Samphire Coast

At least 52 shorebird species, including 37 migratory ones, have been recorded in the Samphire Coast area. Many of these species migrate from our coast through south-east Asia, China, Korea and Japan to the northern hemisphere to breed in the arctic summers in Mongolia and Siberia. This range of flight paths and stopovers is called the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Some of these species occur in internationally significant numbers, others are vagrant species, rarely seen.

The project focuses on shorebirds, threatened remnant samphires, saltmarshes and mangroves which are significant at regional and state levels. It includes major on-ground works to restore habitats and manage the threats at key sites; and coordinates strategic efforts across agency, local government and community and industry partners, for long term species conservation and habitat protection, including planning for future habitat retreat.

Globally, temperate coastal saltmarshes are recognised as a significant carbon sink, with the highest estimated long term carbon accumulation rates of any ecosystem type ( 210 g C /m²/year).

The Samphire Coast is part of the EPBC-listed subtropical and temperate coastal saltmarsh threatened ecological community and contains the largest area of critical habitat for the nationally vulnerable Bead Samphire (Tecticornia flabelliformis). It also supports many regionally significant species, including coastal-dependent reptiles and rare butterflies.