1 February 2007

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is recognising World Wetlands Day 2007 (Friday 02 February) by highlighting the vital role that protecting wetlands from pollutants and over development plays in boosting fish stocks.

GBRMPA’s Water Quality and Coastal Development Acting Director Leigh Gray said 79 fish species used both freshwater and saltwater wetlands to breed along the Great Barrier Reef coast.

“It’s important fish can move freely between saltwater and freshwater wetlands,” Mr Gray said.

“Some fish will spend most of their lives in saltwater habitats and migrate to freshwater to breed, whilst others will spend most of their lives in freshwater and migrate to saltwater to breed.

“Wetlands provide important breeding, nursery and shelter habitat for a range of marine life including fish, crabs and prawns. Particularly in time of flood, fish may be encouraged to move up the river system for spawning.

“This is a technique of survival for the young fish as they can use things such as leaves and branches for shelter and protection from predators.

“It has taken people a long time to realise how important connected healthy wetlands are to what happens out on the reef. Commercial and recreational fisheries in Queensland rely on healthy wetlands. If we want to keep catching many of the fish we enjoy we need healthy wetlands.

“Our wetlands are under pressure due to land clearing for urban development and agricultural activities. Other threats include aquaculture development and man-made barriers.

“Everyone can do their bit to help protect wetlands, whether it be someone who has a wetland on their property or even someone that just goes down to their local waterhole or beach for a swim.

“Many farmers and other land managers have been working with Landcare groups, industry and governments to rehabilitate wetlands in their area.”

Just some of the things people can do to protect wetlands include:

• Taking all of their rubbish home with them when visiting a wetland
• Keeping drains and gutters around their home and workplace free of chemicals and rubbish as what goes down the drain may end up in wetlands.
• Using garden beds at their home or workplace to capture rainwater and minimise runoff
• Washing their car on the lawn, as when they wash it on the road or in the driveway, detergents will wash into nearby drains and may end up in local waterways or the Great Barrier Reef
• Sharing these messages and your knowledge about wetlands with others.