed far less density of animals and crab holes, exhibiting 4.25 animals per 0.3 m 3 and 2.8 holes per 1 m 2. Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 9

27 Figure 3.1 Macro-invertebrate response to dredge fill The data shows that the greatest density of crab holes and animals occurred at the control site which was the furthest sample site from any dredge fill beach nourishment. This was closely followed by the low impact site which was located on the fringe and extending away from the beach nourishment operations. The high impact site which was directly subject to dredge fill had the least density of crab holes and animals, averaging approximately 85 % less density of crab holes and macro-invertebrates than the low and no impact sites. The dredge affected site did however exhibit some traits of recovery over time as seen in Figure 3.1 above, where the density of animals appears to be heading towards that of the other treatment sites. Soldier crabs were by far the most numerically dominant species within the intertidal sediments, with generally far greater numbers found than other macro-invertebrates. All other species occurred infrequently with the exception of polychaetes, which were also found homogeneously throughout sampling but in generally less numbers than soldier crabs. An anomalous was the occurrence of polychaetes in greater numbers than soldier crabs at the high impact site for the entire study period (see Appendix A for species counts). Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 10

28 4 Discussion 4.1 Macro-Invertebrate Presence The intertidal zone of the study area is providing habitat within surface sediments for deposit feeders, particularly species such as the soldier crab, but also other burrowing invertebrates such as polychaetes and bivalve molluscs. Benthic marine invertebrates have an important function in the conversion and subsequent transfer of energy through estuarine food webs. Furthermore, invertebrates perform a critical role in the diet of numerous fish species and migratory waders listed under international conventions in Australia (e.g. JAMBA, CAMBA and Bonn). The results of this study indicate that dredge fill used for beach nourishment is impacting macroinvertebrates in the intertidal zone of the Gold Coast Broadwater. However given the limited time frame of this study, this result is inconclusive. Previous studies have described the concentration of soldier crabs and other bioturbators around stormwater infrastructure, which may indicate the crabs are utilising the terrestrial organic material entering the Broadwater from upstream terrestrial catchments and that regular flows may provide suitable bathymetry for settlement of such species. Topography may also be an important determinant of benthic macro-invertebrate presence, as locations with gentle profiles are generally observed to have greater macro-invertebrate presence and obvious areas of bioturbation. The entire study area in this experiment is located next to a series of stormwater drains, and a created mangrove wetland which both provide nutrients to the area, most likely why the community of soldier crabs, other bioturbators and macroinvertebrates exist. Similar research has demonstrated impacts on macro-invertebrate communities from dredge fill include decline of individual density and species abundance (Jewett et al., 1999; van Dalfsen et al., 2000; Boyd et al., 2003). The results of this study reveal that on average, there was approximately 85 % less density of crab holes and macro-invertebrates at the high impact site compared to both the control and intermediate sites. This suggests that dredge nourishment must be altering the determinants of macro-invertebrate presence in the Gold Coast Broadwater, in this case that determinant is beach profile and topography. Figure 4.1 Density of Crab Holes found at the study sites Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 11

29 While the number of crab holes is not a rigid indicator of macro-invertebrate presence, it does provide a good initial indication of their presence. In this study, the number of crab holes was positively correlated to the invertebrate population where a high number of crab holes typically yielded a high number of invertebrates. The four week study further revealed that the number of crab holes varied greatly from week to week. Despite this, the high impact site showed an overall increase over the study period, giving an initial indication that the macro-invertebrate population, despite a sharp decline in numbers, could recover over a longer time period. This is presented in Figure 4.1 above. It should be noted that all the data has been log transformed for normalisation and since it is the comparison and trends between sites that the study was specifically investigating. Upon review of the data it became apparent that the presence of soldier crabs, being the dominant species recorded during the study, may have biased the recovery of other macro-invertebrates. Because soldier crabs and polychaetes were the only consistent finds of the sampling, a comparison of their responses over time to dredge fill was made to investigate the aforementioned concern. Appendix B contains figures showing the response of these individuals to the dredge fill, while Figure 4.2 reveals a key finding; polychaete populations recover rapidly to beach nourishment (one week in this instance), while the soldier crab numbers indicted a slower recovery rate. It is well documented in the literature that that polychaetes recover more rapidly from disturbance (Newell et al., 1998; Fraser et al. 2006). It is difficult to confirm whether the soldier crab population is recovering as the increase in population over the four weeks was minimal compared to the control population, consequently, longer-term sampling is recommended to investigate this. Figure 4.2 Comparison of Polychaete and Soldier Crab response to dredge fill The profile of the beach is important for the development of macro-invertebrate communities, and one of the major effects of using dredge fill to nourish the foreshore is the alteration of the state of the beach profile. In the study site, the bank profile is gentle, with slopes ranging within 1:10 to 1:20. The current method of beach nourishment being applied, deposits fill at the top-end of the bank only, so dredge material runs down the bank. The observed result from this technique is that the beach profile is less Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 12

