Cobblers Beach in Mosman has become the first location in Sydney Harbour to host a site for the restoration of endangered seagrass.
It follows a concerted community effort, led by Mosman Council, to revive the vital marine environment.
In a partnership between Council and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), underwater plots of Posidonia australis seagrass have been planted at Cobblers Beach.
Seagrass fragments, some of which were collected by community members after being washed up after storms, were harvested at the SIMS headquarters in Chowder Bay.
Hundreds of specimens have now been planted off the Cobblers Beach coastline to support marine life, including seahorses.
Council's Environment Coordinator and marine scientist Dr Paloma Matis said restoring Posidonia was key to enhancing the health of Mosman's marine environment.
"This seagrass has largely disappeared from Sydney waterways due to coastal development, pollution and damage from sources such as boat anchors," she said.
"It plays such an important role, providing a vital habitat to fish and other marine creatures."
"It is also important for climate change mitigation and resilience through carbon sequestration and shoreline stabilisation"
Dr Matis said the community played an important role in the early stages of the project and would continue to do so.
"We had residents, schools and other community organisations get behind this project in its early stages, helping collect samples, creating educational art displays and taking an interest in the marine environment that is so highly valued here in Mosman," she said.
"Now that Mosman is home to the first seagrass restoration site in Sydney Harbour, we look forward to the community's continued support through general awareness and taking care in the area, particularly for boat users."
The restoration aims to give nature a helping hand by restoring lost seagrass one patch at a time.
Results will be monitored, with potential for the project to expand to other harbour locations.
