Ralphs Bay :: Local Fauna

Wading birds are particularly abundant along the tidal flats of Ralphs Bay. These include permanent residents such as pied oystercatchers, red-capped plovers, and sandpipers that feed along the shoreline and inter-tidal flats. In addition to resident species, there are also a number of trans-equatorial migratory waders that visit the Derwent’s foreshore and are protected by international treaties. Sea birds also include both resident species (gulls, etc.) and several important migratory species such as the mutton-bird and Caspian tern (Sterna caspia) that breed locally. (State of the Derwent Report, 2003)

The spotted handfish is endemic to the Derwent estuary and is found only on shallow, soft sediments of the lower Derwent estuary and adjoining bays and channels, such as Ralphs Bay. This fish was considered abundant until around twenty years ago, but is now considered endangered under both state and national legislation.

Other threatened species issues in the area include two species of moths, the Chevron Looper and the Saltmarsh Looper, which are both listed as vulnerable under the Tasmanian TSPA. Two important plant species are also found, the Golden Dodder and the Sea Lavender, both of which are listed as rare.

Development Risks to the Environment - RPDC considerations

Should a proposal for development be accepted in principle (see Recent Developments), the Resource Planning and Development Commission (RPDC) will be challenged with the task of balancing the perceived economic benefits to the State against the significant potential risks to the environment.

Many species of migratory birds that regularly use the area are listed on the Japan Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (JAMBA) and China Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (CAMBA) and may provide a Commonwealth trigger for the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. A number of these birds are yet to be fully studied and include other important resident species as well migrants from New Zealand which winter in this environment. Hooded plovers are likely to occur on the ocean beach and they are also listed as vulnerable.

Furthermore, the wetland area in Ralphs Bay (East Marsh Lagoon) is listed as a vulnerable community under the newly agreed Commonwealth-State policy on non forest vegetation and the saltmarsh is listed as having a critical ecological function.

As the local underlying clay layers appear not to settle out readily in laboratory tests when dispersed, mechanical disturbance of the sediments may threaten the survival of the highly sensitive spotted handfish which is listed by both the State and the Commonwealth as critically endangered.

The additional effects of sedimentary mobilisation are uncertain (preliminary work has only sampled the shore to a depth of one foot) and the degree of mineral and acid effusion into the Derwent River is unlikely to be known until any excavation has been undertaken, which could have serious implications for all marine life.

All of these issues have already been brought to the State Government's attention by their own Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment.

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