The health of the seagrass meadows in Port Curtis have been measured under PCIMP since 2007. Seagrass meadows are important nursery habitats for many commercially fishery species, including prawns and fish, and are an invaluable food source for dugongs and turtles. The importance of the seagrasses for these animals within Port Curtis has been recognized through the establishment of the Rodds Bay Dugong Protection Area. Seagrass are highly impacted by water quality, and thus an important ecosystem to monitor throughout Port Curtis.

The Seagrass Health assessments are undertaken jointly by PCIMP and the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries Marine Ecology Group. The DPI & F undertake annual monitoring of seagrass meadows throughout Port Curtis and Rodds Bay, using aerial surveys from helicopter, and divers. Helicopters surveys include the assessment of species composition, cover and biomass, while diving surveys are used to confirm these results.

The PCIMP monitoring is undertaken continually throughout the year on three specific seagrass meadows. This monitoring involves the examination of water quality parameters which are known to impact largely on seagrass ecosystems. Ambient light availability, turbidity (or the amount of suspended solids within the water column) and temperature are continually recorded using deployed nepholometers and temperature loggers. These parameters may assist in elucidating the species diversity and coverage patterns which are recorded by the helicopter surveys.

The Seagrass Health program will continue to be undertaken throughout Port Curtis, and results included in the Ecosystem Health Report Card. The results of this program will enable knowledge to be gained about the life history and ecological aspects of Port Curtis seagrass meadows, and thus assist Port Curtis stakeholders to manage these ecosystems in a sustainable way.