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                  Sound receives fair report card

                  Cockburn Gazette Community, Page: 15
                  Tuesday, 18 November 2008
                  Ref: 43887695



            COCKBURN Sound Management Council ’s (CSMC) monitoring report cards 
            for the Sound have revealed only one area received a red alert.

            The report said environmental quality standards were exceeded and 
            action was required at the Jervoise Bay Northern Harbour.

            The pollution was similar to last year a phytoplankton biomass built 
            up because of poor flushing in the harbour, chlorophyll A ’ 
            concentration also exceeded environmental quality guidelines in the 
            harbour.

            The harbour also received a "yellow warning" for TBT median 
            concentration which will require investigation and, where necessary, 
            precautionary action to be taken.

            A further five indicators exceeded quality guidelines for light 
            attenuation, chlorophyll, tributyltin (TBT) concentrations in 
            sediment and potentially toxic algae around Cockburn Sound and high 
            bacteria levels at some Rockingham beaches.

            Rockingham Beach bacteria levels continue to improve thanks to 
            Rockingham City Council ’s drainage improvement program. CSMC chair 
            Professor Kateryna Longley said there were also some pleasing 
            improvements with key environmental quality indicators complying 
            with stringent guidelines and indicating a "basically" healthy 
            system.

            She said key indicators of a healthy ecosystem, such as the extent 
            and growth of seagrass, dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and 
            pH met all site monitored guidelines this year, which was a good 
            sign.

            "The environment of the Sound is a picture of slow change," she 
said.

            "It faces a number of serious threats from large scale developments 
            (proposed harbours) pollution from urban drainage, unknown 
            contributions from polluted groundwater and boating and fishing 
            pressures.

            "Research programs coordinated by the CSMC play a key role in 
            addressing these challenges." Professor Longley said CSMC required 
            an adequate budget to do more pro-active and effective reporting so 
            that the CSMC could use the framework to be able to do cumulative 
            impacts and planning.