Hi Crew, I have received this email below.  Could anyone advise who I can get this lady to speak to about getting some weights sent to the states.

Cheers,

Adam

Hello!

I am a graduate student in Oceanography at Louisiana State University and am doing a study on red snapper populations on oil and gas platform legs. We are looking to purchase the release weights featured on your site, but I can't seem to find where to order them. Please let me know if I have navigated the site incorrectly or if there is a phone number I could call to order.

Thanks!

Adam,
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. We are generally looking to purchase four or five of every size you have (assuming you have approximately 20, 40, 80 and 120 oz weights). We generally catch red snapper that average around 8-10 lbs, but catch them at all sizes, and need a variety of weights, as my project is targeting the appropriate size weight to use in this release method. Is there a way to order these off of your website? If not, I can give you a call at any time convenient for you.

Thanks!
Grace

Recreational rock lobster season ends today

The 2009/10 recreational rock lobster season closes at 6 o’clock tonight and fishers are reminded

there will be a change to escape gap sizes, when the new season opens in mid-November.

Department of Fisheries’ Principal Management Officer Graeme Baudains said following a

sustainability initiative, announced by the Minister for Fisheries Norman Moore in October last

year, the minimum legal size for recreational rock lobster pot escape gaps would be increased

from 54 to 55 millimetres from 15 November 2010.

“This will bring the escape gaps in recreational lobster pots in line with those used by the

commercial sector,” Mr Baudains said.

“As with the past season, recreational fishers would have an overall catch target of 290 tonnes of

western rock lobster in 2010/11,” he said.

“The target is established through resource sharing allocations that are assessed under Integrated

Fisheries Management (IFM) principles, which assign 5 per cent of the total allowable catch to

the recreational sector and the balance to the commercial fishers.

“All the scientific evidence indicates the western rock lobster fishery remains under extreme

pressure and in danger of collapse, unless it is properly managed and the overall catch target has

been set to ensure a similar quantity of lobsters to this year can be fished in the coming seasons.

Mr Baudains said anecdotal reports suggested most recreational rock lobster fishers had fared

well with individual catches in the past season and Fisheries and Marine Officers observations

indicated compliance levels were reasonably high.

“The ‘fish for the future’ message has been embraced by the vast majority of the more than

37,000 fishers licensed to participate in the recreational rock lobster fishery during the 2009/10

season,” he said.

“As far as the completion of the season today is concerned, recreational fishers must remove

their pots from the ocean by no later than 6pm.

“If extenuating circumstances arise for individual fishers, such as sickness or bad weather

preventing the collection, they should contact the nearest Department of Fisheries office and

notify a Fisheries and Marine Officer of the time they will be able to remove the pots.

“Lobsters found in pots after 6pm today must be returned to the water.”

More information about fishing for rock lobster in Western Australia are available on the

Department of Fisheries website at

www.fish.wa.gov.au

Why do recs have to take another hit when we take less than 5% of the TAC

This announcement is very disappointing and one that rec cray fishers should make a lot of noise about. We had a bag reduction of 8 down to 6 which was 25% reduction!!!

Why are recs being penalised because of poor prevous management of the commercials by Fisheries.

Will they reduce the licence because we are going to take less animals????

Just wait till we get the rec catch stats, because recs should send a invoice to DoF for the balance of the crays we didnt take. The commercials got all theirs....and most of it in the first 6 weeks of the season so they had to shut it down!!!!

So much for IFM

another example of DoF keeping the commercials happy at the expensive of others

The web crawlers will read this......have some courage and explain yourselves DoF

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) scientists and the prawn industry have bred an improved and award-winning black tiger prawn reaching record yields in aquaculture farms.

These prawns have won five gold medals at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in the past two years, including the top award, ‘Champion of Show.’

Scientists from CSIRO's Food Futures Flagship used DNA technology to guarantee the breeding programme includes the best black tiger prawn stocks and boosts their performance each breeding season.

About half of all prawns sold in Australia are imported from countries such as China and Vietnam, so creating an Australian prawn that breeds in captivity and is completely sustainable majorly benefits the local prawn industry and consumers.

“The average industry productivity for farmed prawns is only five tonnes per ha, so this year's average yield of 17.5 tonnes per ha is a major leap forward,” said Dr Nigel Preston, leader of the CSIRO Food Futures Flagship prawn research project.

Several ponds of CSIRO's industry partners, Gold Coast Marine Aquaculture (GCMA), yielded 20 tonnes per ha and one produced a world record yield of 24.2 tonnes.

Preston said this prawn could revolutionise the local and international prawn farming industry.

"These huge yields can be replicated year after year which means consistent supply of a reliable and high quality product,” he added.

Australia’s production could grow from 5,000 to 12,500 tonnes, adding AUD 120 million (USD 104.8 million) annually to the industry’s value by 2020, if all the Australian black tiger prawn industry adopted the new technology.

"Not only have we achieved national and international yield records with no reduction in quality or taste, these prawns are grown in a specially designed, environmentally sustainable production system,” General Manager of GCMA Nick Moore said. “This production system and the new breeds have produced a perfect prawn with beautifully textured meat, rich colour, robust size and a great taste.”

Australia's population predicted to reach 35 million by 2050, and Director of CSIRO's Food Futures Flagship Dr Bruce Lee said the challenge is thus to help the country secure its own food supply and be competitive in global food markets. This achievement is just the beginning, he said.

“Of particular significance to Australia is that marine aquaculture is a drought-proof industry and there’s huge potential for the environmentally and economically sustainable expansion of pond-based aquaculture farms right around the Australian coastline,” he commented.

Until recently, wild black tiger prawns could not be bred in captivity, so prawn farmers had to catch wild prawn parents each season to stock farm ponds with their progeny.

The project received a AUD 500,000 (USD 436.7 million) Smart State Innovation Projects Fund grant in 2008. This grant enabled CSIRO to expand its work with GCMA to Australian Prawn Farms and Pacific Reef Fisheries.

CSIRO is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world.

By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

June 2010
DAFF10/456B

The Rudd Government continues to make good on its promise to support Australia’s recreational fishing industry with three important initiatives.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said that government legislation to make recreational fishing of Mako and Porbeagle sharks had passed the Senate last night.

“Despite the Opposition’s scare campaign, the government was always committed to see this legislation passed. Last night’s vote in the Senate is proof”, he said.

“Secondly, I am pleased to announce the introduction of quarterly roundtable meetings to improve communications between the Australian Government and recreational fishing.

Sector leaders and the Australian Government will form the Recreational Fishing Roundtable (the roundtable) to discuss emerging issues in the industry.

“The roundtable will provide an effective, high-level forum for leaders in the recreational fishing sector and the Australian Government to discuss and address issues together. The roundtable will meet for the first time in July this year,” he said.

“It will also provide an opportunity to progress the work of the Recreational Fishing Advisory Group which will soon finalise the report Recreational Fishing in Australia – 2010 and Beyond.

“Improving communication between the recreational fishing sector and the Australian Government is an important step in making the industry more sustainable,” Mr Burke said.

“Not only is recreational fishing an important leisure activity for more than 3 million Australians, recreational fishers buy tackle and bait and stay in campgrounds and motels. They play a vital role in supporting regional economies.

