Event Details:

When: Tuesday 27th January. 12:30 – 1:30pm
Where: Salt House, Marina Point
Who: Micheal Trout MP (LNP), Rob Pyne (Labor candidate), Noel Castley-Wright (Greens candidate)
What: Introduction to the issues from CAFNEC, Short talks from candidates, Q&A. 

Free to attend. 2 for 1 bar meals available from 12 noon.

CAFNEC Marine Programs Coordinator Josh Coates said:
“We are continuing our very successful Reef hour event series with an ‘Election Special’ in the week before Queenslanders go to the polls.
The protection of the Great Barrier Reef is a crucial election issue and this event is an opportunity for candidates to clearly articulate their position on a range of issues in relation to reef protection.
We are actively encouraging Far North Queenslanders to ‘vote for the reef’ this election and as part of that we are giving the politicians the chance to outline and defend their policies.
Issues discussed will include the Cairns Port dredging proposal, the development of the Reef 2050 plan and the threat of ‘World Heritage in Danger’ listing, coastal development, land based impacts such as agricultural runoff , fisheries management, protection of vulnerable species such as dugong and turtle and the issue of climate change impact on the reef.
The reef is clearly the highest profile environmental issue this election and reef health is extra important to us in the Far North. We expect a very informative session, interesting questions and a great opportunity for the community to hear directly from the local candidates and for media to report the positions of the parties in relation to the reef and FNQ.”

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Conservation action for our far North Queensland marine environment.

Here in Queensland’s far North we enjoy one of the most diverse and beautiful marine environments in the world. Our ocean, reefs, estuaries and marine life need our help to survive and prosper.

We need your help to protect the world below the waves.

Can you make a little time to meet like-minded people and take action for the conservation of our marine environment?

What is the Marine Response Team?

Our fish, dolphins, dugongs, turtles and corals face a daunting range of threats but we can make a positive difference. The Marine Response Team will take proactive action to educate the public and decision makers and prevent threat. We will respond to existing threats by awareness raising, direct activities to protect and restore threatened habitat and facilitating community involvement in decision making.

We are hands on and seek to build a fun and dynamic team of like minded people who are prepared to give their time and help others to take action for our sea life.

Our model is to empower people to make positive change a reality. We facilitate leadership and action in a friendly, social and collaborative space where all members are valued and we support each other to achieve our goals. Regardless of your age, skills or background we will seek to find ways that your unique skill set can make the whole more than the sum of its parts.

How can you find out more and be part of the action?

We will be running a 1st meeting introduction session and planning brainstorm and we want you to be there. Get involved from day 1 and shape the future of the Marine Response Team.

When: Wednesday 2^nd  October 6pm – 7pm (with optional informal discussions from 7-8).

Where: CAFNEC, Cominos House, 27 Greenslopes st (corner of Greenslopes & Little Street), Cairns North.

What to bring: Bring a friend, enthusiasm and your ideas for projects or activities that you think can help protect the marine environment.

RSVP: please let us know if you are planning to come along, email us at marine@nullcafnec.org.au or give us a call on 4032 1586. Thank you. We can’t wait to meet you

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A dynamic and compelling collection of stories that will take you on a journey from the shallows of the coral reef to the depths of the oceans.

Program

Stuart Ireland – ‘What happened when the lights went out’

Ben Jones -‘Introducing the Flatback Turtle – an Aussie local and unsung hero of the turtle world’

Dean Miller- ‘Adventure for Change- filming the sea in far away places’

John Rumney –   ‘Curious Encounters: Minkes Whales

Jeremiah Johnson – ‘Music for the Coral Sea’

15min Break

Xanthe Rivett – ‘Colours and Characters of the Coral Sea’

Jennie Gilbert – ‘The Perils, Plights and Hopes of Our Turtles’

Richard Fitzpatrick – ‘Tagging Tigers and Wrestling Whitetips – the challenges, science and art of shark research’

Imogen Zethoven – ‘A Journey Towards Protection: The Coral Sea Marine Reserve’

Fun debate with the diving industry ‘When Nemo retires who will be the next icon of the sea?”

