Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p72
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 203860–206849

extensive seagrass beds. Muddier areas occurred on the northern, southern and western shores of the lagoon and were inhabited by large mud crabs (Scylla sp.). Some small corals lived near the lagoon entrance and green turtles often entered the lagoon to feed on seagrass. The lagoon supported at least 12 species of fish (from 10 families), including:\ Albula glossodonta, Carcharhinus melanopterus, Chanos chanos, Crenimugil crenilabis, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, Gerres acinaces, Liza vaigiensis, Lutjanus fulvus, L. monostigma and species of trevally (Carangidae), emperor (Lethrinidae) and goatfish (Mullidae) (Hobbs 2009).
As a consequence of the closure of the lagoon entrance, the lagoon has shrunk in size and become stagnant. Underwater surveys undertaken in November 2008 revealed that there is a dense mat of cyanobacteria, varying in thickness from 1–50 centimetres, covering the bottom of the entire lagoon. Underneath the mat is a thin layer (0–2 centimetres) of black sediment that lies on top of the sand. In areas where the mat is thick, swimming and walking through the mat releases a pungent smell (like rotten eggs) that is indicative of hydrogen sulphide. Seagrass was absent throughout all the areas surveyed both inside and outside the lagoon. No animal life was observed on the surface of the sediment, but a profusion of small dead shells was found throughout the lagoon. The only animal life observed was an abundance of small shrimp (>4 centimetres in total length) hovering in the water column above the cyanobacteria mat, and 10 to 20 large milkfish (Chanos chanos) (Hobbs 2009).
Although the lagoon entrance has closed periodically before, natural reopening of the lagoon entrance at this time will be difficult due to the build-up of sand and rubble and colonisation by grasses and trees. Elsewhere, lagoons that have been closed for some time can be reopened by storms; however, these entrances soon close again (Allen and Robertson, 1996). It appears that the recent lagoon closure may be permanent (Hobbs 2009).

                   Appendices

Appendix A
General list of definitions (including acronyms)
In this plan, unless the contrary intention appears:
AFP means the Australian Federal Police
AFMA means the Australian Fisheries Management Authority or other agency that may be responsible for administering the Fisheries Management Act 1991 or any Act that replaces it
Australian Government means the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia
Biological diversity or biodiversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, diversity between species and diversity of ecosystems
Biological resources means genetic resources, organisms, parts of organisms, populations and any other biotic component of an ecosystem with actual or potential use or value for