“The sector needs to continue to put its best foot forward in order to demonstrate to the community its commitment to sustainability.

“To support this aim, today I announce a further $300,000 to support socio-economic research in the game fishing sector.

“The research will provide better information about the contribution the game fishing sector makes to regional coastal communities and develop methods for game fishers to provide information to underpin the sustainable management of high value game fish species,” Mr Burke said.

There's been some chat up here recently about incorporated fishing clubs and their ability to 'sell' fish. Now if people donate fish to the club, the club can then ask for a donation for the services of cooking (using oil, bbq, staffing) etc. Now I'm not 100% sure if this information is correct, if there's members/presidents of clubs out there, could you please let me know if this is right?

If it is, do you think that its ok?

Gday guys, thought there'd be a few boffins on site or crew with some time and interest who may supply some theories on this?

maybe its crap or maybe it's a coverup!?

OCEAN FLOOR RISING BY 13 FEET PER DAY HERE

Quote

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website [link to www.ndbc.noaa.gov]
Has a Tsunami station in event mode activated for Station 55023 - STB Coral Sea located at 14.803 S 153.585 E (14°48'9" S 153°35'6" E).

The tsunami station has been in event mode since the large quakes occurred in the area for several days now. This is triggered by the buoys’ anomalies of water column height above the sea floor.

If you do a data search for 2010 March 20th to 2010 April 13th you get this-

Over 100 meters or 328 feet less distance from buoy to sea floor in 24 days!

That’s 13 feet per day since the quakes.

As you will see from the waves on the line graph it matches the tide lines perfectly

Coral Sea tide chart - [link to www.tide-forecast.com]

So Station buoy 55023 is still on the surface. Its not the lunar cycles, checked that as well.




There also has been a very odd sea surface temperature in the same location

See link CSIRO web page [link to www.marine.csiro.au]

Note the area in blue on the map on the left then see the unusually cold surface temperatures on the surface in the map on the right.



Seismic activity has also offers an insight as to what may be occurring

[link to aslwww.cr.usgs.gov]

Note the long time periods of S waves on this seismic station is the upward thrust of the ocean floor by 13 feet per day?

Is there anyone out there who can offer some science as to what’s going on in this area?

Thu 13 May, 2010

Fish and fish ecosystems in the Kimberley and South-West will be further protected as a result of Natural Resource Management (NRM) funding.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said three of the 51 NRM grants announced by Agriculture and Food; and Forestry Minister Terry Redman today would contribute about $160,000 to initiatives designed to protect fish and their habitats.

“The single biggest grant, $110,000, will go to the Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research at Murdoch University and help protect one of WA’s endangered fish species - the freshwater sawfish,” Mr Moore said.

“The freshwater sawfish of the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley is already the subject of strong conservation efforts.

“However, this grant will enable tagging work to continue and also help State Government staff (Yiriman Rangers) and the local community to expand the project upstream and to record traditional language stories on sawfish.”

The Minister said the other grants of $34,459 and $18,700 would fund studies of fish species’ diversity and distribution in the Helena River and chart the impact of and continue elimination programs for feral fish in the Serpentine River.

“Improving our knowledge about native fish and ensuring we maximise our efforts to control and eliminate feral fish is extremely important work,” Mr Moore said.

“For example, the Serpentine work will identify the impact of feral fish on native mussel and fish populations and will also develop a plan to prevent cattle access to the river, which can affect the health of the ecosystem by damaging riverbanks.”

Anyone wanting further information about the programs should contact the Department of Fisheries on 9482 7333.

Minister's office - 9422 3000

Wed 12 May, 2010

A new long-range patrol boat will help the State Government manage WA’s fisheries for the future.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore officially launched the Department of Fisheries 20m-long patrol vessel (PV) Houtman in Geraldton today.

He said the new patrol boat would help fisheries staff monitor fish catches as well as perform other important duties.

“Like its predecessor, PV Houtman will operate along the West Coast and the Gascoyne bioregions, while still delivering monitoring and compliance services at the Abrolhos Islands and for the rock lobster industry,” Mr Moore said.

“It will have a busy workload helping to keep WA’s fisheries sustainable. It will also be a valuable asset and help other State Government agencies deal with search and rescue demands, whale entanglements, oil spill responses and other operations.

“The Abrolhos are significant in terms of Mid-West history and economically important as a commercial rock lobster fishing area and as a developing tourist destination.

“The Department of Fisheries manages the Abrolhos Islands as a fish habitat protection area and a boat like the PV Houtman is vital for monitoring and compliance activities there.

The Minister said the new $3.36million craft was designed by a local Port Denison company and its construction in Geraldton had provided a boost to confidence and opportunity for local businesses.

“The PV Houtman was designed by Southerly Designs and built by Western Boat Builders of Geraldton,” he said.

“It is a long range patrol boat, built to cope with the often demanding offshore environment along WA’s coast.

“This versatile, up-to-date vessel will be based in Geraldton, where it replaces the 18-year-old PV McLaughlan, and provide a platform for a range of important tasks.

The boat will also play an integral part in managing significant maritime and archaeological sites at the Abrolhos Islands and delivering compliance services on behalf of the WA Museum and the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

Mr Moore said the PV Houtman was named after Frederik de Houtman, the explorer who discovered the Abrolhos Islands in late 1619.

“The Dutchman is credited with being the second European to sight the West Coast of Australia,” he said.

“De Houtman named the Abrolhos Islands, which in Portuguese means ‘keep your eyes open’ and ‘spiked obtrusion’ as both a warning and description of the reefs that surround them.”

Minister's office - 9422 3000

Tue 11 May, 2010

Commercial rock lobster fishing in Western Australia's A zone fishery around the Abrolhos Islands has been closed in a bid to preserve the fishery for the future.

The move follows last week's announcement of the closure of C zone - which stretches from Augusta to Leeman, south of Geraldton.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said that A zone fishers, like their C zone counterparts, had reached their total allowable catch for the 2009-10 fishing season, due to close on June 30.

“There had been a total allowable catch of 1,045 tonnes for A zone fishers,” the Minister said.

“This limit was reached early this week triggering my decision to close the fishery to ensure the protection of the State's valuable rock lobster stocks.”

The decision to close the season almost two months early was consistent with warnings made at the start of the season.

“I made it clear to industry that the total 5,500 tonne catch allocation for the three fishing zones would be closely monitored and I would close any, or all, of the three individual fishing zones when they reached their allowable catch limits,” Mr Moore said.

“All the scientific evidence provided to me shows that WA's rock lobster fishery is under extreme pressure and in danger of collapse unless it is properly managed.”

The A zone closure will officially take effect from Monday, May 17 - meaning the last day fishers can legally land their catches is Thursday, May 13.

New management arrangements for the State's rock lobster fishery were announced in September 2009.

A core component was an overall catch target of 5,500 tonnes with lower and upper catch limits of 4,950 tonnes and 6,050 tonnes respectively.

To optimise economic benefits and address equity issues, catch targets and limits were set for each zone for the first and second halves of the season.

“These targets and limits were provided to all rock lobster licensees and processors at the start of the season and the Department of Fisheries has published weekly updates of the cumulative catch for each zone,” the Minister said.

