Latest News and Events
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Archive. Information relating to past and upcoming
conferences, workshops and meetings can also be found on our
Calendar of
Events.
Great Barrier Reef suffering from Australia's decision to allow
pesticides
guardian.co.uk
WWF says
Australian government's lifting of three-month moratorium on diuron
could spell disaster for 1,600-mile reef
Australia
's Great Barrier Reef will suffer damage as a result of a decision
to allow farmers in far north Queensland to resume using a
pesticide, according to environmental groups.
The World
Wildlife Fund says a decision by the Australian government to lift
a three-month moratorium on the use of the pesticide, diuron, on
tropical crops like bananas, pawpaw, pineapples and sugar cane is a
"disaster" for the reef.
Read more
Call to protect dying Indigenous languages
ABC News,
10
April 2012
Linguists say there is a critical need to preserve Indigenous
Australian languages that are in danger of dying out.
Research shows that up to 90 per cent of the world's 7,000
languages could be lost by the end of the
century. Of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander languages, only 20 from of an original 250
are still widely spoken.
Adelaide University linguistics professor Ghil'ad Zuckermann says
they should be better recognised as part of the country's
heritage.
"I think that Australia holds one
of the world's records for linguicide, for the killing of
language," he told AM.
"We don't want Australia to be at the top of the list when it comes
to the loss of languages."
Read more
Yellow crazy antes invade Far North national park
The Cairns Post, 7 April 2012
Yellow crazy ants, one of the world's most invasive species, have
infested more than 100ha of the Far North's Wet Tropics World
Heritage Area for the first time.
The infestation at Mount Peter in Little Mulgrave National Park
near Edmonton covered 117ha and was likely the result of illegal
dumping of green waste, Biosecurity Queensland Yellow Crazy Ant
program eradication co-ordinator Gary Morton said.
See More
Why is the sea rising at different rates around
Australia?
What causes sea level rise? Why is the average sea-level rise
around Australia higher than the global mean? And why is the sea
rising at different rates around Australia?
Read
More
Green is suddenly the new black
in business
With sustainability issues moving mainstream over the past
decade, the volume of work requiring ecological expertise - and the
industry that supports it - has grown.
Read More
'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.
Giant marine park plan attracts 300,000 submissions
A conservation group says more than 300,000 submissions have been
made on a proposal to create a new protected area in the Coral Sea
off Queensland. Read more
Health of Great Barrier Reef being assessed
The environmental arm of UNESCO is in central Queensland this week
to assess the health of the Great Barrier Reef. Read more
Talbot joins Wet Tropics board
The Australian Conservation Foundation’s Cape York Program
Officer, Leah Talbot, has been appointed to the board of the Wet
Tropics Management Authority. Read more
Marine scientists alarmed about increasing threats to ocean
ecosystems
Oceans cover nearly three quarters of the earht’s surface and
contain 96 per cent of its living space. They produce oxygen for
every second breath we take. However, the acidification of the
oceans, caused by the absorption of huge volumes of carbon dioxide,
is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, threatening marine
ecosystems and the livelihoods of tens of millions of people.
Read more
The Catlin Seaview Survey lets people see the Great Barrier
Reef from their couch
The Catlin Seaview Survey, recently launched in Singapore
will see about 50,000 panoramic images of the reef uploaded
to Google Earth and Google Maps. When these images are merged
together people will be able to choose a location and go for a
virtual dive.The major scientific study will also have a YouTube
channel and include Google Hangouts video technology, allowing
people to watch expedition dives broadcast live from the ocean
floor.
Read more
Top biological real estate of Far North Queensland
threatened
THE Far North represents seven of the 10 most highly-threatened
landscapes in Australia and ecologists warn the fragile ecosystems
are in danger of irreversible damage without urgent grassroots
action. Read more
Reef Teach celebrates 20-year milestone
A valuable Great Barrier Reef teaching tool is turning 20 this
year. Reef Teach has taught thousands of visitors about the wonders
of the Reef. Read more
Can we eat our fish and protect them too? Forbes reports on the new concept of fish banks - areas set aside
for fish stocks to regenerate and in turn replenish fishing zones.
Read more
Scientist maps Coral Sea
Dr Robin Beaman, a marine geologist at James Cook
University’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, has
produced a new map of Australia’s Coral Sea region that
details the reefs, mountains, and canyons that exist below the
water.
Read more
University of Utah: Climate change threatens tropical
birds
Climate change spells trouble for many tropical birds –
especially those living in mountains, coastal forests and
relatively small areas – and the damage will be compounded by
other threats like habitat loss, disease and competition among
species. Read more
Australia to assess development pressure on Barrier Reef
Australia will carry out a comprehensive assessment of
development pressure on the Great Barrier Reef to help preserve the
world's largest coral reef system. Read more
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:
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.
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.
Daru workshop participants
(Photo courtesy of David Roe)
Australian
representatives came from the Sea Turtle Foundation, the MTSRF, the
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
(DEWHA), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT). The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) were
unable to attend due to a major workshop to further develop Dugong
and Turtle Management Plans in the region.
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.
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