Seagrass
Seagrass in Tin Can Inlet
Seven species of seagrass have been recorded from the Great Sandy Strait:
Cymodocea serrulata (Serrated Ribbon Seagrass)
Halodule uninervis (Needle Seagrass)
Halophila ovalis (Spoon Seagrass)
Halophila spinulosa (Fern Seagrass)
Halophila decipien (Hairy Spoon Seagrass or Paddle Grass)
Syringodium isoetifolium (Noodle seagrass)
Zostera capricorni (Ribbonweed or Eelgrass)
Primary species present in meadows sampled through previous studies were Zostera capricorni and Halophila spp
Seagrass meadows in Tin Can Inlet
Photo courtesy of Rainbow Beach Helicopters
Seagrass and dugongs
Adult dugongs feed predominantly on seagrass and can eat 30 kg of seagrass per day.
Dugong cow and calf. Source
Seagrass and turtles
"The reduction of seagrass (over 80 per cent decline in some locations) has contributed to turtles becoming sluggish and having reduced breath-holding capacity, which means turtles are spending more time at the surface and travelling further distances in search of food, increasing the likelihood of boat strikes. "