Live Music

Date:  Saturday 8th June 2013
Time: 5pm for a 5.30pm start
Venue: Salthouse Bar and Resturant, Cairns Marina
Cost: Free
RSVP: marine@nullcafnec.org.au (appreciated but not required)

The post Celebrate With Us World Ocean Day appeared first on CAFNEC.

Coral Sea supporters from the dive industry

By Mariasole Bianco, Marine Campaigner, CAFNEC

It’s impossible not to love the amazing species and landscapes of the Coral Sea.

From thickly forested islands to small sandy cays, beautiful coral reefs and yet to be explored reef slopes and deep sea canyons; the Coral Sea contains 49 different habitats and supports over 300 threatened species. It is one of the last places on Earth where ocean giants – sharks, tuna, marlin – still abound and vibrant coral reefs still pulse with the rhythm and colours of life.

The protection of this unique place, through the creation of the world’s largest marine reserve, is an incredible win for our oceans. This win was made possible by the many people around Australia who sent a clear message that the Coral Sea is too precious to lose. Over the past two years, the government has received more than 680,000 submissions on the reserves and the management plans. The creation of the Coral Sea Marine Reserve is a fantastic result that will provide a safe haven for our marine life and a globally significant ocean legacy for generations to come.

However, to safeguard this legacy and maximise the returns on the Government’s investment, it is fundamental that the right management framework is created, properly funded and applied in the Coral Sea Marine Reserve.

Scientific research on Marine Protected Areas demonstrates that well managed reserves:

• Perform better and generate greater community support;

• Create new jobs;

• Promote regional tourism;

• Ensure compliance and enforcement of new regulations and zoning plans;

• Foster world class scientific research;

• Provide marketing opportunities to our fishing industry;

• Support quality recreational experiences; and

• Have the infrastructure in place to respond to major threats.

Photo: Xanthe Rivett

We are currently in the last stretch of the campaign, with the Coral Sea Marine Reserve about to be protected by law. In order to do so, the Minister will consider the draft plan and, if satisfied, he will approve the management plan. The plan will then be tabled in both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament and will come into force after 15 Parliamentary sitting days, provided it has not been disallowed.

During this time you can still help to make a difference by writing a short letter to the Editor to your local newspaper such as the Cairns Post showing your love and support for the Coral Sea and the importance of an effective management framework for the reserve.

Australia’s oceans are amongst the most diverse on Earth and it is fundamental to protect key areas of our unique marine environment from the impacts of destructive fishing practices and the damage that oil and gas drilling can have on our spectacular marine life.

Letters to the Editor must be 150 words or fewer and can be emailed to letters@nulltcp.newsltd.com.au  and include your name, home address or PO Box number and a telephone number (letters that cannot be verified will not be published by the newspaper). If you are stretched for time text messages to the editor are also published, send them to 0428  87 78 (include your name and suburb).

The post Our Love for the Coral Sea appeared first on CAFNEC.

This is a major step forward for creating balance in our oceans and ensuring healthy oceans for the future – which is good for all ocean users whether they seek to use it for harvest or for recreation.

From thickly forested islands to small sandy cays, beautiful coral reefs and yet to be explored reef slopes and deep sea canyons; the Coral Sea contains 49 different habitats and supports and supports 341 species which are globally threatened with extinction including endangered green turtles which nest on the Coral Sea islands and cays, 28 species of whales and dolphins and healthy populations of large ocean predators like tuna, billfish and sharks.

The protection of this special and important part of Australia would provide a safe haven for its marine life and a globally significant ocean legacy for generations to come.

In fact large marine reserves are one of the missing elements in global ocean conservation especially if we consider that in the last 50 years overfishing has reduced global populations of large ocean fish – sharks, tuna, marlin – by 90%. The Coral Sea is in this regard a beacon of hope. It is considered a biodiversity hotspot for these large oceanic fish that play a huge role in maintaining the health of the marine ecosystems.

