Natural seagrass restoration at Mutton Cove

Low spring tides (e.g. 0.5m) have revealed that there is natural seagrass (Zostera) restoration occuring at the northern end of Mutton Cove and at the southern end, where the seawall has been breached.

When part of the seawall at Mutton Cove Conservation Reserve collapsed in the high tide (3.9m) of May 9th 2016, it seemed likely that seagrass growing on the River side of the seawall would be lost, given the fast flows in and out of the new channel (now channels).

At the southern end of Mutton Cove, seagrass has now been observed growing in the bed of the (ever-widening) channel.

Separate observations have also been made of partially submerged seagrass in the second breach site of the seawall.

Seagrass and young mangroves in channel at southern end of Mutton Cove Conservation Reserve. Photo by Dr Alice Jones.

Partially submerged seagrass, by second breach site of Mutton Cove seawall. Photo by Kym Murphy.

At the northern end of Mutton Cove, on the River side, the seagrass has been observed and photographed by Kym Murphy, in the movements of the tide.

Seagrass visible at low tide, northern end of Mutton Cove Conservation Reserve, 29th August 2018

Seagrass establishing itself around pinna in Port River, at northern end of Mutton Cove Conservation Reserve, 28 August 2018