Derwent Estuary program
After the colonisation of Tasmania in 1803, the British established themselves on the Derwent Estuary, with the first official ferry crossing in 1814.
Colonisation had significant impacts on the Derwent Estuary, particularly through whaling and industrial pollution.
In 1856 the last whale to be seen in the estuary was harpooned. It would be a hundred years before whales came back to the River Derwent.
The early 1900s saw industrialisation grow along the riverbanks, with the establishment of an electrolytic zinc smelter and later a paper mill.
Heavy metals entered the Derwent estuary due to industrial practices, before modern environmental standards were established.
Sadly, environmental contamination levels in the Derwent have been recorded as amongst the highest in Australia. However, whilst this pollution remains high, recent monitoring has revealed a gradual reduction and improvement.
The Derwent Estuary Program, starting in 1999, was a partnership between state and local government and is focused on the restoration and promotion of the Derwent Estuary and its unique habitats and species that reside there.
It is designed to mitigate further losses and work with the community to build the overall health of the estuary, with hopes of recovering what was lost.
There have been four central themes identified to help achieve a restored and promoted Estuary, including:
- Managing human pressures,
- Protecting ecosystems,
- Enhancing human uses,
- Promoting understanding,
- awareness and participation.
The successful outcomes of the Derwent Estuary Program so far have been to manage and reduce pollution and improve the water quality at beaches.
For more information visit:
References:
- Murray. M. 2024. Black Swan. https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/black-swan/.
Derwent Estuary Program. Species of the Derwent. - https://www.derwentestuary.org.au/species/black-swan/. Accessed on 17 Sept. 2024.