1.2 Wetlands and estuaries Context Wetlands are the interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They are intrinsically different from terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, but are highly dependent on and influenced by both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Wetlands are areas either temporarily or permanently covered by water, including swamps and saltmarshes. Some of the most important wetlands in Victoria are on the coast. This includes the five Ramsar sites - wetlands of international importance - and another 18 wetlands of national importance. Two UNESCO biosphere reserves also recognise the exceptional natural values of sections of the Victorian coast, the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port, and Croajingalong Biospheres. Wetlands are sediment traps and filter nutrients from catchments, protecting rivers and marine areas from many potentially threatening processes. They protect our shores from wave action, and reduce the impacts of floods. Mangroves and saltmarsh – Andersons Inlet P. Wierzbowski Estuaries connect rivers to the sea. In estuaries, salt water from the open sea mixes with freshwater draining from the land, creating unique and important ecosystems. Estuaries are important breeding and nursery grounds for aquatic fauna. They contain highly productive fisheries and are therefore crucial to fishing industries. There are 83 estuaries along the Victorian coast, including brackish rivers and streams, inlets, small bays and coastal barrier lagoons. Victoria's coastal wetlands and estuaries are noted for their habitat diversity and high biological productivity. They support abundant wildlife, such as resident and migrant shorebirds, waterbirds, and fish, and unique wetland vegetation communities, such as saltmarsh, mangroves and reed beds. In Victoria wetlands and estuaries are often surrounded by coastal settlements which expose them to intensive levels of recreation and use, illegal estuary mouth openings, changes in river flow regimes, run-off of catchment nutrients, possible pollution events such as oil spills, invasion by weeds or pests, and salinisation. Wetlands and estuaries on private land are potentially exposed to further agricultural and development threats. Wetlands and estuaries are also particularly susceptible to climate change impacts, such as inundation from rising sea levels and storm surges, lower rainfall, increased temperatures and increased storm events. Policy 1. Increase our understanding of onshore environments through research and monitoring programs to determine the impacts on wetlands and estuaries. 2. Protect and improve the ecological integrity of Ramsar sites, coastal wetlands and estuaries. 3. Ensure that rivers are ecologically healthy and replenish productive estuaries through the provision of adequate environmental flows. 4. Manage artificial estuary mouth openings in accordance with the Estuary Entrance Management Support System. Actions a) Develop and implement an integrated river, wetland and estuary strategy, based on asset priorities and integrate the recommendations into relevant planning and management strategies (DSE, CMA, PV, DPI, CoM, VCC).

10 December 2008