“It is expected that B zone fishers, who operate from north of Jurien to North West Cape, will reach their total allowable catch sometime in the next fortnight.

“I will take similar action to close the B zone when it reaches its limit.”

Since moving to Capel (just over one year ago) we have enjoyed fishing, & catching really good bream along with mullet & other estuary fish in the Capel river mouth, & we know members of FW.com who have been very successful with redfin & marron upstream. This winter the second canoe race from just south of the town to the sea & beyond promises to be an even bigger event than the huge inaugeral race last year, yet the local farmer is allowed to let his herd of beef cattle continually wade across the river, crap & piss in it & drag tonnes of earth down into the water in their attempts to climb the steep banks making it ridiculously wide & very shallow as a result. With that and ( I am told ) whey from a local factory being released into the river, it is no wonder the Capel River is running green & polluted!
I have shown my disgust by writing to the CEO of the Capel shire demanding that stock should be prevented from direct access to the river. If you feel the way do please do the same!

Marine parks and sanctuary no fishing zones, WA reports.

"Reported" in the West today on page 13 under the heading "Call for sanctuaries to protect fish stocks", the article says "A ban on fishing in vast areas off the WA coast moved a step closer yesterday after a major State Government report backed marine sanctuaries as a key safeguard against overfishing and protection of marine biodiversity."

For anyone who wants the facts rather than rely on that muddled report, here are some unedited, full extracts of parts from the report(s). Two separate reports were released. One report is by Dept of Fisheries (only). The second has both "Dept of Environment and Conservation" and "Dept of Fisheries" on the cover and is the one "summarised" in the West article. See a later post.

You can expect more selective media stuff on this. There is a LOT of detail in these reports.

One is on http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/frr/frr169/index.php?0401 Fisheries Research Report No. 169, 2010. 48 pages. Title:- The efficacy of sanctuary areas for the management of fish stocks and biodiversity in WA waters.

1.0 Executive summary

There has been an ongoing debate about the relative value of sanctuary areas for the management of fish stocks, and biodiversity more generally. This debate can often be exacerbated by unrecognised differences among stakeholders in the definitions used and the scope and scale of the objectives to be achieved. Conflicts are also likely where there are strong expectations about the relative value of a specific strategy irrespective of the structure of the system to which it could be applied or the levels of management already being employed.

With marine sanctuary areas becoming an increasingly popular management tool, a critical assessment of their relative efficacy in meeting different government and community objectives is urgently required. This may assist in reconciling some of the areas of dispute and will hopefully result in better coordination in management approaches, more effective and efficient protection and broader community acceptance of the outcomes.

In Western Australia, the Department of Fisheries (DoF) is responsible for meeting the objectives of the Fisheries Resources Management Act (FRMA), which includes “to conserve fish and protect their environment”. In this context “fish” is defined as “aquatic organisms of any species except amphibians, mammals, birds, and reptiles”, therefore these FRMA objectives cover the conservation of most of the State’s marine fauna and flora. More specifically the FRMA provides a basis for the management of all ‘fish’ species, including protection of their environment, associated food chains, and ensuring that the harvesting of these resources is undertaken in a sustainable manner throughout all waters off WA.

This paper considers the potential threats to the State’s fish stocks and biodiversity under the current management controls and outlines the range of strategies available to add further protection. The review then assesses the relative benefits and limitations that ‘no take’ or sanctuary areas implemented under either Fisheries or Marine Park legislation, may have in assisting meet the state -wide objectives of the FRMA. It is not designed to be an all-inclusive review of MPA related literature (of which there are already many), nor does it cover the role of sanctuaries in meeting smaller scale objectives, such as those associated with individual marine parks; these are covered within the WA Government’s New Horizons Policy.

The conclusions outlined in this paper have been developed taking into account the following background of management arrangements and related marine research findings in WA.

• The responsibilities and processes of the Department of Fisheries which are designed to provide overall protection for the marine environment and biodiversity for the entire WA coast, including the relevant ‘Commonwealth waters’ (beyond 12 nmiles out to either the 200 m depth contour or the 200 nmile limit).

• The Department operates using an Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) framework that now incorporates an ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) approach. This includes the use of risk assessment processes to manage the impacts on target species, by-catch species, habitats, plus any potential indirect impacts of these removals on the broader ecosystem at both the fishery and bioregional levels.

• The Department’s marine management strategies recognise that there is an increasing level of interest for non-extractive uses of the marine environment at specific locations arising from activities such as eco-tourism, which will require appropriately sized and accessible Fish Habitat Protection Areas (FHPA’s) or sanctuaries within MPAs

• The Department has a long-standing history and significant expertise using spatial management systems (of which complete closures are just one form) for the management of fisheries resources in WA.

• Most WA waters are already protected by some level of closure or controls on fishing methods that can significantly impact directly on marine habitats (for example trawling). These management arrangements have taken into account the findings from significant research on the environmental effects of prawn and scallop trawling and other demersal
fishing methods to ensure that such activities are restricted to benthic habitats where impacts will be minimal or transitory.

In summary this review concludes that:

• Marine habitats, and therefore a large proportion of the biodiversity in WA waters, are highly protected from negative fishery impacts compared to nearly all other locations in the world. Approximately 35% of continental shelf waters already have full habitat protection at levels equivalent to MPAs under IUCN categories IV, V and VI. The effective area of habitat protection generated through direct and indirect controls on trawl fisheries covers about 90% of continental shelf waters.

• There are few fish stocks in WA with reduced spawning biomass levels where general no-take areas would lead to increased recruitment levels of their juveniles. In such circumstances, highly targeted closures (not necessarily to all fishing activities or for the entire year) in conjunction with other broad scale actions have proven to be effective management options.

• Most of the marine species subject to fishing (including those with benthic stages) in WA are highly mobile either as adults, juveniles or both; which greatly reduces the efficacy of small, static, non-targeted spatial controls for their management at a stock level.

• The implementation of sanctuaries alone, will generally not improve the quality of fishing in the areas left open along the WA coast, as the re-direction of effort from a newly established sanctuary area is likely to result in a reduction in local catch rates within the surrounding regions.

• In contrast to agricultural production on land, ongoing commercial and recreational fisheries production within the WA marine environment is totally reliant on the natural ecosystem continuing to function in relatively normal manner.

• The main marine habitats in WA at risk are the estuaries and embayments where land-based, non-fishing activities have resulted in nutrient rich run-off and eutrophication, which has significantly altered ecosystems (e.g. the Peel–Harvey Estuary). In these situations closures would neither rebuild affected fish stocks nor assist with the protection of the broader ecosystem.

Based on these assessments this report supports the concept that clearly defined sanctuary areas (within marine parks or FHPAs) will play a valuable, but restricted part of an overall scheme of management to sustain resources and protect biodiversity in WA waters. This is consistent with another recent review, which concluded that "MPAs must be designed and operated in the context of higher-order management frameworks” (World Bank, 2006)”,

Consequently, there is a rational basis to support the establishment of marine sanctuary areas where they have clear, measurable objectives that relate to achievable benefits for tourism, biodiversity, research and other ‘no-take’ outcomes. There is, however, little scientific basis within the WA context to support their justification where they are proposed as a precaution against undefined ‘bad practices’ in the management of fisheries.

