Latest News and Events

To include your latest news article on the News and Events page, contact our Cairns office.  Can't find the information you're looking for?  It may have been transferred to the News and Events Archive.  Information relating to past and upcoming conferences, workshops and meetings can also be found on our Calendar of Events.

Traffic noise killing off frogs - Australian Geographic article

(1 June 2010) A recent article by Australian Geographic looks at how urban traffic noise is drowning out the mating calls of some Australian frogs.  The article highlights research being conducted by MTSRF funded researchers from James Cook University (Project 4.9.3), who, surprisingly, discovered that while larger frogs are being negatively affected by urban noise, the smaller male common mist frog (Litoria rheocola) can cope better because of their higher-pitched calls. Read more.

Call for Abstracts:  2012 NCCARF National Adaptation Conference

The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) is holding it annual national conference in Melbourne, 26-28 June 2012. 

A call for abstracts is now current and submissions will be accepted until 31 January 2012.  Abstracts should address one or more of the proposed conference topics, details of which are available for perusal at the conference website.

http://www.nccarf.edu.au/conference2012/

Date Claimer:  Grower Innovation Virtual Expo (GIVE), Yamba

The Grower Innovation Virtual Expo (GIVE) will be held in Yamba, northern New South Wales, 12-14 March 2012.  The expo is a grower-focused forum within the Australian sugar industry and will bring innovative and leading cane growers together to transfer information from grower to grower.  

The draft program includes farm visits, field demonstrations, research presentations, keynote speakers and informal exhibitions.

For further information, visit the GIVE website.

Date Claimer:  Beef Australia 2012, Rockhampton

(28 September 2011) Beef Australia 2012 will be held 7-12 May 2012 in Rockhampton, central Queensland.  The exhibition will feature stud cattle, trade displays, seminars, tours and social events, as well as an International Beef Cattle Genetics Conference and Genetics and Reproduction Technologies Marketplace to promote the latest research and technologies, and allow producers to follow up on new business concepts and contacts.

Visit the Beef Australia 2012 website for a preliminary program and tours and events calendar, and information about trade fairs, competitions and everything else!

Date Claimer:  12th International Coral Reef Symposium, Cairns

(28 September 2011) In July 2012, the world's leading natural scientists, resource managers, conservationists, economists, educators and graduate students will meet in Cairns, North Queensland, to progress coral reef science, management and conservation. 

Abstracts are invited for oral and poster presentations.  For further information and to determine which mini-symposium you wish to contribute to, visit the ICRS 2012 Call for Abstracts webpage.

Early Bird registration will be available until 1 March 2012.  Registration can be completed online or by hard copy form submission.  Visit the conference registration webpage for further information.

For all other information, including key dates, draft program, pre- and post-conference tours and travel and accommodationa advice, visit the ICRS 2012 home page.

Available Now:  'Government coastal planning responses to rising sea levels, Australia and overseas', technical report by ACE CRC

(24 August 2011) The Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC (ACE) recently published a comprehensive technical report which outlines current policy responses by Australian federal, state and territory governments, selected local councils from each state and responses by California, NY state, Holland and UK.

Visit the ACE CRC website to download.

2nd Coral Reef Management Symposium - Coral Triangle Area

"Coral Reefs:  Global Threats and Opportunities", Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, 28-30 September 2011

(24 August 2011) The Coral Triangle Area, consisting of the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Timor-Leste is recognised, not only as the centre of world marine biodiversity, but also as the most important refuge for the world's marine life. The region is home to more than 500 species of corals and 3,000 species of reef fishes. Most importantly, this area supports more than 200 million people.

Indonesia is located at the heart of the 'The Coral Triangle' and has the largest coral reef area of any country in the world. Unfortunately, human activities have placed substantial pressures on these fragile ecosystems and have caused serious coral reef degradation, mostly through destructive fishing, overfishing, global warming, coral mining, pollution, sedimentation and nutrient depletion. As a result, only around six percent of the coral reefs in the country remain in very good condition.

The 2011 international symposium will discuss these and other challenges, and will bring together policy makers, scientists, NGOs and the private sector to identify solutions for coral reef issues.

Further Information:  http://www.coral-symposium-cti.com/ 

Research facilities available for hire at Yorke Island, Torres Strait

(3 May 2011) Facilities at Yorke Island (Masig) are available for scientists, researchers and program managers looking to conduct projects in the Torres Strait region.  Facilities include dive boats, SCUBA equipment and accommodation.

Kailag Enterprises Ltd is a not-for-profit Indigenous organisation based at Yorke Island.  The company manages an aquaculture venture producing bath sponges at an approved marine farm, and currently employs eight Indigenous staff experienced in diving and scientific work with scientists.  Kailag staff can also assist in the provision of services for projects, including boat drivers (coxswains) and experienced SCUBA divers. 

Kailag can offer the facilities and staff on a negotiated contractual basis to organisations interested in marine based research projects, surveys and field programs at or near the Yorke Island group.

For further information, download the Kailag flyer and/or contact Kailag Enterprises CEO Philippa Bauer on 0457 809 007.

Greats news for North Queensland's environment

(11 March 2011) On behalf of the the large consortium of research providers and end users based in and working in North Queensland, the Reef & Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) recently signed a contract with the Australian Government to administer a new, regionally-focused environmental research hub funded through the National Environmental Research Program (NERP).