For example sharks that are often protagonists of negative publicity play in fact a very important role in the health of

Wreck Reef © Xanthe Rivett

our ocean. Sharks are at the top of the marine food chain and they role is to keep populations of other fish healthy and in proper proportion for their ecosystem. In fact they tend to eat very efficiently, going after the old, sick, or slower fish in a population that they prey upon. In this way they keep that population healthier with largest and strongest members that generally reproduce in greater numbers and the outcome is larger numbers of healthier fish. It is scientifically proved that the removal of these large predators from coral reef ecosystems alters its natural balance and may cause the whole structure to collapse.

The protection of this unique place, through the creation of the world’s largest marine reserve, is an incredible win for our oceans. This win was made possible by the many people around Australia who sent a clear message that the Coral Sea is too precious to lose.

Over the past two years, the government has received more than 680,000 during an extensive public consultation and planning process that has helped shape the development of the Commonwealth marine reserve networks and their management plans.

However, to safeguard this legacy and maximise the returns on the Government’s investment, it is fundamental that the right management framework is created, properly funded and applied in the Coral Sea Marine Reserve.

Scientific research on Marine Protected Areas demonstrates that well managed reserves:

• Perform better and generate greater community support;

• Create new jobs;

• Promote regional tourism;

• Ensure compliance and enforcement of new regulations and zoning plans;

• Foster world class scientific research;

• Provide marketing opportunities to our fishing industry;

• Support quality recreational experiences; and

• Have the infrastructure in place to respond to major threats.

We are currently in the last stretch of the campaign, with the Coral Sea Marine Reserve about to be protected by law. In order to do so, the Minister will consider the draft plan and, if satisfied, he will approve the management plan. The plan will then be tabled in both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament and will come into force after 15 Parliamentary sitting days, provided it has not been disallowed.

Australia’s oceans are amongst the most diverse on Earth and it is fundamental to protect key areas of our unique marine environment from the impacts of destructive fishing practices and the damage that oil and gas drilling can have on our spectacular marine life. Once again thank you for your invaluable help and support during this long journey!

The post Our Love for the Coral Sea led to greater protection of this marine jewel appeared first on CAFNEC.

Free Film Screening of Planet Ocean

Date:  Saturday 2nd February 2013

Time: 6.30pm for a 7pm start

Venue: Centre of Contemporary Arts, 96 Abbott St, Cairns

Bookings essential: 405 33779    marine@nullcafnec.org.au 

Join us for this special screening of ‘Planet Oceans’. The film takes us on a magnificent and unprecedented journey into the heart of the least known regions of our planet. It narrates the links between man and ocean, the future of humankind on Earth, the governance issue of the high seas and challenges we’ll have to face tomorrow.

This is the official trailer  http://youtu.be/7vYMUV2_das.

Coral Sea Lagoon Fun Day

Date: Sunday 3^rd February 2013

Time: from 11am to 4pm

Venue: Cairns Lagoon

Join us for a family fun day as the lagoon comes alive with the creatures of the Coral Sea.

Activities will include: Free BBQ, Face painting and many Fun activities and family games

Come out and embrace the Wet Season with us as we celebrate the colour and beauty of the Coral Sea… Make sure you bring your swimmers and a big smile!

The History of the Coral Sea Exhibition

Date: from 21^st January to 8^th February 2013

Venue: James Cook University Library

Experience the history and stories that link us with the Coral Sea.

The History of Coral Sea is an exhibition that will take you on a journey though the dramatic history of the Coral Sea and the changing perceptions towards our oceans.

Find out how shipwrecks, Matthew Flinders, emus, whales, war and natural wonders combine to form the history of one of Australia’s most remote and special ocean regions.

The post You are invited to a month of Ocean celebration appeared first on CAFNEC.

More than 100,000 Australians have had their say on the Coral Sea, and the government has listened! Since late 2012, more of the Coral Sea has been fully protected.

