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28 June, 2017A compliance operation conducted by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), from December 2016 to May 2017, has resulted in the seizure of over 1000 illegal crab traps and nets as well as 920 crabs.
Fisheries Officers used high-tech equipment including long-range surveillance cameras and drones to locate illegal traps
DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully said the operation codenamed ‘Portunus’ involved hundreds of patrols aimed at targeting illegal crabbing to apprehend offenders creating deterrence, coupled with an educational campaign designed to increase knowledge of crab fishing rules.
“Fisheries Officers detected 440 recreational crabbing offences and 26 commercial crabbing offences,” Mr Tully said.
“Fisheries Officers used high-tech equipment including long-range surveillance cameras and drones to locate illegal traps and illegal fishers and will continue to use innovative methods to improve compliance.
“In one operation on the far north coast, NSW Police assisted Fisheries Officers in detecting a commercial fisher ‘rolling’ or ‘looting’ other commercial fishers’ traps.
“We recognise the support of the industry and coastal communities for this operation. The Fishers Watch phone line received approximately 240 reports of suspected illegal crabbing activities which assisted Fisheries Officers in apprehending numerous offenders.”
Most of the offenders have been issued penalty notices of up to $500 each while some will be issued court attendance notices and face fines of up to $22,000 or 6 months imprisonment, or both, for the first offence. These penalties double for second or subsequent offences.
A total of 10 offences were detected in the retail sector, mostly in the greater Sydney and Central Coast areas.
“Any seafood that is not handled, stored and prepared in the proper manner may pose serious health risks to consumers, therefore it is vitally important that people buy their fish and crabs from legitimate sources,” Mr Tully said.
“Although Operation Portunus has officially ended, DPI will continue to target the illegal capture and unlawful sale of the valuable crustaceans.”
All fishers are reminded that if they are going crabbing to check the rules in the area by visiting the local fisheries office or dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing.
Report suspected illegal fishing activity by calling the Fishers Watch phone line 1800 043 536 or report online atdpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/compliance/report-illegal-activity
28 June, 2017
A compliance operation conducted by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), from December 2016 to May 2017, has resulted in the seizure of over 1000 illegal crab traps and nets as well as 920 crabs.
Fisheries Officers used high-tech equipment including long-range surveillance cameras and drones to locate illegal traps
DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully said the operation codenamed ‘Portunus’ involved hundreds of patrols aimed at targeting illegal crabbing to apprehend offenders creating deterrence, coupled with an educational campaign designed to increase knowledge of crab fishing rules.
“Fisheries Officers detected 440 recreational crabbing offences and 26 commercial crabbing offences,” Mr Tully said.
“Fisheries Officers used high-tech equipment including long-range surveillance cameras and drones to locate illegal traps and illegal fishers and will continue to use innovative methods to improve compliance.
“In one operation on the far north coast, NSW Police assisted Fisheries Officers in detecting a commercial fisher ‘rolling’ or ‘looting’ other commercial fishers’ traps.
“We recognise the support of the industry and coastal communities for this operation. The Fishers Watch phone line received approximately 240 reports of suspected illegal crabbing activities which assisted Fisheries Officers in apprehending numerous offenders.”
Most of the offenders have been issued penalty notices of up to $500 each while some will be issued court attendance notices and face fines of up to $22,000 or 6 months imprisonment, or both, for the first offence. These penalties double for second or subsequent offences.
A total of 10 offences were detected in the retail sector, mostly in the greater Sydney and Central Coast areas.
“Any seafood that is not handled, stored and prepared in the proper manner may pose serious health risks to consumers, therefore it is vitally important that people buy their fish and crabs from legitimate sources,” Mr Tully said.
“Although Operation Portunus has officially ended, DPI will continue to target the illegal capture and unlawful sale of the valuable crustaceans.”
All fishers are reminded that if they are going crabbing to check the rules in the area by visiting the local fisheries office or dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing.
