Concern as Queensland port plans sea dump in coral spawning season
The Port of Townsville will soon begin dredging sediment from shipping channels and dumping it at sea within days of mass coral spawning, concerning residents on nearby Magnetic Island.
Queensland's Townsville Port plans to dump dredged sediment at sea just days after a predicted mass coral spawning event, sparking concern among nearby Magnetic Island residents. James Cook University coral ecologist Andrew Baird explained that coral spawning is crucial for reef recovery, and any disturbance could hinder the process.
Magnetic Island resident Chad Bertram, who operates a scuba and snorkel business, fears the dredge spoil could linger in the water and have long-term negative effects on the local reefs, especially during spawning season. Local environmental group Magnetic Island Nature Care Association, led by Gethin Morgan, has long voiced concerns about the port's dumping practices.
Coral ecologist Katharina Fabricius from the Australian Institute of Marine Science emphasized that coral larvae are highly sensitive to poor water quality, even weeks after spawning. The port claims it has temporarily halted dredging to avoid the main spawning window in October, but maintenance dredging is scheduled to resume from November 4 for 10 days.
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