Table : Monitoring requirements for the Western Port Ramsar Site. Program Indicators and method Frequency Responsibility Linkages to existing programs / activities Recommended locations Water quality Salinity, dissolved oxygen, water clarity, nutrients (dissolved and total) and chlorophyll-a. Algal species and enumeration. Toxicant loads entering site from known sources. Monthly and event based EPA Victoria Parks Victoria Melbourne Water Current water quality monitoring by EPA Melbourne Water funded sediments in estuary mouths study EPA Marine Fixed Site Network (FSN) sites and priority toxicant hotspots Intertidal mud and sand flat extent Extent of intertidal habitats via remote sensing, using the methods developed by Murray et al. (2012). Every five years DELWP None found Entire site Seagrass Mapping extent using the remote sensing methods of Blake and Ball (Blake and Ball 2001). Condition assessment (see (Warry and Hindell 2012) for method used in the Gippsland Lakes). Mapping every five years. Condition every two years. DELWP Parks Victoria benthic habitat mapping at French Island and Yaringa Marine Parks Melbourne Water Entire site Saltmarsh and mangrove extent Extent of saltmarsh and mangroves (as per Boon et al 2011). Every ten years DELWP CMA Boon et al (2011) mapped saltmarsh communities. Entire site Saltmarsh and mangrove condition Purpose built condition assessment that measures: Species composition and abundance (cover) Invasive species Structure Recruitment Every five years DELWP CMA Parks Victoria Marine Protected Area monitoring programs Entire site Invertebrate diversity, abundance Parks Victoria method for monitoring soft sediments and reef communities. Every two to five years DELWP Parks Victoria Parks Victoria Marine Protected Area monitoring programs Representative soft and hard surface habitats Shorebird abundance and diversity (resident and migratory species) BirdLife Australia standard methods. Bi-annual DELWP Current: Shorebirds 2020 Priority roosting sites as per (Hansen et al. 2011). Monitoring of breeding for beach nesting species Surveys of priority nest sites. Camera monitoring for predators. Annual DELWP Parks Victoria Victorian Wader Studies Group Priority beach nesting locations (map) Native fish: abundance and trends Purpose built monitoring program will need to be developed. At a minimum surveys should measure abundance and community composition. Consideration given to population age structure, perhaps via the use of otolith samples for a subsample of common species. Annual DELWP Parks Victoria Marine National Parks Monitoring Program Entire site
Implementation Stakeholder Group Lead communication Level of Engagement Purpose Tools Engagement Objectives Key Messages Project Manager Consultant Empower Effective project delivery Regular meetings Email project updates (fortnightly) Ensure clarity of scope and process Encourage maximum partner input Ensure alignment with Government requirements Adhere to project plan and manage variations Steering Committee Consultant Empower High ownership of Plan and involvement in development High agency commitment to implementation Regular meetings (minutes) Workshops Provide material for reporting back to agencies Maximise communication with project manager Importance in integrating the plan with existing activities Ownership of management strategies and implementation Stakeholder Advisory Group Consultant Collaborate To ensure local knowledge and expertise informs the plan Technical workshop Central database of relevant information Ensure early understanding and opportunity for input Connect with external networks and expertise Obtain confirmation of identified values and threats Their knowledge and support in monitoring is valued We need them to confirm the values of and threats to Western Port Ramsar Site. Expectation: it is a statutory process; there are clear responsibilities for government agencies; There is a Plan and it is being updated The purpose of the Plan is to assign clear responsibilities for agencies. Implementation is ongoing by agencies Values are being maintained/protected/restored Technical experts Consultant Involve To ensure the values threats and priorities are based on the best available information Scientific literature and one-on-one consultation on specific topics Ensure evidence based approach is adopted for the renewal of the plan Robust transparent process Technical knowledge is valued and attributed. Community Consultant / DELWP Consult Increased understanding of role of Ramsar Plan Increased appreciation of value of Site Website – regular updates on the plan Public comment period: forums and meetings Maintain confidence in management of the Site Increase knowledge Keep updated with project progress Provide feedback on how input influenced decision There is a Plan The plan is being updated Implementation is ongoing by agencies Values are being maintained/protected/restored
