MORE than 100 mangrove trees have been poisoned, cut down and lopped on Russell Island, prompting the state government to threaten major fines.
Southern Moreton Bay Island Coastcare group secretary Jettie Berkhout said it was time for Redland City Council and the Fisheries Department to crack down on offenders.
She said officers had investigated the site off Wiles Street and council had been notified on October 4 but two weeks on no action had been taken.
"We thought it was really important for the council to move quickly on this,'' Ms Berkhout said.
It was unclear why such a large area had been cleared, possibly to make access for a boat or to obtain sea views.
MP Matt McEachan called on locals to report perpetrators given the importance of mangroves to the ecosystem.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol acting district manager Mathew Davidson said the matter was under investigation and warned that perpetrators faced fines ranging to $365,700.
"The clearing of land to gain or improve water views and property values continues to be an ongoing enforcement issue for QBFP Redlands,'' Mr Davidson said.
It follows the destruction of mangroves at Wellington Point just weeks ago.
Ms Berkhout said clearing occurred occasionally on the islands, although usually not at such a scale.
An area of 960 sq m had been trashed, with full grown trees poisoned and saplings cut down from the high to low tide marks.
People had to be educated about the value of mangroves and the role they played as a fisheries nursery, in protecting the coastline and cleaning water.
Signs should be put up as the council had done on Coochiemudlo Island, warning people that it was illegal to touch mangroves.
"We as a group would really like to highlight this issue, to not only stop further damage at this particular site, but also to inform the public that mangroves are protected and that protection depends on community awareness,'' Ms Berkhout said.
Cr Mark Edwards said he was not sure that signs worked.
"I expect it's someone wanting more of a view,'' Cr Edwards said. "The state government has been informed so they would be going through their satellite mapping to see when it was done.''
Cr Edwards said illegal clearing was not common. "There aren't too many people around who don't know about how big the fines are,'' he said.
Mr McEachan said mangroves were particularly important as a fish nursery.
“I would encourage locals to report any illegal activity concerning the destruction of mangroves to 13 25 23,” Mr McEachan said.
Mr Davidson said all marine plants, including mangroves, seagrass and saltmarsh species were protected on private, leasehold and public land, regardless of whether they were dead or alive.
They provided shelter, food and nursery areas to about 75 per cent of fish species in Queensland.
