The first Living Seawall in Mosman has been officially opened at Ellery Park, near The Spit.
The project has already begun providing much-needed habitats for marine organisms along the seawall below the Spit Bridge since its installation earlier this year.
“This Living Seawall is playing a vital role in protecting our marine ecosystem and Council was delighted to support its installation and bring this project to life in Mosman,” Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan said.
“Living Seawalls encourage species to thrive which improves foreshore water quality and so can also indirectly help enhance recreational activities including swimming, fishing and water sports in and around urban waterways so there is a benefit for humans and marine species alike.”
The special modular habitat panels fitted to seawalls increase the surface area for marine life and also provide protective habitats, mimicking features of nature, such as rockpools, crevices and hollows.
The Spit seawall was identified by Mosman Council’s Environment Coordinator Dr Paloma Matis and Living Seawalls as a suitable prominent location and the project was brought to life with $41,000 funding from the Mosman Environmental Foundation.
“These panels enhance habitat structure to support a wide variety of marine species to help the harbour’s biodiversity and ecosystem flourish which is much needed because urban structures, which now make up more than half of Sydney Harbour’s shoreline, have replaced natural habitats,” Dr Matis said.
Living Seawalls in other parts of Sydney Harbour support at least 36 per cent more species, including invertebrates, seaweed and fish, and increase biodiversity more than plain, unmodified seawalls with similar results expected along the nearby Mosman shorelines.
“The Living Seawall at this popular fishing spot is already providing habitat for seaweed and invertebrates, which provide shelter and food for resident and transient fish,” Sydney Institute of Marine Science Living Seawalls Project Manager Dr Aria Lee said.
Visit livingseawalls.com.au
