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Journal article
Ecological resources of a heavily modified and utilised temperate coastal embayment: Cockburn Sound
Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.12, 1563654
2025
Abstract
Coastal environments and their associated biota provide numerous environmental, economic and societal services. Cockburn Sound, a temperate embayment on the lower west coast of Western Australia, is immensely important for the State and adjacent capital city of Perth. However, urbanisation and associated terrestrial and marine development has the potential to threaten this important ecosystem. This study collated published and unpublished data to review the current state of the ecological resources of Cockburn Sound and describe how they have changed over the past century. Post-WWII, the embayment began undergoing pronounced anthropogenic changes that limited oceanic water exchange, increased nutrient load, modified benthic habitats and increased fishing pressure. The most visual outcome of these changes was substantial eutrophication and the loss of 77% of seagrass habitats. However, the increased primary productivity from elevated nutrient inputs produced high commercial fishery yields of up to ~1,700 t in the early 1990s before improved wastewater regulation and restricted fishing access steadily reduced commercial catches to ~300 t in recent years. Despite substantial anthropogenic-induced changes, Cockburn Sound has remained a diverse and ecologically important area. For example, the embayment is a key spawning area for large aggregations of Snapper, is a breeding and feeding site for seventeen marine bird species (including Little Penguins) and, is frequented by numerous protected species such as pinnipeds, dolphins, and White and Grey Nurse sharks. In recent decades, numerous projects have been initiated to restore parts of Cockburn Sound with mixed success, including seagrass transplantation, deployment of artificial reefs and stocking of key fish species, mainly Snapper. Nevertheless, while still biodiverse, there are signs of considerable ecological stress from escalating anthropogenic pressures and the cumulative impacts of ongoing and future developments, including climate change, which may severely impact the functioning of this important ecosystem.
Details
- Title
- Ecological resources of a heavily modified and utilised temperate coastal embayment: Cockburn Sound
- Authors/Creators
- Peter J. Mitchell - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaDaniel E. Yeoh - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaKurt N. Krispyn - Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, AustraliaClaire N. Greenwell - Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, AustraliaSorcha Cronin-O’Reilly - Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, AustraliaDelphine B.H. Chabanne - Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, AustraliaGlenn A. Hyndes - Edith Cowan UniversityDanielle Johnston - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaDavid V. Fairclough - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaClaire Wellington - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaAlan Cottingham - Murdoch UniversityGary Jackson - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaJeffrey V. Norriss - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaMatias Braccini - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaHector Lozano-Montes - Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, AustraliaChandra P. Salgado Kent - Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, AustraliaErin Clitheroe - Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, AustraliaAlissa Tate - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaJames W. Penn - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaMarion Massam - Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, Hillarys, WA, AustraliaNeil R. Loneragan - Murdoch UniversityJames R. Tweedley - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.12, 1563654
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media S.A.
- Number of pages
- 31
- Identifiers
- 991005787956707891
- Copyright
- © 2025 Mitchell et al.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.2 Marine Biology
- 3.2.1182 Coastal Vegetation
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- Marine & Freshwater Biology
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