30 gradual; the top of the bank is extended and the intertidal zone as a result becomes shorter and steeper. This results in a less suitable habitat for the recruitment and settlement of marine macro-organisms. Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 13

31 5 Conclusions Using sediment sampling techniques, this study assessed the short-term response of macro-invertebrate communities within a part of the Gold Coast Broadwater to beach nourishment using dredge fill. The results indicate that marine macro-invertebrate populations are initially impacted by the application of dredge fill for beach nourishment. Populations of invertebrates and numbers of crab holes were found to be approximately 85 % less in the site directly impacted by dredge fill compared to the fringing and control sites. The invertebrate community showed traits of recovery, more so in polychaetes than soldier crabs the two most commonly recorded macro-invertebrates in the study. Literature and previous studies suggest that macro-invertebrate communities are found near stormwater outlets and in areas where the beach profile is gradual. This study was undertaken in an area with significant input from stormwater outlets, and as such it is recommended further studies be undertaken in areas where this factor does not exist as the availability of food from these following beach nourishment may be a determinant in (in fact promoting) the recovery of a community. As some recovery was evident during this study it is understood that nourishment may not have negative long-term impacts upon the benthic infauna, however it is recommended that the current beach profiles achieved through nourishment activities could be reviewed. During the study it was observed that nourishment activities created a much steeper foreshore profile than that observed in natural or nonimpacted areas. This steeper profile reduces the area of sediment affected by tidal inundation and as such may reduce the area of habitat suitable for macro-invertebrates to settle. If existing nourishment techniques where altered to allow for creation of a beach profile that more closely reflected the existing beach condition and slope, macro-invertebrate communities could become more resilient to the stress associated with nourishment. Due to the limited time frame and as such, the small number of sample data and variation found, it is difficult to accurately conclude that dredge fill nourishment has major and long-term impacts upon the macro-invertebrate species in the Gold Coast Broadwater. It is therefore recommended that continued monitoring be undertaken over the next two years to gain a more accurate picture of the resilience and recovery of macro-invertebrates to dredge nourishment. Despite these shortcomings, the results suggest that current nourishment procedures negatively affect short-term recovery of macro-invertebrate communities of the Broadwater foreshore. Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 14

32 6 References Boyd, S. E., Limpenny, D. S., Rees, H. L., Cooper, K. M. and Campbell, S. (2003). Preliminary observations of the effects of dredging intensity on the re-colonisation of dredged sediments off the southeast coast of England (Area 222). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 57, Boyd, S.E., Limpenny, D.S., Rees, H.L. and Cooper, K.M. (2005). The effects of marine sand and gravel extraction on the macrobenthos at a commercial dredging site (results 6 years post-dredging). J. Mar. Sci., 62 (2), Cooper, K. M., Curtis, M., Wan Hussin, W.M.R., Barrio Froján, C. R. S., Defew, E., Nye, V. and Paterson, D. M. (2011). Implications of dredging induced changes in sediment particle size composition for the structure and function of marine benthic macrofaunal communities. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62, van Dalfsen, J. A., Essink, K., Toxvig madsen, H., Birklund, J., Romero, J. and Manzanera, M. (2000). Differential response of macrozoobenthos to marine sand extraction in the North Sea and the Western Mediterranean. Journal of Marine Science, 57, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. (2011). Threatened species and ecological communities listing advice. Australian Government, Canberra. Internet Publication accessed April Desprez, M. (2000). Physical and biological impact of marine aggregate extraction along the French coast of the Eastern English Channel: short-and long-term post-dredging restoration. J. Mar. Sci, 57, Fraser, C., Hutchings, P. and Williamson, J. (2006). Long-term changes in polychaete assemblages of Botany Bay (NSW, Australia) following a dredging event. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 52, Jewett, S. C., Feder, H. M. and Blanchard, A. (1999). Assessment of the benthic environment following offshore placer gold mining in the North-eastern Bering Sea. Marine Environmental Research, 48, Newell, R. C., Seiderer, L. J. and Hitchcock, D. R. (1998). The impact of dredging works in coastal waters: a review of the sensitivity to disturbance and subsequent recovery of biological resources on the sea bed. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 36, pp Macro-invertebrate Response to Dredge Fill in the Gold Coast Broadwater 15

33 Appendix A Benthic Macro-invertebrate Survey Data Table 1: No Impact Site Date Sample No. Holes Polycheates Mictyris longicarpus Mollusc Callianassa australiensis Phycomenes zostericola /04/ /04/ /04/

34 /04/ Table 2: Low Impact Site Date Sample No. Holes Polycheates Mictyris longicarpus Mollusc Callianassa australiensis Phycomenes zostericola Australium tentoriiformis Batillaria australis Scopimera inflata /04/ /04/

35 /04/ /04/ Table 3: High Impact Site Date Sample No. Holes Polycheates Mictyris longicarpus Mollusc Callianassa australiensis Phycomenes zostericola Donax sp. Nerita planospira /04/