Now, we are in the last public consultation period of the process and this is our last opportunity to have a say and ensure the best possible outcome for the Coral Sea.

With nearly 1 million square kilometres of deep blue water, coral reefs, and spectacular marine life, the Coral Sea Marine Reserve is truly an incredible win for our ocean. But right now, the reserve exists only on paper, not yet on water.

The draft management plan, while improving protection in the north-west of Osprey Reef, reduces the level of protection in the south-west of the reef.

This change has removed protection for a very important area of high ecological significance extending from the pelagic cleaning station at ‘Around the Bend’ (south-west of The Entrance to the Osprey lagoon) to False Entrance.

This area was protected under the government’s previous publicly released map.

In this final public consultation period we urge the Environment Minister Tony Burke to add the following finishing touches to the marine park:

1. Restore and widen the marine national park zone from the “cleaning station” at ‘Around the Bend’ (south-west of The Entrance to Osprey Lagoon) to False Entrance, in order to protect sharks and rays and other ocean giants.
2. Ensure new and adequate funding for implementation of the Coral Sea management plan.
3. Provide financial assistance to the long-line fishers who are willing to stop fishing down to 22 degrees south.
4. Delegate management of the Coral Sea Marine Reserve to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to enable it to implement its world-class compliance management.

Send in a submission now to ensure that the Coral Sea Marine Reserve will be effectively managed.

The post Last public consultation period for the Coral Sea Marine Reserve appeared first on CAFNEC.

It is official. We can now celebrate the proclamation of the Coral Sea Marine Reserve!

photo © Lucy Trippett

This outcome was the combined effort of so many people! However, the work is not yet over. Now, we need to focus on ensuring the Marine Reserve has the best possible management plan. We have two more public consultation periods where your voice is important. The first started today.

The Director of National Parks is asking for public comment for a period of 30 days on the proposal to prepare a draft management plan of the Coral Sea Marine Reserve. Send in a submission now to ensure that the Coral Sea Marine Reserve will be effectively managed

The management plan will define all the activities that will be allowed within the Coral Sea Marine Reserve and how they must be carried out. The Coral Sea truly is the jewel in the crown of the new national system of marine reserves and we now need to urge the Federal Minister for the Environment to do all he can to protect this special place into the future by developing a comprehensive and effective management plan.

In particular we will urge the Minister to make two changes to the zoning system to help maintain the health of one of the most intact tropical pelagic ecosystems in the world.

1.      Extend the marine national park zone around Shark, Vema and Osprey Reefs further west by 10 kms to ensure that the important reef-associated pelagic species and reef slopes are fully protected.

2.      Provide financial assistance to the long line fishers who are willing to stop fishing down to 22 degrees South and extend the marine national park zone over this area.

During the recent public consultation period on the final zoning over 83,000 people entered submissions in favour of the marine reserve network and we would love to achieve the same results this time!

So please sign the submission and spread the word!

The post Start of the New Public Consultation Period for the management plan of Coral Sea appeared first on CAFNEC.

Biological role of sharks

Sharks are ‘apex predators’ and play a vital role in the health of our ocean.  Removal of large predators from coral reef ecosystems throws out the natural balance. They are necessary to ensure the stability of the entire system. In both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, predator removal can cause a potentially irreversible cascade of complex knock-on effects (known as trophic cascades) that destabilise food-webs and the marine environment as a whole.  Due to the deeply interconnected food webs of our oceans, the full extent of potential and already occurring trophic cascades triggered by predator loss remains unknown, warranting further study amid growing concerns that cascades could be widespread.  We can spare the Coral Sea this fate.

Sharks in the Great Barrier Reef

A study conducted in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Marine Park reveals that shark populations are heavily affected by fishing but benefit greatly from the establishment of green zones (Marine National Park – closed to fishing). There is strong evidence that shark populations of the Great Barrier Reef are in decline due to fishing pressure, with Grey reef shark reduced to only 3% of natural populations on some fished reefs. Whitetip reef sharks had declined around 80% on fished reefs also. Small reserves or networks of reserves cannot offer sharks the same protection as a large scale marine reserve, due to the size of their home range.  The proposed scale of the Coral Sea Marine Reserve, its green zone and the removal of long-line fishing from two-thirds of the area will contribute greatly to the protection of shark populations.