Where a sanctuary zoning is being considered for a specific area, the planning process would be made more efficient by:
• ensuring there are clear, simple and measurable biodiversity, research, ecotourism or fisheries management objectives, which are meaningful to the key stakeholder groups and the general public, and that the area being set aside is of a scale relevant to its purpose;

• ensuring that the site proposed takes into account and complements any existing fisheries or other management arrangements that could assist with protection of biodiversity.

• having a clearly specified and fully costed research and monitoring program directly linked to the biological and socio-economic (tourism) objectives set, with appropriate performance indicators and a transparent reporting system.
• specifying periodic reviews that could include the provision of sunset clauses if any area is found not to be assisting in meeting the agreed objectives.

In regard to the use of sanctuaries or other types of complete no-take areas to meet the objectives of the FRMA, it is our assessment that:

• The static and non species specific nature of sanctuaries as a management tool will preclude their use as an efficient strategy to deal with the stock-level management of the majority of fished stocks in WA, which are typically free ranging and broadly distributed. The high level of overlap in the footprints of these species also conflicts with the complete 'no take' nature of sanctuaries and further limits their effective application for sustainable management of
harvested species in WA waters.

• Sanctuaries (or equivalent FHPs) of appropriate scale will be valuable where their primary purposes relate to the preservation of representative examples of biodiversity; the provision of areas for various no-take uses (ecotourism), and/or as sites for long-term scientific monitoring.

• Declaration of a sanctuary will automatically raise resource use and allocation issues, with direct implications for the right of access (especially in near-shore areas) and possible compensation or litigation issues. This will be a particular issue for sedentary species such as abalone, where any such closures over productive abalone reef habitats directly reduces otherwise sustainable catches and is a clear reallocation from fishing to 'no take' use. It may be less of an issue for highly mobile fish species, except where the proposed sanctuary is to be situated over the only accessible fishing area (i.e. next to the only boat ramp or overlying the only safely fishable reefs within the region)*.

• The effective management of MPAs, which overlay the wider geographic fisheries regulations, will generally raise significant and ongoing compliance and education requirements, which will need to be adequately resourced. Multiple-use MPAs, incorporating significant sanctuary areas, are likely to exacerbate costs, resource use and allocation issues and therefore, should require a comprehensive cost benefit assessment during the design phase.

• A key issue for the evaluation of the efficacy of a sanctuary will be the dynamic nature of marine ecosystems and the ability to distinguish changes caused by human impacts (or management) from natural changes driven by environmental factors outside human control.

• Long-term monitoring programs, including time-series data for harvested fish species (and presumably other components) will be required to assess impacts from the establishment of the sanctuaries and whether they have met the expected objectives. This will require new monitoring programs to be initiated, which will have to collect data at much finer spatial scales than has been previously undertaken for stock-wide assessments. Such programs must be adequately resourced so as not to compromise the current monitoring systems that are needed for stock-wide assessments.

• Thus the development and implementation of any additional sanctuary areas will automatically generate additional costs to Government associated with their declaration, management, monitoring and compliance. All of which would need to be justified related to the projected benefits.

• The establishment of an across-Government-agency process (covering both State and Commonwealth) for broad-scale marine planning, which integrates relevant policy and legislation, would greatly assist in achieving the best marine management outcomes for the WA community. It is further suggested that the planning process for future MPAs and sanctuaries within the marine waters of WA, would be more efficient and outcomes better if it were to follow the IUCN suggestion to recognise and build on the level of existing protection for marine biodiversity, such as those provided by the FRMA.

Whilst simplistic solutions (e.g. all fisheries need sanctuary zones) and generic rules (‘x’% of the coastline always needs to be closed to fishing) are often proposed, these are rarely found to be optimal or appropriate when dealing with the management of complex natural systems. Experiences in WA, and elsewhere, have shown that the only effective methods for the overall conservation and maintenance of harvested species (i.e. not their local densities) requires specific, directed and coordinated controls on the overall catch and effort across their entire range. While these controls often involve stock-specific spatial &/or temporal closure systems, complete closures or sanctuaries will generally make only a minor contribution to the management required.

==========

Contents
Abstract
1.0 Executive summary
2.0 Introduction
3.0 Background
4.0 Threats to marine biodiversity relevant to WA
4.1 Definitions of biodiversity and ecosystems
4.2 Threats to marine biodiversity
4.3 Summary
5.0 Marine environment protection controls
5.1 Fisheries and marine management under the FRMA
5.1.1 Spatially based management strategies
5.1.2 Management review processes
5.2 Marine Management under the CALM Act
Marine Protected Areas in WA
6.0 Value and implications of sanctuaries as a marine management tool
6.1 Expectations
6.2 The efficacy of marine sanctuaries and their effect on the productivity and sustainability of fisheries
6.3 The effective scale of monitoring for fisheries management and marine protected area performance
6.4 Discussion
7.0 Conclusions and Recommendations
9.0 Acknowledgements
10.0 References
11.0 Further reading

==========
End of extracts


TerryF
=====
Beavering away in the background......

Recreational anglers want sustainable fishing and good fishing experiences and a FAIR GO!.

Informed Recreational anglers aren't opposed to Marine Parks.

Informed Recreational anglers aren't opposed to sanctuary zones in the right places for the right reasons.

Informed Recreational anglers want to protect nursery areas, spawning fish stocks and spawning fish aggregations, but these don't need total closures all year long. Example:- Cockburn Sound Pink Snapper seasonal spawning closures championed by concerned recreational anglers.

Recreational anglers want to protect the environment, but locking up large areas is not the only way to protect the environment.

Informed conservationists would talk about the outcomes they want, and not just keep promoting one of the methods which might achieve them and ignore all the other methods........

I just got this from a conservationist body.

Marine Sanctuaries at risk from imminent announcement.

I hadn't planned to contact you this week, but we've been told that a decision on new oil and gas leases in important marine areas is imminent and we need your help.

We've heard that on 16 May there'll be an announcement that will see the release of oil exploration leases almost wholly within areas that may become marine sanctuaries.

We all must act now - send your message of concern to the Minister responsible so that he hears, loud and clear, that you want marine protection before oil exploration.

Releasing these areas for oil exploration will put an end to any chance that these critically important areas will become marine sanctuaries.

The potential new leases are off WA, just 80 km offshore from the famous surfing beaches of Margaret River, and off SA just 50 km from the incredible wildlife refuge of Kangaroo Island.

We need your help to head off this serious threat to new marine sanctuaries, especially in a part of Australia's oceans which are less than 1% protected.

Not only will we lose the chance to have marine sanctuaries declared in these areas, but the risk of oil spills, no matter how remote, will become a factor. No matter how good technology is, accidents do happen, as we saw with the devastating West Atlas oil spill in the Kimberley late last year. We've taken the footprint of that spill and overlaid it on these proposed leases so you can see what a spill might mean down there.

Speak to you soon.

