Gazette

The story of seagrass

24th June 2009 02:00:35 AM

Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson, Western Port Seagrass Partnership chairman John Swan, comedian John Clarke and City of Casey mayor Geoff Ablett at the DVD and website launch. 32178

COMEDIAN and media personality John Clarke has produced a DVD which showcases the environmental significance of the Western Port area.

Clarke was on hand at the Cardinia Cultural Centre last week to help launch the DVD and a website which outline the area’s diversity.

The DVD tells the story of how Western Port developed as a ‘sunk land’ thousands of years ago and outlines its national and global significance.

Cardinia Shire Council and the City of Casey jointly hosted the launch of these important new resources, which are the product of the Western Port Seagrass Partnership.

Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson praised Clarke’s production.

“John Clarke is a much-loved and respected character as well as a passionate environmentalist with a love of Western Port,” he said.

“We were delighted to be able to host this special event in partnership with the City of Casey.

“Both councils have a commitment to the protection of Western Port as we manage population growth in our local areas.”

Casey mayor Geoff Ablett said the Western Port Seagrass Partnership was a voluntary environmental organisation dedicated to protecting and restoring the ecology of Western Port through education, research and practical actions.

He said Casey and Cardinia councils were working with other levels of government, industry, educational institutions and the community to preserve and maintain the Western Port Area.

Western Port Seagrass Partnership chairman John Swan said the partnership had been engaged over the past 10 years in efforts to understand and restore seagrass meadows and mangrove stands.

“The historic losses of many of the seagrass meadows have revealed severe ongoing implications,” he said.

“The partnership has learnt a great deal about the techniques used in managing the needs of such marine ecosystems, however much more work and education is still required in future protection and restoration efforts.”