Report suspected illegal fishing activity by calling the Fishers Watch phone line 1800 043 536 or report online atdpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/compliance/report-illegal-activity
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Whale Census A Success
A spectacular days whale watching with great friends, spotting 99 Humpbacks from Bilgola Headland.
A huge well done to everyone who took part & made this years ORRCA National Whale Census Day such a success.
photo and news courtesy David Jenkins- June 25th, 2017
A spectacular days whale watching with great friends, spotting 99 Humpbacks from Bilgola Headland.
A huge well done to everyone who took part & made this years ORRCA National Whale Census Day such a success.
photo and news courtesy David Jenkins- June 25th, 2017
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Owl Be Right, Possum - Hollows For Habitat Project Success
29 June 2017: NPWSA recent project undertaken by Walcha Area National Parks and Wildlife Service staff installing artificial hollows or nest boxes has had immediate results with both sugar gliders and brush-tail possums moving in within 6 months.
NPWS Ranger Sam Doak said the project provided homes for arboreal mammals, which then supplemented the food source for threatened owl species.
"A tree without a hollow is like a house without a door for species such as sugar gliders that depend on making their home inside the trunk.
"This project centred on new land recently added to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park east of Walcha, where there were areas of regrowth where hollows had not yet formed.
"By providing supplementary nest boxes, we were able to encourage the arboreal and ground dwelling fauna to expand their range into regrowth areas.
"This means more homes for possums and sugar gliders.
"A secondary benefit is the additional food source then available for threatened powerful owls and other birds of prey.
"The powerful owl is Australia's largest owl, requiring very large hollows and plenty of food for its young and is found in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
"An important part of the nesting box project was monitoring the boxes to determine if they were being used.
"The boxes were monitored from the ground, using a remote digital camera, wi-fi, a mobile phone app and a 6 metre extension pole, which minimised the need for disturbance and the use of ropes and ladders.
"The monitoring detected possums and sugar gliders using the nesting boxes and also photographed powerful owls utilising the food source.
"After just six months in operation, this was a great result and indicates the nesting boxes are an important tool in assisting to accelerate natural processes," Mr Doak said.
29 June 2017: NPWS
A recent project undertaken by Walcha Area National Parks and Wildlife Service staff installing artificial hollows or nest boxes has had immediate results with both sugar gliders and brush-tail possums moving in within 6 months.
NPWS Ranger Sam Doak said the project provided homes for arboreal mammals, which then supplemented the food source for threatened owl species."A tree without a hollow is like a house without a door for species such as sugar gliders that depend on making their home inside the trunk.
"This project centred on new land recently added to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park east of Walcha, where there were areas of regrowth where hollows had not yet formed.
"By providing supplementary nest boxes, we were able to encourage the arboreal and ground dwelling fauna to expand their range into regrowth areas.
"This means more homes for possums and sugar gliders.
"A secondary benefit is the additional food source then available for threatened powerful owls and other birds of prey.
"The powerful owl is Australia's largest owl, requiring very large hollows and plenty of food for its young and is found in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
"An important part of the nesting box project was monitoring the boxes to determine if they were being used.
"The boxes were monitored from the ground, using a remote digital camera, wi-fi, a mobile phone app and a 6 metre extension pole, which minimised the need for disturbance and the use of ropes and ladders.
"The monitoring detected possums and sugar gliders using the nesting boxes and also photographed powerful owls utilising the food source.
"After just six months in operation, this was a great result and indicates the nesting boxes are an important tool in assisting to accelerate natural processes," Mr Doak said.
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Tin Hut Spruce Up For 91st Birthday
Media release: 27 June 2017 - NS Dept. of Environment and HeritageA grand old lady of the high country has had a spruce up to coincide with her 91st birthday, but this nonagenarian won’t be blowing out her own candles. Tin Hut was built in preparation for the first winter crossing of the Snowy Mountains and, some 90 years on, she’s just enjoyed a face lift.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Area Manager Anthony Evans said the works to upgrade Tin Hut, coincided with the 90th anniversary of the first successful winter crossing of the Snowy Mountains from Kiandra to Kosciusko.