David

David Mackenzie,
Online Communities,
@ Save Our Marine Life

P.S. Don't forget to join our Facebook community at www.saveourmarinelife.org.au/facebook

Had a call today to do a 12 minute survey on how I use my new RFBL. I did it, but what was interesting was that they were not interested in what I caught with spear, only crays and anything caught by line. Was kind of pointless seeing as I rarely fish with line. They also wanted to know how much I spend on fishing, whether I am happy with what I catch (and how it tastes!!!), which is generally nothing, along with a heap other stuff.

Anyone else get it. Apparently I might win $200 to waste at BCF now.

can anyone tell me release weights are they only compulsry for the perth metro area or for the whole state?

Recfish Australia forced to move backwards

The peak body representing all Australian recreational fishers, Recfish Australia, has been forced not to renew the CEO's contract and accept the resignation of the Chair of the Board following the rejection of a request for financial support from the Australian Government.

In the week after the government finally released its National Strategy for Recreational Fishing for public comment, it is ironic that Recfish Australia is required to take such dramatic action.  Recfish is repeatedly recognised in the National Strategy for all its past hard work and industry leadership but has now been denied the funding it requires for ongoing representation of the national interests for 3.5 million recreational fishers, providing expert and sound advice to government agencies and the fishing and boating industries.

Recfish Australia has, for the last 27 years represented millions of recreational fishers who annually inject into local and regional economies an estimated 3 - 5 billion dollars. "Recreational fishing is a fundamental component of our Australian way of life." said outgoing Chair Mr Frank Prokop."

Recfish has recently provided a long term self funding options report to Government for their comment, however none of these options will deliver the short term cash injection needed. To date several requests made to government have been met with the same response, "to look elsewhere for a funding stream".

The Australian Government recently renewed its commitment to the nation's commercial fishing industry, by committing $2.6 million to Oceanwatch, funding the SeaNet environmental program. Oceanwatch is a 'not for profit' organisation focused on sustainable commercial fishing practices. "Recfish Australia sees the Oceanwatch funding as a positive approach by the government and would like the same opportunity extended to Recfish Australia to work with government on sustainability issues." said Mr Prokop.

At its most recent Board meeting, Recfish Australia needed to address these difficult decisions by repositioning the organisation back to its former volunteer run status, with Mr Russell Conway from Victoria as the new Chair.

Recfish Australia member organisations refused to allow such an important peak body to become extinct.  There are just too many recreational fishing issues which require a national presence and perspective, such as the upcoming Commonwealth Marine Bioregional Planning consultation covering vast stretches of coastline and which will involve more bans on fishing using 'sanctuary zones' around Australia.

The recent Mako Shark debate, which galvanized thousands of fishers into action clearly demonstrated to government the tremendous potential to influence policy when all recreational fishers speak out at a national level over one issue.

Recfish Australia today called on all recreational fishers, fishing tackle and bait retailers and tackle manufacturers to write, or personally visit their federal members of parliament, asking how millions of fishers who contribute billions of dollars annually can so easily lose their 'One Voice' to government.

Recfish encourages the government to reconsider their decision and engage in meaningful discussions with Recfish Australia.

ENDS – Media Contact Len Olyott 0427073356 or Russell Conway 0419320843

http://www.recfish.com.au/images/stories/pdf/MR_Recfish_Australia_forced_to_move_backwards.pdf

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background.......

You need Recfishwest to look after your recreational fishing future.

Who else has time, knowledge, professional approach, realistic alternatives, willingness and contacts?

Become a member www.recfishwest.org.au/MembershipDet.htm

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore embraced the aquaculture potential of Western Australia today when he opened a cutting edge-design commercial brine-shrimp farm at Port Gregory, near Geraldton.

Brine-shrimp, also known as Artemia or ‘sea monkeys’ are a key component of the food used in the commercial aquaculture of fish and prawns.

Mr Moore said an expert team led by Department of Fisheries scientist Sagiv Kolkovski, had developed the technologically-advanced facility to cultivate the minute Artemia, in partnership with Cognis Australia, the world’s biggest producer of the naturally occurring red pigment, beta-carotene.

The farm is located at Cognis Australia’s Hutt Lagoon, Port Gregory plant, where the company farms micro-algae from which beta-carotene is extracted.

“This new facility has potential to create a new multi-million dollar industry in rural WA and will help lead to more sustainable fish farming practices both domestically and internationally,” Mr Moore said.

“The development of this project marks the culmination of seven years’ research work, providing a much-needed source of high quality, sustainable fish-feed for Australian and international fish-farms.

“The project embodies the State Government’s goal of promoting sustainable fishing and aquaculture practices and ensuring there are fish for future generations.”

The development is a collaboration between the State Government, the aquaculture industry and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).

“I congratulate Cognis Australia, Department of Fisheries research staff, and the FRDC for their efforts to turn this globally significant project into a working operation,” Mr Moore said.

“The collaboration models successful partnerships between government and industry.”

Commonly known as ‘sea monkeys’, Artemia feed on micro-algae and can be an unwanted pest in the production of beta-carotene.

However, researchers have devised an Artemia-rearing system that can work effectively in tandem with Cognis’ large-scale commercial micro-algae plant, turning a potential threat into an opportunity.

Because it feeds on the highly nutritious algae, the Artemia produced will be of the highest-grade quality and contribute to the reduction of the reliance on imported Artemia supplies and other less sustainable fish feed sources, answering one of the main criticisms levelled at the industry.

Artemia produced at the plant will also help fill the regular gaps in Artemia supply to Australia’s commercial aquaculture industry as a result of market shortfalls.

Hi there. I know there is a heap of companies that restorate tiled roofs. Can anyone on here recommend a company? Any info would be great, cheers

Well some one had to bring the footy up. Dockers played a great game tonight, good to see the young players getting into it. Didnt watch the eagles game, was busy pulling weeds. Footy season is here, let the banter begin!

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24 February 2010

With more than 700,000 people fishing recreationally in Queensland each year, new data on participation and catch are needed.

To help determine the true worth of recreational fishing, more than 4,000 recreational fishers will take part in a telephone survey beginning later this year.

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said the survey would more accurately capture the state’s recreational fishing catch.

“The survey will target a cross section of recreational fishers throughout the state for a 12-month period,” he said.

“The last state-wide survey was conducted in 2004-05 so a more up-to-date picture of how the Queensland population fish is needed.

“Almost three-thousand people took part in that survey by filling out log books.

“Information from this year’s survey will help establish the value of recreational fishing to the State economy.

“Survey data will be used to shape decisions about the sector to boost development and enhance the recreational fishing experience.”

The Minister said one of the key findings from the 2004-05 survey was the general decline in recreational fishing participation rates.

“While declining recreational fishing rates is a worldwide trend, Queensland’s environment has changed,’ he said.

“Since 2005, the population in Queensland has grown from 3.86 million to 4.38 million.

“Technology has created more accurate fishing methods, and significant development has occurred, especially in coastal areas.

“Importantly, this year, for the first time in Queensland, we have put a dollar value against the recreational fishing sector.

“Since its inception in 2001, our economic forecast summary, Prospects, has included commercial fishing data but until this year has never included recreational fishing.

“For 2009, recreational expenditure for Queensland residents is estimated to be between $350 million to $420 million.

