Redcliffe Sunrise Rotary Club – Advocacy for Mangrove Protection

The Redcliffe Sunrise Rotary Club is undertaking mangrove awareness projects during World Mangrove Day to bring attention to the importance of mangroves.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, mangrove forests are in decline. However, the rate of loss is slowing. Mangroves are tropical species found on sheltered coastlines and estuaries in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The plant covers less than 1% of all tropical forests worldwide. 

The main threat for mangroves is land conversion for other uses such as agriculture, aquaculture, urban development, and infrastructure. Between 1980 and 2005, the world lost an alarming 20% of mangrove areas. How can we protect remaining mangroves? How do we reverse human-driven loss of mangroves? What are the consequences of mangrove loss?

What is Redcliffe Sunrise Rotary Club’s role in mangrove conservation?

The club lives on the edge of the Moreton Bay Marine Park. The community lives, works, and plays in this environment so it is very important to protect it. Over the last 12 months, Colin Scobie started up ESRAG-Moreton Bay to emphasise the conservation of the environment for future generations. ESRAG stands for Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group and is the seventh area of focus that Rotary has set up. It is gathering pace at an enormous rate and is one of the fastest growing environment action groups in Rotary. ESRAG-Moreton Bay is an initiative from members of Redcliffe Sunrise Rotary Club to put out a call to Rotary Clubs to lobby councillors for the long term protection of the natural environment. 

The disrespect of Moreton Bay Marine Park with litter and off-leash dogs disturbing the migratory birds along the intertidal zone means our next generation of children will have little of the natural environment to awe at. We must make behavioural change to reverse this demise.

Proudly supported by ESRAG

World Mangrove Day is also an ideal opportunity to bring attention to the public about the importance of this habitat so the community fights to protect the environment. ESRAG-Moreton Bay hosted an all-day event to raise awareness and the day included hourly tours, BBQ, and information on mangroves.

Why is it so important to protect mangroves?

Colin Scobie identifies seven key reasons to highlight the importance of mangroves:

1. They represent biological diversity for fish, shellfish, birds, turtles, amongst other species.
2. They ascertain livelihoods by supporting the healthy fishing industry.
3. Mangroves are great filters for waterways and trap sediment.
4. They are a great coastal defence against erosion.
5. Mangroves represent an important sink for carbon storage.
6. They contain untapped biological compounds that Rotary search is researching.
7. Ecotourism is a key benefit that will be generated as a consequence of mangrove conservation.

In the context of Australia, mangroves are special in that they protect the foreshores, the habitat, the fish, and the environment in which we live, work, and play. They are critical in the overall scheme of things. The oxygen that comes from the mangroves and the carbon they absorb are a very critical aspect of the environment. 

What are the biggest threats to Mangroves in Australia?

The biggest threat is urban squeeze, whereby settlements are being pushed further up against the barrier of the mangroves. We have to encourage councils across the three levels of government to stand up and protect these mangroves. We have to come to agreement with town planners and councillors to make sure we have a balance in this environment we live in. 

How to help

What Ocean Innovators® are doing with this video gives ESRAG-Moreton Bay great support and encouragement to do this project. The club is working on mangrove awareness but is also planning events for Threatened Species Day and World Environment Day. 

Mangroves are the nurseries of the ocean. They encourage fish, oysters, birds, bees, and everything that lives in this environment. Colin shares these thoughts with us: “Without this biodiversity, it would not be a good outcome for us.We would lose that idea of going into play with nature. Respect where you live, work, and play for future generations.”

The community is key to spreading the word about the importance of the environment to protect mangroves. It is crucial to protect the intertidal zone for natural habitats, reduce or eliminate plastic use, and preserve recreational fishing to bring respect to the environment.

The project vision is to hold an event annually on World Mangrove Day, bringing more environment awareness to the region. The vision is to have canoe tours on the day with food and environment booths along with entertainment for visitors to stop for a moment and absorb the ambiance that is in their environment. 

You can help support the actions of ESRAG-Moreton Bay by keeping up with their projects on their website or on Facebook.