“Tin Hut is one of several historic huts across the High Country that today provide emergency accommodation for ski tourers and bush walkers as well as a window to the past,” Mr Evans said.
“When it was completed in 1926, Tin Hut was a crucial part of an attempt to cross the Snowy Mountains in winter, a feat that had never achieved.
“The Hut was built specifically for the winter crossing attempt, where it proved to be a life saver.
“The crossing in 1926 was thwarted by bad weather which saw the party, led by ski pioneer Dr Herbert Schlink, holed up in Tin Hut for several days before returning to Kosciuszko without completing the crossing.
“A second attempt in July 1927 was successful with high country huts including Tin Hut providing refuge along the route.
“Ninety years may have passed but Tin Hut is still in a remote location, making the renovation works challenging, although we did have access to some modern conveniences, including a helicopter, to do the heavy lifting,” Mr Evans said.
Decades of exposure to the harsh elements of the High Country saw the wooden corner posts rotted at ground level.
Tin Hut: wooden corner posts rotted
Working on Tin Hut restorations
NPWS staff along with members of the Kosciuszko Hut Association, spent weeks virtually dismantling and reassembling the hut replacing the frame and reattaching the original cladding.
“This painstaking work, which involved camping out on site, means none of the historic aesthetic has been lost - the hut looks and feels the same as it did previously.
“The result is an old hut with a new frame which should see it through many more decades and a reminder of the pioneering spirit that opened up the Snowy Mountains,” Mr Evans said.
Sir Herbert Schlink once had a home at Careel Bay - read our History page on this gentleman - Sir Herbert Schlink
LOST IN SNOW AT KOSCIUSKOHOW THEY SAVED THEMSELVESShort of food, fire and bedclothes, a party consisting of Drs. Herbert Schlink, Lennox Teece, and Eric Fisher, and Messrs. Richard Allen, William Gordon and Arnold Moulden, was in close grip with a blizzard which kept them prisoners in a small hut at Kosciusko for three days last week. The party returned to Sydney today — all well.
Led by Dr. Schlink noted alpine skier and climber, the party left Bett's Camp after a heavy snowstorm at Kosciusko on Saturday afternoon with the object of traversing the 75 miles journey to Kiandra within three days. In good weather the first stage of the trip to Bett's Camp was accomplished, but not without Incident, as Dr. Teece, borne on the back of Mr. Gordon, nearly came to grief in fording the Snowy River. Having slept at. Bolt's Camp on the Saturday night, the party the next morning explored the whole of the range, and had got to Gungarton Pass, when a snow storm burst. Visibility was very bad, and it became a grim fight, not only to reach the sheltering hut, but to find It. Luckily, despite the fog and mist, the Tin Hut was eventually reached, this being the furthest place on the main road to be reached in winter. Hardly had the climbers settled themselves down in the Tin Hut when the blizzard burst in great fury. They had provided themselves with three days' rations, and in the hut were a tin of bully beef, a bag of flour and a tin of baking powder.WHEN FOOD RAN OUTCramped for space, and with only one blanket to each man, and with the sodden wood throwing off more smoke than heat, the party suffered intensely from the cold. As the days sped by, and the raging blizzard, blizzard prevented escape, their plight became critical. Food ran out, and one of the party turned his hand to bread-making, but the stuff was like leather and uneatable. Another attempt by Mr. Gordon was more successful, and the captives munched ravenously at the hard bread.
Photo: The tin hut in which six men spent three days.
From Sunday afternoon until Wednesday morning the climbers were weather-bound in the hut, and time had hung heavily, on their hands. Occasional rushes were made outside In search of wood, while attention was given to improving the hut.