“The industry supports thousands of jobs – we want to promote recreational fishing to protect and create jobs, and we want recreational fishing to remain sustainable.”

Fisheries Queensland managing director Jim Groves said $500,000 was being invested in the new state-wide recreational fishing survey.

“The state-wide survey for 2010-11 will focus on gathering information on participation rates, where people fish and what they catch,” Mr Groves said.

“Using skilled telephone interviewers the survey will target a cross section of recreational fishers throughout the state for a 12-month period.

“In tandem with the state-wide survey, additional monitoring methods will continue, like the boat ramp surveys, which will provide the finer detail.”

Dr Stephen Taylor, senior fisheries scientist and survey coordinator said there were definite advantages to carrying out research by telephone.

“We will use a team of skilled telephone interviewers who will contact respondents on a regular basis, recording all of their fishing activity.

“This frequent contact means the burden of remembering to record information is not on the respondent but on the interviewer. This technique also reduces drop out rates.

“The survey has an internationally recognised format and is already being used with success by other states including Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.”

Media: Mark Symons 3239 6530

http://www.recfishwest.org.au/FundingRecfishAustralia.htm



Recfishwest concerns over the future of Recfish Australia



Hon Tony Burke

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry



Dear Minister



Recreational fishing is an important activity for at least one in four Australians, and an estimated 645,000 people in Western Australia. Fishing generates direct expenditure of at least $2 billion per annum. It is the lifeblood of many regional areas where employment and development are reducing in many instances. It is one of the most important activities associated with the Australian way of life.



Recreational fishing also has enormous social, health and lifestyle benefits including getting people outdoors, combating obesity, learning about the environment, relaxation, sport and provision of personally caught seafood which is the freshest possible.



It is a very sad fact that the commonwealth government currently provides no financial support to the peak body but spends billions of dollars on federal and state environmental and natural resource management. For example, Caring for Our Country is a $2.25 billion five-year funding program but recreational fishing does not qualify. The Commonwealth found $220 million to 'correct' management measures in commercial fisheries. You have recently announced funding for Oceanwatch which is an important organisation but provides a service to infinitely fewer Australians than Recfish Australia. Indeed, recreational fishing is the largest unsupported industry in Australia.



The peak body, Recfish Australia, currently gets no direct support. This must be changed immediately because without a national peak body recreational fishers cannot be effectively involved in key Commonwealth decisions which impact on the future of recreational fishing and all Australians e.g. Marine Bioregional Planning, Mako shark decisions, animal welfare, recreation management and the Coral Sea Conservation Zone.



For nearly 25 years Recfish Australia has repeatedly demonstrated, with limited resourcing, key benefits of strategic leadership and co-ordination of a diverse recreational fishing community:



- Liaison with the federal Government and agencies/departments



- Sustainable fisheries management



- Leadership and community partnerships



- Community monitoring of stocks and habitat



- Increased safety



- Coordinated communications



- Development and education of sustainable fishing practises



- Consolidation of state peak body responses on national issues, including conservation and climate change.



Recfishwest is a committed member organisation of Recfish Australia. We currently supply the Chairman of the Board, even though this frequently means that national business interferes with Recfishwest activities. Although Recfishwest has a reputation for successful negotiation with government in our own right, Recfish Australia undertakes many important tasks at the national level on our behalf.



Recfish Australia has an important lead role on national issues such as the recent Mako shark ban (and other EPBC and CITES issues), the Commonwealth Marine Bioregional Planning process, and importation risks associated with fish products and aquarium fish to name but a few.



The Recfishwest resources at a state level are limited, and issues such as the Mako shark ban highlighted extremely important principles of engagement and process but the issue itself was significantly less prominent in WA than it was in Victoria and Tasmania. It would be impossible for Recfishwest to respond effectively to national issues that affect our recreational fishing sector without an appropriately supported national organisation.



Recfish Australia's mission is "One voice promoting sustainable fishing and representing recreational fishers at a national level." It is highly likely at this stage that Recfish Australia will be wound up from about April 2010 and that voice will be lost.



The future of strategic, sustainable, community supported recreational fishing co-ordination on national issues is under severe threat unless there is recognition of the benefits and importance of recreational fishing in the Commonwealth government and bureaucracy.



The recreational sector has made enormous progress in changing community attitudes to sustainable management and our role in the many diverse processes. This unfortunately does not appear to be recognised at the national level and one of the fundamental activities of the Australian way of life could be jeopardised for want of around $200,000 per year against GST revenue alone of the order of $100 to $200 million.



Recommendations



1. CPI indexed funding for Recfish Australia from the Commonwealth Government of a minimum of $200,000pa from 1 July 2010 for the next 3 years, which could be provided out of the unspent RFAC funding. Funding would be based on agreed performance targets being met under a service agreement.



2. National grant projects such as Caring for Our Country, and the public good component of FRDC funding are redesigned to allow overt recognition of the benefits of recreational fishing and regional communities so that Recfish Australia can develop partnerships commensurate with the economic and lifestyle benefits which we provide.



3. Recfish Australia and the Commonwealth Government agree on a list of priority projects, issues, timeframes and resources to consult and implement.



Recfish Australia is working extremely hard to overcome the negative perceptions that some people have about its representativeness, services and achievable outcomes. Recfish Australia has joined the Boating and Fishing Alliance to better separate the leadership and representation roles from the lobbying role.



Recfishwest looks forward to a positive response on the recommendations listed above. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any queries or additional information that may be required in support of retaining and financially supporting Recfish Australia for the benefit of Australia's diverse recreational fishing community.



Andrew Matthews

Chairman

Recfishwest

16 February 2010



TerryF

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Beavering away in the background.......

Date: Wednesday, 3 February 2010
The dumping of shark carcasses on 80 Mile Beach, almost two years ago, has resulted in another commercial fisher being fined, over breaches of the fishing exemption he formerly operated under.

62-year-old Milton John COMINO was found guilty and fined a total of $4,500 in the Broome Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday 2 February).

It follows fines of almost $1,800 issued against Kimley Ross WANN in Broome Court in April last year, after investigations into the discovery of shark remains on 80 Mile Beach.

In April 2008, Fisheries and Marine Officers from the Department of Fisheries Northern Region office inspected two separate fishing camps around 250 kilometres from Broome.

The then Fisheries Minister John Ford took immediate steps to cancel the exemptions that allowed two commercial fishers to net fish along 80 Mile Beach.

Yesterday, in Broome Court, Mr Comino was fined $2,200 on a charge of failing to bury or cover bycatch and $800 on a further charge of failing to nominate persons fishing for him.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of $1,500.

Department of Fisheries Northern Region Manager Peter Godfrey said commercial fishers needed to be aware of and adhere to conditions on their licences or exemptions.

“Conditions are imposed for sound sustainability, environmental and operational reasons,” Mr Godfrey said.

“A condition of the exemption issued to Mr Comino under the Fish Resources Management Act stated that no discarded fish, parts of fish or fish offal was to be left on the beach, or left unburied or exposed, as a result of set netting activities.

“Fisheries and Marine Officers estimated there were around 300 carcasses found at the dump site at Mr Comino’s camp on 80 Mile Beach.