The $25.8 million research hub will fund four years of research into environmental isuses facing the Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Wet Tropics rainforests.

'This is fantastic news for everyone living and working in the region, including major industries such as the tourism industry,' says Sheriden Morris, Managing Director of the RRRC.

Read more:  Download RRRC Media Release, 11/03/2011

Nominations open for 2011 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

(16 March 2011) This year's nomination round is now open and will close on Friday 13 May 2011 at 5:00pm AEST.  Nomination are invited for the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science, which are offered to Australian citizens or those who hold permanent residence status in Australia. 

The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science are a national tribute to excellent and dedicated work in Australian science and science teaching.  Each comprises a cash component, a medallion and a lapel pin of the nature of those worn by recipients of Australian Honours such as the AO.

Further information about this year's nomination round, as well as recipients of the 2010 prizes, is available at the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research website.

National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) 2011 Conference

(2 March 2011) The 2011 NCCARF Conference will be a one-day event held on Wednesday 6 April at the Cairns Convention Centre, North Queensland, in conjunction with Greenhouse 2011.

For further information and to register your interest for the NCCARF Conference, visit the conference webpage at www.nccarf.edu.au/conference2011.

Traditional ecological knowledge is facilitating climate change adaptation in Torres Strait

(19 January 2011) Research funded by the MTSRF Torres Strait research program has shown that traditional ecological knowledge and practices are helping communities in Torres Strait to adapt to changes in the region's climate. 

Researchers from James Cook University (JCU) worked closely with Torres Strait communities to record traditional knowledge and practices, including a seasonal calendar, to help improve our understanding of both the vulnerability of Torres Strait islands to climate change and the capacity of communities to adapt to an unprecedented rate of changes in their environment. 

Recent work with the Erub Island community in particular was the focus of an article by Greencross Australia.

Recent outputs that highlight JCU and other research in Torres Strait are freely available for download:

• Resilience in knowledge:  Unpacking adaptation strategies on Erub Island
• Elders' and Aunties' experiences of climate change on Erub Island
• Documenting and sharing the seasonal calendar for Erub Island
• Constructing the Torres Strait:  a report on policy, media and public opinion
• Traditional ecological knowledge is facilitating climate change adaptation in Torres Strait (MTSRF synthesis report)
• A synthesis of climate change and coastal science to support adaptation in the communities of the Torres Strait (MTSRF synthesis report)
  

RRRC donates Melbourne Cup winnings to Hospital

(8 November 2010) Staff of the RRRC's Cairns office enjoyed a festive lunch for the 2010 Melbourne Cup and came away winners, but more so for not pocketing the prize money.

The RRRC team attended a fundraising lunch hosted by the Cairns Reef Hotel & Casino to help raise much needed support for the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, and were ecstatic to watch their raffled horse come home in first place.  Pictured is RRRC Managing Director Sheriden Morris (left) donating more than $1300 in corporate winnings to fundraising coordinator Paula Campion on the day.

Planet Safe Research:  Research information that improves decision making

(5 August 2010) A key deliverable of MTSRF Project 5.10.2, planetsaferesearch.com.au is a website designed to easily integrate with the MTSRF website but with the tourism industry and wider community in mind.  It targets these particular 'research users' with easy to understand, comprehensive summaries, fact sheets and news updates that highlight the outputs of MTSRF-funded research.  Some of the latest updates to the website include several new topical fact sheets that explain carbon offsetting, water quality, the new e-Atlas, climate and dung beetles, ciguatera and northern bettongs. Visit the Planet Safe Research website homepage to access these and more resources.

'Greenhouse 2011:  The Science of Climate Change' Conference Notice

(30 July 2010) Scientists, industry representatives and all levels of government will hear about the latest climate change science at the GREENHOUSE 2011 meeting, to be held at the Cairns Convention Centre from 4-8 April 2011.

Abstracts are invited on topics in line with the conference theme of 'the science of climate change'.  Abstracts are to be submitted by 19 November 2010.  See the conference website Abstract Submission webpage for further information.

For all other supporting information, including program, registration, venue and sponsorship opportunities, visit the conference home page.

Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program for Western Province, Papua New Guinea - Development Workshop, Daru, 10 June 2010

(19 July 2010) A Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program Development Workshop, held in Daru, Papua New Guinea (PNG) on 10 June, brought together some 35 participants, including representatives from the thirteen PNG Treaty villages in Western Province.  Facilitated by the Sea Turtle Foundation, with support from the MTSRF Project 1.3.4, the workshop was also attended by representatives of the PNG Department of Environment and Conservation, the PNG Fisheries Department, the PNG Treaty Chairman and the PNG Border Liaison Officer.

Key objectives of the workshop included a review of the Guiding Framework that resulted from the Daru Turtle and Dugong Workshop held in February 2009, as well as an introduction of the Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program for Western Province, PNG, and the chance to seek feedback from workshop participants on content and delivery options for the Awareness Program.

The Daru workshop gave participants the opportunity to develop components of the Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program that the Sea Turtle Foundation will deliver in the thirteen Treaty communities and in Daru.

More information about the workshop is available at the Sea Turtle Foundation Daru workshop webpage.

[text]