Help us protect the Great Sandy Strait: Rare dolphins, turtles and dugong rely on it
Why do they need our protection?
The Great Sandy Strait and Tin Can Inlet are home to the threatened dugong, 5 of the marine turtle species and the rare Indo Pacific humpback dolphin.
These species rely on coastal or marine estuarine environments and are under pressure for survival throughout the world, largely as a result of human related activity. Two proposed marina developments in the Tin Can Inlet could have devastating consequences for the local populations of these beautiful animals.
Migratory birds are also under threat with these developments either totally within or adjacent to Ramsar designated wetlands of international importance.
What are the risks posed by marina developments?
- Boat strike is a major cause of death for dugong and turtles
- Disturbance to marine mammal behaviour through increased traffic
- Noise pollution is a problem for dolphins
- Direct harassment
- Marine debris can lead to entanglement, serious illness or death
- Destruction of critical habitat, seagrass beds and mangroves
- Potential impacts on water quality impacting on marine ecosystem
- Negative impacts on Ramsar wetland areas
Deterioration of habitat, such as sea grass and mangroves resulting from the construction process and ongoing dredging impacts on water quality, sedimentation. Whilst Dugong and Green turtles rely heavily on sea grass, it is important that we recognise that all marine species are reliant on the health of the entire marine ecosystem
How can you help?
Visit our Help Us page for details of how you can help by contacting politicians, spreading the message etc. With your help we can make a difference.
Become a fan of our Facebook page or send us a message via our Contacts page to receive campaign updates.
Why is this the wrong location for marina development?
As shown below Tin Can Inlet and the Great Sandy Strait are very narrow waterways which vary greatly in depth. At low tide boats and our marine wildlife will be forced into the same narrow channels. Dugong have been known to be killed by simply having nowhere to dive and then crushed between the boat and the bottom.
The graphic comparison between the relatively open waterways of Moreton Bay and our region demonstrates clearly that marina development in this area is inappropriate.
Click image above to view enlarged version
Moreton Bay have recorded up to 200 deaths of Marine Turtles in a year; boat strike, marine debris and illness. Scientists believe the reduction in water quality associated with human proximity is a major contributing factor to sick turtles
Our Region
The Great Sandy Strait is the marine waterway separating World Heritage listed Fraser Island and the mainland. The southern end adjoins Tin Can Inlet with the townships of Tin Can Bay, Cooloola Cove and Rainbow Beach making up the Cooloola coastline.
The region is known for its natural beauty with beautiful beaches, pristine waterways and extensive wetlands. The region has national and international recognition for its high level of biodiversity which to date remains largely unspoiled.
The wetlands are protected under the International Ramsar convention as a vitally important migratory bird stopover. The highly productive marine ecosystem includes extensive seagrass meadows and mangrove forests which sustain a wide variety of marine life, including dugong, turtles, dolphins, fish molluscs and crustaceans.
The mangrove forests also support a wide range of birds, mammals and reptiles.
An application for World Heritage status is underway.
The UNESCO designation as The Great Sandy Biosphere already gives the region “...worldwide recognition of the outstanding natural beauty and high levels of biodiversity.” (BMRG 2009)
We hope you will join us in our fight to keep it safe for future generations to enjoy.