Half of coastal aquaculture sites in Queensland are in close proximity to shorebird habitats

Aquaculture is now the primary source of seafood globally. Terrestrial coastal aquaculture is often located near sensitive habitats such as tidal flats and wetlands, which are crucial for many species including migratory shorebirds. However, the overlap between shorebird habitat and aquaculture ponds is often poorly mapped, hampering effective management. Here we assess the potential interaction between shorebirds and terrestrial coastal aquaculture (present and future) in Queensland, Australia. Queensland has a growing aquaculture industry, focusing on high-value coastal species such as tiger prawns. We found high potential for interaction between active aquaculture sites and shorebirds, with 14.5% of active sites directly overlapping Shorebird Areas (mapped shorebird habitat) and 50% within 5 km. Active aquaculture sites near Pumicestone Passage and Burnett River Estuary Shorebird Areas require special management consideration due to the high counts of shorebirds at these sites (many at internationally and nationally significant levels) and their close proximity to active aquaculture sites. In addition, we found that a satellite tracked critically endangered Far Eastern Curlew likely visited an active aquaculture site, underscoring the need for further on-the-ground assessment and effective management. Nearly all (7 of 8) aquaculture development areas identified for future aquaculture expansion overlapped or were within 5 km of a Shorebird Area, along with 15% of inactive sites (approved sites without ponds), signifying the need to plan and manage development of future aquaculture sites carefully. In light of these results, we urge policy makers and industry leaders to ensure that current and future aquaculture production in Queensland co-exists sustainably and aligns with biodiversity conservation and shorebird protection agreements.