Protecting the fragile environment of Moreton Bay is important.

 

Protected wetlands and marine habitats

 

In 1993, large areas of Moreton Bay were recognised as wetlands of international significance under the Ramsar Wetland Convention 1971. The Queensland government declared parts of Moreton Bay a Marine Park in 1993. This marine park zoning plan was renewed in 2008. Moreton and St Helena Islands are also protected as National Parks.

 

A refuge for turtles and dugongs

 

The Bay supports large numbers of the nationally threatened green turtle, hawksbill turtle and loggerhead turtle. It is among the top ten habitats in Queensland for the internationally vulnerable dugong. An increasing threat to the safety of Moreton Bay turtles and other marine life is being struck by boats – propeller injury can cause death.

 

A destination for migratory shorebirds

 

Over 40 species of shorebirds use its intertidal habitats including numerous migratory species listed by international migratory bird conservation agreements – the Moreton Bay Ramsar site supports more than 50,000 wintering and staging shorebirds during the non-breeding season. These migratory birds, some smaller than a cricket ball, travel from the Northern Hemisphere, including Siberia, to feed in Moreton Bay. Moreton Bay’s wetlands are classified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area.