Commercial development (ports, marinas, dredging) Increased sediments Impacts to seagrass affect waterbird feeding Unlikely Negligible Negligible Many of the waterbirds in Western Port feed in a variety of habitats both inside and outside the Ramsar Site. However, obligate intertidal feeding species such as Black Swan and Chestnut Teal could be affected (Dann 2011). Waterbirds are highly mobile and could move to nearby environments such as Port Philip Bay or Corner Inlet. 2 Commercial development (ports, marinas, dredging) Increased sediments Impacts to fish and reduced visibility adversely affects feeding seabirds (including threatened species) Unlikely Negligible Negligible Increased sediment in the water column may reduce the foraging efficiencies of sight-feeding seabirds. (Dann 2011). 2 Commercial development (ports, marinas, dredging) Increased sediments Impacts to primary productivity reduce food availability for shorebirds Unlikely Negligible Negligible Suspended sediments can reduce primary productivity, and consequently secondary productivity, and may also reduce secondary productivity directly by reducing the efficiency of filter-feeding mudflat biota (Dann 2011). 2 Commercial development (ports, marinas, dredging) Increased sediments Increased TSS adversely affects visual amenity (aesthetic enjoyment) Unlikely Negligible Negligible While turbid water is less visually appealing than clear water, there is no evidence of change since the time of listing. 2 Commercial development (ports, marinas, dredging) Increased sediments Increased TSS adversely affects primary contact recreation Rare Negligible Negligible While turbid water is less visually appealing than clear water, there is no evidence of change since the time of listing. 1 Commercial development (ports, marinas, dredging) Increased sediments Increased TSS adversely affects secondary contact recreation Rare Negligible Negligible While turbid water is less visually appealing than clear water, there is no evidence of change since the time of listing. 1 Commercial development (ports, marinas, dredging) Increased sediments Impacts to fish adversely affect recreational fishing Unlikely Negligible Negligible Derived from risks to fish 2
Urban development and recreation Litter (including microplastics) Direct impacts to sea and shorebirds Almost certain Minor Medium Entanglement is a problem for some birds in Western Port and several species, notably Pacific and Silver Gulls, Crested Terns, Little Pied Cormorants and Pelicans, are not infrequently found in the Western Port area entangled in fishing line or with fishhooks or jigs attached and either dead or incapacitated (Dann 2011). Seabirds and shorebirds are also susceptible to ingestion of micro-plastics with effects on nutrition and toxicity reported (Sutherland et al. 2012). 10 Urban development and recreation Litter (including microplastics) Adversely affects visual amenity (aesthetic enjoyment) Almost certain Minor Medium Litter on beaches and near shore areas may impact on visual amenity in localized areas, particularly around drains and popular beaches. 10 Urban development and recreation Litter (including microplastics) Adversely affects primary contact recreation Unlikely Minor Low Litter on beaches and near shore areas may impact on primary contact recreation in localised areas 4 Urban development and recreation Litter (including microplastics) Adversely affects secondary contact recreation Unlikely Minor Low Litter on beaches and near shore areas may impact on secondary contact recreation in localised areas 4 Urban development and recreation Litter (including microplastics) Impacts to fish and invertebrates adversely affects recreational fishing Unlikely Moderate Low Derived from risks to fish 6 Disturbance of Coastal Acid Sulphate Soils (CASS) Metals liberated as a result of oxidation of CASS and acidity Areas of CASS have been mapped around Western Port. If disturbed by prolonged drying of wetland areas or physical disturbance of the soil surface, then sulphuric acid is formed and can liberate metals from the sediments. The risk from altered pH is likely to be negligible given the buffering potential of seawater. However, the release of heavy metals may be a risk, albeit localised and of low likelihood due to current strategies and policies in place to minimise disturbance of CASS (Department of Sustainability and Environment 2009). Risks were assigned as being less likely and less severe than catchment derived toxicants Disturbance CASS Metals liberated as a result of oxidation of CASS and acidity Adversely affects seagrass #N/A Risk to seagrass from toxicants will be predominantly via the effects of herbicides. Possibly not a plausible impact pathway. 0
Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Extreme events (storms and high rainfall events) are predicted (with high confidence) to increase in frequency(Grose et al. 2015). Erosion of shorelines in Western Port is currently occurring, particularly in the Eastern Arm near Lang Lang, due to the combined actions of waves and tidal cycles. A recent study concluded "There was no evidence from monitoring sites that storm events caused significantly greater erosion, however determining these thresholds and wave impacts is an important precursor for the design of effective erosion control structures." (Tomkins et al. 2014). However development close to shorelines decreases potential for inland migration if shores erode. Western Port Local Coastal Hazard Assessment indicates widespread and significant impacts by 2100 (Arrowsmith and Womersley 2014). Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects seagrass Almost certain Major Extreme Seagrass in intertidal zones is most vulnerable, with a very large proportion of the seagrass in Western Port in intertidal and shallow waters. 20 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects intertidal and subtidal flats Almost certain Major Extreme Similarly, intertidal flats are exposed to wave action and increased storms will result in physical damage and follow on effects to benthic invertebrates. 20 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects intertidal and subtidal reefs Possible Moderate Medium Exposed shallow sub-tidal reefs may be physically damaged by storm surges, but are less vulnerable than intertidal habitats. 9 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects saltmarsh Likely Major High Destruction of coastal dunes systems due to wave action, higher tides and resulting loss of natural barriers adversely impact on saltmarsh. 16
Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects mangroves Likely Major High Destruction of coastal dunes systems due to wave action, higher tides and resulting loss of natural barriers adversely impact on mangroves. 16 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects fish abundance and diversity Possible Moderate Medium Based on assessment of seagrass, noting that not all fish species are reliant on seagrass habitat. 9 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects waterbirds Likely Major High Due to erosion of intertidal mudflat habitats and supratidal habitat needed for roosting and nesting. 16 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects visual amenity (aesthetic enjoyment) Unlikely Minor Low Storm damage on shorelines may affect visual amenity in localised areas for periods post storm. 4 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects primary contact recreation Unlikely Minor Low Based on localised affects to beaches. 4 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects secondary contact recreation Unlikely Minor Low Based on localised affects to beaches. 4
Management Objective 1: Increase the scientific understanding of wetland ecosystems and their management requirements Site Management Strategy Lead agency Priority Example actions / programs implemented 1.1 Prioritise and coordinate environmental research by accredited research and education organisations (including community groups) in Western Port and encourage research in areas of direct relevance to management issues. EPA, MW, DSE, PV, PINP Higher Melbourne Water: Understanding the Western Port Environment: a summary of current knowledge and priorities for future research (Melbourne Water Corporation 2011). PV: Research Partners Panel Projects 1.2 Investigate the causes of accelerated coastal erosion and the effect of water movement on habitat throughout the Ramsar site. DSE, CCB, PV, PINP Medium Melbourne Water: Quantification of coastal erosion rates in Western Port (Tomkins et al. 2014) Management Objective 2: Maintain or seek to restore appropriate water regimes Site Management Strategy Lead agency Priority Example actions / programs implemented 2.1 Ensure future coastal development has minimal impact on coastal hydrodynamic characteristics and associated features and habitats. DSE, Councils, VCC Higher 2.2 Support strategies in the Draft SEPP (Waters of Victoria) and draft Catchment Action Program relating to runoff generation and river flows. PPWCMA, MW, EPA Medium MW: Healthy Waterways EPA and MW: Better Bays and Waterways PPWCMA: Regional catchment strategy, Ramsar Protection Program Management Objective 3: Address adverse processes and activities Site Management Strategy Lead agency Priority Example actions / programs implemented 3.1 Support strategies and initiatives in the Draft SEPP (Waters of Victoria) and Draft Catchment Action Program to reduce nutrient and sediment loads entering Western PPWCMA, EPA, MW, Higher MW: Healthy Waterways EPA and MW: Better Bays and