“Not only did both commercial fishers (Mr Comino and Mr Wann) lose their exemptions over their unacceptable actions, but both matters have also led to each of the men being fined for breaching conditions that applied to their former fishing operations.”

The first joint-partnership between the Department of Fisheries and leading oil and gas giant Woodside would give Western Australian students and teachers better tools to study our marine environment.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said the social investment program would facilitate incorporation of the marine education manual and teachers’ kit into schools as an important teaching tool, and was a classic example of State Government-corporate sector co-operation

“This collaboration will provide access to teaching tools developed specifically to improve marine education in WA,” he said.

The Minister said in light of the State’s vast coastline, it was important students understood WA’s marine environment in order to make informed decisions about its sustainable management in the future.

“Woodside’s $300,000 support over two years means the marine education manual and teachers’ kit will be provided free-of-charge to every school in WA,” he said.

“This will allow consistency and quality of education in this specialist and important subject. Education is fundamental to understanding the issues facing our fisheries today and in future.”

Executive vice president Kevin Gallagher said, as a marine operator, Woodside and its workers understood and valued the diversity, complexity and beauty of the marine environment.

“For most Australians the marine environment, filled with all manner of life and energy, is an unknown world,” Mr Gallagher said. “Our support and involvement with Marine Discovery West is a great fit.”

He said Woodside had a comprehensive history of contributing to knowledge of the marine environment, including long-lasting relationships with more than 10 State and national bodies focused on marine research, education and conservation.

“This program is significant for Woodside as we have a responsibility to understand the marine environment,” Mr Gallagher said. “By educating our young people we can help secure its future.”

Marine Discovery West, the education arm of the Department of Fisheries, carries out programs for the approximately 385,000 students in more than 1,100 State Government and independent schools in WA’s metropolitan and regional areas.

Part 1 of the marine education manual (for primary schools) will be implemented in 2011. Part 2 (for secondary schools) is expected to come on stream in 2012.

For more information about the Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre and Marine Discovery West, visit http://www.nmdc.com.au or phone 9203 0339 and for more information about the department visit http://www.fish.wa.gov.au or call 9482 7333.

Minister's office - 9422 3000

Apparently (not gospel) but Straits Salt have withdrawn their application for the salt mine on the eastern side of the gulf.  As many of you know the size of the area was unbelievable and considering that side of the gulf is a nursery for the entire region, its happy days!  I'm sure a few will be unhappy about it as it would create more work in the area, but ultimately this is pristine country that feeds our fishery and any sort of damage could have had untold consequences.  Will confirm it when I find out more.

Cheers,

Adam

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore has revised his management strategy for the C Zone of the rock lobster fishery following high-level talks with peak fishing bodies and the State’s six major crayfish processors.

Mr Moore today said that in an encouraging display of unity, representatives from the six major processors, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) and the Western Rock Lobster Council (WRLC) had met earlier this week to offer an alternative management plan for the rest of this season.

“Industry now wants to lower the current pot usage ratio from 44 per cent for the

2009-10 season and adjust fishing days to slow the catch and smooth peak fishing periods,” he said.

“My primary responsibility all along has been the long-term survival of this fishery and if industry could come up with an alternative to achieve the required catch reductions, I would listen to its plan.”

The Minister said that under the previous plan developed through the Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee (RLIAC), the fishery’s C Zone was to have two fishing closures this season (from January 18-31 and from March 12 to April 11).

An earlier closure was successfully implemented during the Christmas period.

“But industry now wants alternative arrangements involving a mix of non-fishing days and additional pot reductions. I have agreed to this,” Mr Moore said.

During the talks this week, the Minister stressed it was not the State Government’s responsibility to micro-manage the economics of the commercial rock lobster industry.

“Although I have taken action mindful of such micro-management issues, my primary responsibility is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery,” he said.

Mr Moore was pleased processors, the WRLC and WAFIC had displayed leadership on the issue and worked with fishers to give him their consolidated advice.

The new proposal, offered with the support and agreement of the five C Zone Professional Fishing Associations, WA’s six major lobster processors and the WRLC, was for a return to fishing as soon as possible and a single 10-day closure from March 12-21.

Other conditions included pots out of the water during the closure and a reduced pot usage of 30 per cent of licensed pots (instead of 44 per cent) for the rest of the season.

“Industry would now prefer to keep fishing with fewer pots than have extended closures,” the Minister said.

“As long as the new arrangements do not adversely affect the total catch target of 5,500 tonnes for this season, I will agree.”

Mr Moore said the new plan could also result in saving jobs that otherwise may have been lost.

“Fishers and processors indicated that the extended closures proposed under the previous plan were likely to cause the loss of casual staff in the industry,” he said.

Under the Act, RLIAC is required to review the most recent proposal. RLIAC met on Wednesday, January 20 and supported the industry proposal.

“I will now allow fishers to fish from Monday to Thursday of next week in C Zone and for the rest of the season except for the 10-day closure in March,” the Minister said.

“There will be ongoing monitoring of the fishery for the balance of the season and further action can be taken if it appears that fishers will not achieve the total allowable catch for C Zone of 2,475 tonnes.

“Options include increasing pot numbers and returning extra fishing days to fishers as occurred towards the end of last season.

“This new plan applies to the commercial rock lobster fishery only. The recreational sector has had different measures imposed and these appear to be achieving the desired catch for that sector.”

Minister's office - 9422 3000

(Courtesy of the ABC)

A massive algal bloom that has killed thousands of fish at Nhulunbuy, east of Darwin, is expected to resolve itself, Northern Territory Government scientists say.

The Environment Department says the algae is naturally occurring and caused by rain washing nutrients into Port Bradshaw.

Julia Fortune from the Environment Department says the bloom should clear-up during the wet season.

"It's quite common for that to occur in NT waterways, particularly around the commencement of the wet season where a lot of the nutrients and sediment that are stored in the catchment are conveyed to receiving waterways with the commencement of flows in many of these systems that pretty much don't flow during the dry season at all," she said.

The former president of the Nhulunbuy Regional Sports Fishing Club, Peter Cox, says a range of target species were among the 25,000 dead fish.

"I had reports of some medium-sized spanish mackerel up to six to eight kilos," he said.

"Also there were queen fish and trevally amongst them and of course some mangrove jack and a small amount of barramundi, and as we said, bait fish took up a large proportion of the kill."

Grange Resources Limited (ASX: GRR, Grange) is pleased to announce that the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has today recommended that the Albany Port Expansion Project receive environmental approval.

This is another significant milestone for Grange and the Southdown project near Albany in Western Australia. The Albany Port Expansion Project will allow the port to cater for Cape Size vessels, supporting the proposed export of iron ore concentrate from Grange's Southdown iron ore mine.

The use of the larger Cape Size vessels will contribute to shipping and operational efficiencies, as well as reducing by two thirds the shipping movements required in the Albany harbour compared to the current smaller vessels.

The published EPA bulletin will now be considered by the West Australian Minister for the Environment for the final ministerial approval process.

With environmental approval already in place for the mine site and pipeline to Albany, together with the power transmission line to the Southdown mine site, and for the Malaysian Pellet plant site, ministerial approval of the port expansion will be the last major approval necessary for this large project to proceed.