At 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, with all food exhausted, the party determined on the daring hazard of defying the blizzard, which had abated a little. They decided to strike across country to the hotel over the Snowy River. Progress was slow in the teeth of the gale though only ten miles had to be negotiated. In face of many hardships, the party, plodded on, missing by Inches menacing crevasses, and almost borne down by hall and wind. With their clothing held over their heads, the climbers they forded the Icy waters of the Snowy. On the other side It took them nearly an hour to restore circulation. The end of their goal came at last, the Hotel Kosciusko being reached at 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday. It was an almost unbeaten track the party took, over hairpin bends and along steep gorges. Great anxiety prevailed at Kiandra when the climbers failed to reach the town, and search parties were being organised when word came through that they were all safe. Dr. Schlink not only knows the perils of Kosciusko — he has climbed the principal peaks in Europe. Messrs. Leslie Conselt Stephen and Alastair Stephen were almost in the adventure. They accompanied the main party as far as Gill's Knob, 10 miles out, but returned from there to the hotel.
SKIERS A skiing party at Kosciusko, Left to right: Dr. L. Teece, Dr. Laidley, Dr, Fisher, Mr. Chester Foy and Dr. Schlink. Inset: Left, Dr, Fisher; right, Dr. Schlink. LOST IN SNOW (1926, August 14). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), , p. 7 (LAST RACE EDITION). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222714461
Dr. Schlink, after his first foray into Australian snow from at least 1909, and earlier, as mentioned above, during the white fields that can overcome a Goulburn Winter, was a member of the Ski Club of Great Britain (1910-62) and an honorary member of the Kandahar Ski Club (Gold K) from 1928. In 1960 the Schlink Pass between Guthega and Geehi was named after him.
HELD UP BY BLIZZARD. STORM BOUND ON MT. KOSCIUSKO Sydney, Sydney, August 14Short of food, fire, and bed clothes, a party consisting of Drs. Herbert, Lennox, Schlinck, Teece and Fisher, and Messrs. Richard Allen, William. Gordon, and F. Moulder, were kept prisoners in a small hut at Kosciusko by a blizzard for three days last week. The party returned to Sydney to-day, all well Led by Dr. Schlinck, a noted Alpine climber, the party left the hotel, Kosciusko on Saturday week with the object of travelling 65 miles to Kiandra within three day. In good weather the first stage of the trip was accomplished,- but not without incident, as Dr. Teece carried on the back of Gordon, nearly came to grief in fording the Snowy River.
Having slept at Betts' Gap that night, the party explored the whole of the range next morning, and had got to Gungarton Pass, when a snowstorm occurred. The men had a fight not only to reach the sheltering hut, but to find it. Hardly had the climbers settled than a blizzard burst in full fury. Cramped by space, with only a blanket to each man, and the sodden wood throwing off more smoke than heat, the party suffered intensely from the cold. As the days passed and the blizzard continued, their plight became critical. On the Wednesday the party defying the blizzard, decided to strike across country to the hotel over the Snowy River. New South Wales (1926, August 17).Geraldton Guardian (WA : 1906 - 1928), , p. 2. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article67220445
Dr Davey, Dr Fisher, Dr Herbert Schlink, (President, Ski Club of Australia), Richard Allen, Tom Baker ("Old Tom"), all from Ski Club of Australia, Mount Kosciusko, 1926 - Image No. perier_34208, courtesy State Library of NSW
Media release: 27 June 2017 - NS Dept. of Environment and Heritage
A grand old lady of the high country has had a spruce up to coincide with her 91st birthday, but this nonagenarian won’t be blowing out her own candles. Tin Hut was built in preparation for the first winter crossing of the Snowy Mountains and, some 90 years on, she’s just enjoyed a face lift.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Area Manager Anthony Evans said the works to upgrade Tin Hut, coincided with the 90th anniversary of the first successful winter crossing of the Snowy Mountains from Kiandra to Kosciusko.
“Tin Hut is one of several historic huts across the High Country that today provide emergency accommodation for ski tourers and bush walkers as well as a window to the past,” Mr Evans said.
“When it was completed in 1926, Tin Hut was a crucial part of an attempt to cross the Snowy Mountains in winter, a feat that had never achieved.