Management strategies Management Strategies Responsibility Linkages to existing programs / activities Relevant RCTs Relevant knowledge gaps Relevant threats Priority locations Theme 1.1 Reduce nutrient and sediment inflow: Support the implementation of riparian, in-stream and catchment works identified in the Healthy Waterways Strategy (Melbourne Water Corporation 2013); revised State Environment Protection Policy Waters of Victoria (when completed); Port Phillip and Western Port Regional Catchment Strategy and local action plans to improve water quality in storm water and river flows to Western Port. Melbourne Water EPA Victoria DELWP CMA Local government Healthy Waterways Strategy PPWP Regional Catchment Strategy SEPP (WoV) Western Port Biosphere Water Stewardship 1, 2 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Lang Lang and Bass catchments Managing water quality 1.2 Develop best practice guidelines for urban and rural run-off and an incentive scheme to facilitate uptake Melbourne Water DELWP Local government Urban Stormwater: Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines. Western Port Biosphere Water Stewardship 1, 2 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Lang Lang and Bass catchments Managing water quality 1.3 Develop appropriate approaches for pollutant reduction and seagrass improvement, and trigger values (objectives) for water quality indicators EPA Victoria Review of the SEPP (WoV) Western Port Biosphere Water Stewardship 1, 2 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Managing water quality 1.4 Investigate the feasibility of and parameters for creating retention wetlands for improving water quality at the downstream end of priority streams entering Western Port. Implement actions that arise from the investigation (create appropriate retention wetlands). CMA DELWP Local government 1, 2 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Lang Lang and Bass catchments Managing water quality 1.5 Investigate the sources, potential impact and mitigation strategies for toxicants entering Western Port through storm water drains and rivers Melbourne Water EPA Victoria Local government Western Port Scientific Investigations funded by Melbourne Water Western Port Biosphere Water Stewardship 1, 2 3 14, 16 Managing water quality 2.1 Implement the recommendations of the Western Port Local Coastal Hazard Assessment. Specifically the: Development of a strategic approach to the management and future adaptation of the existing shoreline protection works; Provision of adaptation space for the landward migration of wetland fringed shorelines DELWP CMA Local government Western Port Local Coastal Hazard Assessment 1, 4, 5, 6 6, 7 Living with climate change
environments as part of its lifecycle (Crook et al. 2006, Schmidt et al. 2011). It is likely that larvae of the Australian grayling drift downstream into the Western Port Ramsar Site, with return upstream migration in spring of juveniles . Maintaining connectivity between the marine environment and the rivers that drain into Western Port is essential for this threatened species. Figure : EWMA of Australian fairy tern at Western Port from 1981 to 2014 (data from Hansen et al. 2011 and Lacey and O’Brien 2015). Straight lines represent the 1% population threshold (15). Limits of Acceptable Change Summary of changes to the Limits of Acceptable Change Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) for the Western Port Ramsar Site were reviewed with site managers and relevant technical experts. LAC fell into one of four categories: No change was made for Wetland bathymetry Geomorphology and sedimentation (no LAC set) Marine invertebrates (no LAC set) and Fish (no LAC set) No additional information is available to set LAC for geomorphology and sedimentation, marine invertebrates and fish. A change was made to the wording of the LAC to wording to make it more easily assessable, but numerical limit remains unchanged for Fauna-waterbirds New information resulted in a refinement or significant change to the LAC Flora – mangrove and Flora – saltmarsh A new LAC was set for critical CPS that formerly did not have a LAC defined Flora – seagrass and Supports threatened species Revised Limits of Acceptable Change The revised LAC are set out in the Table 24. The complete set of LAC for the site are shown in Table 25.
