Margaret River Estuary

Basin : Busselton Coast

Catchment : Margaret River

The condition of the Margaret River Estuary site (site code: MR1ESTU1/6100277), was assessed between 10-11 February 2016.

The assessment was conducted using standard methods from the South West Index of River Condition. Measures chosen for this assessment included fish and crayfish, aquatic habitat, water quality (dissolved oxygen, temperature, electrical conductivity, and pH logged over 24h, and colour, alkalinity, turbidity and nutrients), fringing vegetation, channel morphology, erosion, connectivity, local land use and flow.

Condition summary

Please contact the River Science Branch for site information.

Fish and crayfish

Five fish species were found at this site in 2016:

  • Acanthopagrus butcheri (Southern black bream)
  • Leptatherina wallacei (Western hardyhead)
  • Mugil cephalus (Sea mullet)
  • Pseudogobius olorum (Swan river goby)
  • Gambusia holbrooki (Eastern gambusia) – non-native

Only fish and crayfish are targeted by sampling methods. Other species that were caught and/or observed are listed below:

  • Chelodina oblonga (South-western snake-necked turtle)
  • Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali), native, semi-aquatic mammal
  • Palaemon australis (South-west glass shrimp)

 Click on the images below to learn more.

Species found in subcatchment

This includes all species found within the subcatchment of the assessment site, from this and previous studies in the area. The photos are linked to more information about each species, including maps of where they are expected across the south-west.

Other aquatic fauna

One Water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) and eight Western long-necked turtles (Chelodina colliei) were found at this site.

Explore other sites in the catchment