Sharks in the Coral Sea

The proposed Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve encompasses almost 1 million km².  Within the marine reserve is a series of zones which provide different levels of protection.  Importantly, key areas considered as significant habitat to the oceanic species that reside within it, including sharks, are currently left unprotected.  It would take only minor changes to improve this greatly.

Osprey Reef, for example, one of the world’s iconic shark diving experiences, has been given only a hairline of protection.  The green (marine national park) zone extends just 30-50m from the reef edge, leaving the entire reef slope and reef-associated shark population vulnerable. Grey, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks are regularly seen here, with silvertips, tigers and great hammerheads patrolling the blue. At least ten species of pelagic sharks move through the Coral Sea including shortfin mako, bronze whalers, oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, tiger, and great white sharks. The Coral Sea is also home to a rare whale shark aggregation and 52 species of deepwater sharks and rays, 18 of which are unique to the area.

Our Ask

As the process for the effective establishment and management of the proposed Coral Sea Marine Reserve continues, we will now ask the Environment Minister Tony Burke to develop a comprehensive and effective management plan.

We will urge him to extend the marine national park zone around Shark, Vema and Osprey Reefs further west by 10kms to ensure that the important reef-associated pelagic species and reef slopes are fully protected as they are vital elements of the reef ecosystem.

In the southern Coral Sea, where the shark biodiversity hotpot is located, longline operators have indicated they are willing to exit the area down to 22degrees south, with fair financial compensation. We will then urge Burke to increase the protection of this area and effectively protect the seamounts, Townsville Trough (an important migratory pathway) and part of the shark biodiversity hotspot that has currently been left vulnerable.

Help us to make the Coral Sea a safe haven for sharks:  The Ocean takes care of us, let’s return the favour!

The post Sharks of the Coral Sea appeared first on CAFNEC.

photo courtesy of Xanthe Rivett

The national network of marine reserves recognises the value of our oceans as the common heritage of all Australians and announces Australia as a world’s leader in marine conservation.

During the recent public consultation period on the final zoning over 83,000 people entered submissions in favour of the marine reserve network

However, the process for the effective establishment and management of the national marine reserves network, including the proposed Coral Sea Marine Reserve, continues.

The next step, which we are expecting to be very soon, is the ‘proclamation’ of the marine reserves that will confirm the reserves boundaries and zoning and make them official – not just a plan. After the proclamation we will enter in what it is likely to be the most crucial phase of the process: the development of the management plan.

The management plan will define all the activities that will be allowed within the reserve and how they must be carried on.

Coral Sea Beauty © Lucy Trippett

By Australian law, management plans are prepared by the Director of National Parks, with public input, and approved by the federal Minister for the Environment following this process:

1. The Director of National Parks publishes a notice inviting public comment for a period of 30 days on the proposal to prepare a draft management plan and then he prepares the draft.
2. The draft management plan is released for public comment for a period of 30 days
3. The Director of National Parks provides the Minister for the Environment with the second draft management plan which takes into account the public comments on the draft plan.
4. The Minister considers the draft plan and, if satisfied, approves the management plan.
5. The plan is then tabled in both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament and comes into force after 15 Parliamentary sitting days, provided it has not been disallowed.

This means that, following the proclamation, there will be two more rounds of public consultation for the management plans when it will be fundamental that we provide our input to ensure that the iconic Coral Sea is effectively protected.

The ocean sustains all life on earth and it is fundamental to act decisively to protect key areas of our unique marine environment. The Coral Sea truly is the jewel in the crown of the new national system of marine reserves and we now urge the Minister for the Environment to do all he can to protect this special place into the future by developing a comprehensive and effective management plan. So stay tuned and celebrate with us the proclamation but remember that the Coral Sea needs your input more than ever!

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