The ecology of Botany Bay (Gamay) revealed
Uncovering the science beneath the waters of Gamay (Botany Bay).
A new article published in the journal Marine and Freshwater Research on the ecology of Gamay (the original name for Botany Bay) incorporates research by some of our Marine Estate Management Strategy scientists.
Since European settlement, Gamay (also spelt Kamay) has become a site of industrial and urban development.
The paper titled, “A deep dive into the ecology of Gamay (Botany Bay, Australia): current knowledge and future priorities for this highly modified coastal waterway”, provides the most comprehensive ecological review of Gamay to date.
DPI Fisheries Senior Research Scientist, Dr Nathan Knott, is one of the scientists who co-authored the paper and whose work was incorporated into the review.
He said the review pulls together the vast scientific knowledge published over the last 50 years on Gamay.
“It provides a detailed coverage of the research across the wide spectrum of habitats that occur in the bay from seagrass beds to rocky reefs, and the rich biodiversity that call these habitats home,” he said.
“It’s a fascinating read for anyone with a passion for this amazing environment in the heart of Sydney,” Dr Knott said.
This research review was led by researchers at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science and identifies knowledge gaps and research opportunities to guide the sustainable use of Gamay into the future.
DPI Fisheries contribution to the review was in part funded by the Threats to estuarine fish assemblages project, which looks at the impacts of marine infrastructure, stormwater drains and habitat condition on estuarine fish.
The next stage of this project will be assessing these types of impacts in Gamay in a collaborative research project with the University of Sydney, University of NSW and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science.
To check out the new look project page and keep up to date with our progress here: https://www.marine.nsw.gov.au/projects/threats-to-estuarine-fish-assemblages
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