The Southdown project is predicted to employ over 600 people on a permanent basis in the local Albany region, with a potential mine life in excess of 30 years. A construction workforce of 1000 people is expected.

Figure 1 - Albany Port showing proposed location of new Berth in foreground.

Grange Managing Director Russell Clark said the release of the Bulletin was the culmination of extensive scientific studies, community consultation and submissions to the EPA.

“After an enormous amount of work and scientific study, we are delighted the project has now reached this important development stage, which is a major step forward in bringing Southdown into commercial operation,” said Mr Clark.

The expansion involves the removal of sand to create a new berth at the Port and widening and deepening of the entrance channel “We've undertaken significant scientific studies to give the EPA the high degree of confidence it requires to recommend approval of the expansion and related channel deepening,” said Mr Clark.

The scientific studies undertaken have included state of the art water current modelling incorporating the latest meteorological, ocean energy and bathymetry data, marine benthic habitat studies and the production of a management plan for the channel work incorporating all local parameters.

The channel to be deepened consists of clean sandy material and as such, remobilisation of material is not an environmental risk.

The site chosen for the material removed from the channel has been selected as it is the most stable site for the relocated sand and is almost double the depth of the previous deepest disposal site in Western Australia.

Stringent operating procedures are in place as part of the EPA approval, including protocols for when whales and other large marine life are present in the operational area. The operational parameters recommended for approval by the EPA are designed to protect and respect the local marine life, environment and associated local businesses.

The expansion will also provide benefits for other port users, with potential for reduced operating costs.

“Albany Port has played a significant role in the development of the City of Albany, and the expansion will ensure that the Port continues to make an important contribution to the city and local region into the future,” said Mr Clark.

Grange is Australia's leading magnetite producer, through its Savage River iron ore mine and Port Latta operations in Tasmania. Port Latta is currently Australia's largest producer of iron ore pellets. Grange will use the expertise gleaned at Savage River as it develops the Southdown project.

For further information visit the Grange website at www.grangeresources.com.au

The EPA Report is available on the EPA website at epa.wa.gov.au

Media statement issued 15 January 2010.

SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK

Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Labor’s mako shark ban threatens scientific research

The Rudd Labor Government’s decision to ban mako shark fishing is threatening the collection of scientific data for research purposes.

The ban, which will also have major social and economic impacts, is being opposed by Australian recreational fishermen who are voting with their pens in their thousands. More than 3000 fishermen from every State have signed a national petition (attached) calling on Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to stop his plan to prevent fishing three shark species including the mako shark under the EPBC Act from 29 January.

“In the space of a few weeks during the summer holidays thousands of recreational fishermen have united in their anger with the Rudd Government’s decision,” Federal Coalition spokesman for Fisheries Richard Colbeck said. “Minister Garrett has been advised by recreational fishing peak bodies and clubs that his actions threaten further research being conducted by prominent researchers and data being collected, but he continues to ignore the industry.“

The major contributors to mako shark scientific data in waters off Australia are the recreational fishermen through tagging and releasing their mako catches. Fishermen take great responsibility for maintaining sustainable fish stocks and that is no different for the mako shark.

“Tagging and releasing, a popular form of mako shark fishing, has allowed marine scientists to track the species, understand their migration paths and determine the level of stocks. One major project currently underway which has benefited significantly from the efforts of recreational fishermen is at: www.seaturtle.org/tracking/index.shtml?project_id=308."  But with a no-take policy, this data collection work would be put at threat with fishermen less likely to invest in equipment, time and effort to undertake such activities.

“Fishermen would also be in fear of being nabbed for breaking Federal environmental laws by targeting the mako sharks – even if they only planned to release them.”  “Minister Garrett has claimed that more data is required on mako sharks to determine their stocks yet this ban threatens further scientific research.” 

Senator Colbeck urged any recreational fishermen or other member of local communities affected by the ban to sign the national petition if they had not already done so. 

Petitions need to be returned to Senator Colbeck’s office prior to the end of January so they can be tabled in Parliament in early February. The national petition calls on Minister Garrett to:

1.  postpone any decision to implement any no-take policy on shortfin mako, longfin mako and porbeagle sharks beyond this fishing season;

2.  begin a genuine consultation process involving both the recreational and commercial fishing sectors, including game fishing clubs;

3.  publish and explain, as part of the consultative process, the science relating to any shark fishing ban proposals including the status of the species in Australian waters; and

4.  develop, with input and feedback from both the recreational and commercial fishing sectors, credible protocols for the management of the fishery prior to any bans being implemented.

Well weve all seen it on TV, the sea shepherd trimaran run down by the japanese whaler. A deliberate act of aggression without any thought for human life. In fact the water cannons were still aiming at the stricken vessel in an attempt ( I believe) to dislodge the injured & drown them in the freezing sea.
Now we will see if our government have the balls to do something realistic other than that totally useless diplomatic approach. Throw your Midnight Oil disks in the bin or hang them in your fruit trees to keep the birds away because Peter Garrett is just a total W-----r!

Environment Minister Donna Faragher said today the Ningaloo Coast’s nomination for World Heritage listing was recognition of the area’s outstanding natural beauty, biological richness and international geological significance.

Federal Environment, Heritage and the Arts Minister Peter Garrett announced that the Ningaloo Coast had been nominated for World Heritage listing by the Australian Government with the support of the Western Australian Government.

Mrs Faragher said the nomination was for an area of 710,000ha and included Ningaloo Reef, Cape Range, a coastal strip extending about 260km south to Red Bluff, as well as adjacent dunefields, marine areas and islands.

“The reef is part of a marine ecosystem that ranks seventh on the world’s list of coral reef biodiversity ‘hotspots’ and is second in terms of the number of species to be found within a limited range,” she said.

“The Cape Range peninsula is an evolutionary laboratory that emerged from the sea over 26 million years, built from the skeletons of ancient marine creatures.

“The Ningaloo Coast represents the best opportunity in the world to encounter whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, together with globally significant populations of manta rays, dugongs, marine turtles, humpbacks, other cetaceans, rays and sharks.

“This nomination is also recognition of the comprehensive management arrangements in place for the area based on a network of marine and terrestrial conservation reserves.”

The State Government will remain principally responsible for management and decision making in the area, in consultation with local governments, pastoralists, landholders and the community.

“The various land tenures of the nominated property, if listed, will remain under the control of the State and Federal government jurisdictions; the shires of Exmouth and Carnarvon; and private land and lease holders,” the Minister said.

Mrs Faragher said the State Government had worked closely with the Australian Government to identify an appropriate boundary for the nomination.

“World Heritage listing is the highest global recognition of a site’s importance and if listed, Ningaloo Coast will be recognised with the greatest of the world’s heritage sites such as the Grand Canyon, Egypt’s Pyramids, Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Stonehenge,” she said.

“The reef and the adjoining Cape Range National Park attract more than 100,000 visitors a year, which results in an injection of approximately $127million into the Gascoyne region’s economy.”

The nomination document is being sent to the World Heritage Centre in Paris, where it will be assessed during the next 18 months.

Shark Bay and Purnululu National Park are the only other Western Australian sites which are World Heritage listed.

Minister's office - 9213 7250