The loss and degradation of the seagrass habitats: grounds for concern and guidelines for port development at Jervis Bay

Abstract

Over the past 15 years, the potential loss of marine flora has become a matter for concern, both internationally and nationally, when port and associated developments are proposed. In an international context, the level of concern was illustrated by McRoy and others in 1973 and a call was made for greater research effort in the field of seagrass biology. More recently, these concerns have again been focused on by Weibe et al. (in press), when looking at the environmental effects of coal port development proposals by Pacific-rim nations. This raised awareness has occurred because of both the physical and the biological changes which have resulted from the loss degradation of seagrass meadows.