Scott, A., Reason, C.L., McKenna, S., Smith, T., and Rasheed, M. (2026) Seagrass habitat of Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet: Annual monitoring report 2025. Report. TropWATER, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

Seagrasses have been monitored annually in Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet since 2001. Each year six seagrass monitoring meadows representing the range of different seagrass community types found in Cairns are mapped and assessed for changes in area, biomass, and species composition. These metrics are then used to develop a seagrass condition index from very poor to very good (Figure 1). All seagrasses within the port limits are also remapped every three years as part of the long-term monitoring program.

In 2025 the Cairns Harbour and Inlet seagrass meadows were in an overall poor condition, declining from satisfactory for the Harbour and maintaining condition for the Inlet. Total biomass and area in the monitoring meadows were both below baseline levels (Figure 2).

Item ID:	60667
Item Type:	Report (Report)
Keywords:	Seagrass, Monitoring
Copyright Information:	© James Cook University, 2026.
Funders:	Ports North (PN)
Date Deposited:	27 Aug 2026 00:42
FoR Codes:	41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410404 Environmental management @ 50% 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 50%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1802 Coastal and estuarine systems and management > 180201 Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems @ 100%
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