Flora - Saltmarsh 15% change from 31,000 ha The extent of saltmarsh in Kellogg Brown and Root (2010), on which the LAC was based is considered erroneous, as 31,000 ha is greater than the entire mapped area of coastal saltmarsh in Victoria of 19,212 ha (Boon et al. 2011). The most recent mapping of saltmarsh, using the definitions of Boon (2011) indicate that there are 1143 hectares of saltmarsh inside the Ramsar site boundary (noting that there is a large area of saltmarsh adjacent to the site, but outside the site boundary). As natural variability of saltmarsh extent is low and the recovery of saltmarsh from disturbance is known to be slow (Saintilan 2009), the LAC is based on the 2011 extent. The LAC has been set to be consistent with that for other Victorian Ramsar sites supporting saltmarsh – a 25% decline from the time of listing. LAC for condition of saltmarsh is also desirable and Boon et al. (2011) suggested EVC benchmarks for the community. However, there is no benchmark of condition against which change could be assessed. Total saltmarsh extent will not decline below 850 hectares. Medium Waterbirds A drop in mean or maximum values of ≥ 20 per cent over a five-year period for the guilds identified in the ECD. The wording of this LAC, makes it difficult to assess against without considerable effort in determining the numbers of waterbirds and the groups in questions. The LAC has been to make future assessments easier. The site is important (particularly around French Island) for nesting fairy tern and oystercatchers. There is no long term quantitative data available for most beach nesting birds. Data on fairy tern nests indicate highly variable numbers, and gaps of up to five years when terns do not nest (Lacey and O’Brien 2015). Insufficient data to set a quantitative LAC. Abundance of waterbirds will not decline below the following (calculated as a rolling five year average of maximum annual count): Total waterbirds – 12 000 Migratory waders – 5300 Australasian waders - 800 Ducks - 500 Fishers - 550 Gulls - 1600 Large wading birds - 980 Swans – 1600 Breeding of beach nesting birds annually within the site Medium Low
Waterbirds Abundance of waterbirds will not decline below the following (calculated as a rolling five-year average of maximum annual count): Total waterbirds – 12 000 Migratory waders – 5300 Australasian waders - 800 Ducks - 500 Fishers - 550 Gulls - 1600 Large wading birds - 980 Swans – 1600 Breeding of beach nesting birds annually within the site Average maximum count of each group of waterbirds from 2011 – 2015 was as follows (data from BirdLife Australia and Richard Loyn): Total waterbirds – 20,100 Migratory waders - 8500 Australian waders - 2500 Fishers - 810. Ducks - 2100 Gulls - 2300 Large wading birds - 1200 Swans -2600 Breeding of beach nesting birds has been recorded annually (Driessen and Maguire 2014) LAC is met. Supports threatened species – birds Abundance of eastern curlew, curlew sandpiper and fairy tern will not decline below 1% of the population as stated in the most recent Wetlands International Population estimate (based on a five-year rolling average of annual maximum counts). Presence of bar-tailed godwit, lesser sand plover and red knot in at least three out of every five years. Data from 2011 – 2015 indicate that the average abundance of the three species were as follows: Eastern curlew – 438 (1% of population) Curlew sandpiper – 622 (0.5% of population) Fairy tern – 22 (1.5% of population) Data from 2011 – 2015 indicate presence of the three species: Bar-tailed godwit – all five years Lesser sand plover – three years Red knot - three years LAC is exceeded for curlew sandpiper, but met for all other species. Supports threatened species - fish Australian grayling continues to be supported in one or more of the catchments draining into Western Port. Data from the Bunyip River (2008 – 2010) indicates that the Australian grayling are present, spawning and migrating through this system (Koster and Dawson 2010). LAC is met.