Environmental Research in Macquarie Harbour - FRDC 2016/067: Understanding oxygen dynamics and the importance for benthic recovery in Macquarie Harbour

This report provides an update on the status of dissolved oxygen and benthic conditions in Macquarie Harbour. It follows on from the results reported in the IMAS reports released in January and May 2017 which described the deterioration of benthic and water column conditions in Macquarie Harbour in spring 2016 and subsequent observations in early 2017, respectively. This report presents the results and preliminary interpretation of dissolved oxygen (DO) monitoring data up until the end of August 2017, a repeat survey of benthic communities in May/June 2017 and findings from CSIRO’s oxygen tracer modelling. This work is part of the research project (FRDC Project 2016-067: Understanding oxygen dynamics and the importance for benthic recovery in Macquarie Harbour to address these needs) funded by the Fisheries Research Development Corporation with the support of both industry and government (EPA and DPIPWE).