State & Territory Coastcare Award

Roebuck Bay Working Group has won the 2019  State & Territory Virgin Coastcare Award

The award focused on the collaborative Keep Our Bay Clean campaign (2005-19) to reduce anthropogenic nutrient sources contributing to Lyngbya majuscula blooms which threaten Roebucks Bay’s biodiversity, indigenous heritage and economic values. The entry is now a contender for a 2020 National Coastcare Award.

Some of the awesome members of the Roebuck Bay Working Group, with Kandy Curran and Dr Alexander Watson (Chairperson) in the foreground.

Thanks to the RBWG Management Committee members who supported the Keep Our Bay Clean projects and grants and Yawuru Rangers who have been involved in all Keep Our Bay Clean projects, along with staff at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Moreover, the Shire of Broome for their collaboration on the McMahon Reserve project to plant the riparian zone of an upper catchment drain with a bush tucker trail.

Special thanks to Grant Pearson who coordinated the first Lyngbya Forum and got Dr Sora Estrella on board to undertake post doctorate studies on the effects of nutrient enrichment on toxic blooms of Lyngbya and benthic invertebrates and migratory shorebirds of the Roebuck Bay Ramsar site. Hydrogeologist Dr Ryan Vogwill,  who helped run the Lyngbya forums and supervise four post graduate studies on groundwater and surface water nutrient inputs to Roebuck Bay.

School children planted hundreds of native plants along the McMahon walkway and stormwater drain with help from Yawuru Ranger Curtis Robinson. Kandy Curran

These independent peer reviewed studies were critical drawing attention to RBWG concerns regarding; nutrient seepage into groundwater from the unlined ponds at Broome South Waste Water Treatment Plant, adjacent golf course irrigated with treated wastewater; and the aging network of stormwater drains discharging into Roebuck Bay.

Finally, thanks to the Shire of Broome who paid for the travel for Kandy Curran to attend the awards.