“The Hut was built specifically for the winter crossing attempt, where it proved to be a life saver.
“The crossing in 1926 was thwarted by bad weather which saw the party, led by ski pioneer Dr Herbert Schlink, holed up in Tin Hut for several days before returning to Kosciuszko without completing the crossing.
“A second attempt in July 1927 was successful with high country huts including Tin Hut providing refuge along the route.
“Ninety years may have passed but Tin Hut is still in a remote location, making the renovation works challenging, although we did have access to some modern conveniences, including a helicopter, to do the heavy lifting,” Mr Evans said.
Decades of exposure to the harsh elements of the High Country saw the wooden corner posts rotted at ground level.
Tin Hut: wooden corner posts rotted
Working on Tin Hut restorations
NPWS staff along with members of the Kosciuszko Hut Association, spent weeks virtually dismantling and reassembling the hut replacing the frame and reattaching the original cladding.
“This painstaking work, which involved camping out on site, means none of the historic aesthetic has been lost - the hut looks and feels the same as it did previously.
“The result is an old hut with a new frame which should see it through many more decades and a reminder of the pioneering spirit that opened up the Snowy Mountains,” Mr Evans said.
Sir Herbert Schlink once had a home at Careel Bay - read our History page on this gentleman - Sir Herbert Schlink
LOST IN SNOW AT KOSCIUSKO
HOW THEY SAVED THEMSELVES
Short of food, fire and bedclothes, a party consisting of Drs. Herbert Schlink, Lennox Teece, and Eric Fisher, and Messrs. Richard Allen, William Gordon and Arnold Moulden, was in close grip with a blizzard which kept them prisoners in a small hut at Kosciusko for three days last week. The party returned to Sydney today — all well.
Led by Dr. Schlink noted alpine skier and climber, the party left Bett's Camp after a heavy snowstorm at Kosciusko on Saturday afternoon with the object of traversing the 75 miles journey to Kiandra within three days. In good weather the first stage of the trip to Bett's Camp was accomplished, but not without Incident, as Dr. Teece, borne on the back of Mr. Gordon, nearly came to grief in fording the Snowy River. Having slept at. Bolt's Camp on the Saturday night, the party the next morning explored the whole of the range, and had got to Gungarton Pass, when a snow storm burst. Visibility was very bad, and it became a grim fight, not only to reach the sheltering hut, but to find It. Luckily, despite the fog and mist, the Tin Hut was eventually reached, this being the furthest place on the main road to be reached in winter. Hardly had the climbers settled themselves down in the Tin Hut when the blizzard burst in great fury. They had provided themselves with three days' rations, and in the hut were a tin of bully beef, a bag of flour and a tin of baking powder.
WHEN FOOD RAN OUT
Cramped for space, and with only one blanket to each man, and with the sodden wood throwing off more smoke than heat, the party suffered intensely from the cold. As the days sped by, and the raging blizzard, blizzard prevented escape, their plight became critical. Food ran out, and one of the party turned his hand to bread-making, but the stuff was like leather and uneatable. Another attempt by Mr. Gordon was more successful, and the captives munched ravenously at the hard bread.
Photo: The tin hut in which six men spent three days.
From Sunday afternoon until Wednesday morning the climbers were weather-bound in the hut, and time had hung heavily, on their hands. Occasional rushes were made outside In search of wood, while attention was given to improving the hut.
At 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, with all food exhausted, the party determined on the daring hazard of defying the blizzard, which had abated a little. They decided to strike across country to the hotel over the Snowy River. Progress was slow in the teeth of the gale though only ten miles had to be negotiated. In face of many hardships, the party, plodded on, missing by Inches menacing crevasses, and almost borne down by hall and wind. With their clothing held over their heads, the climbers they forded the Icy waters of the Snowy. On the other side It took them nearly an hour to restore circulation. The end of their goal came at last, the Hotel Kosciusko being reached at 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday. It was an almost unbeaten track the party took, over hairpin bends and along steep gorges. Great anxiety prevailed at Kiandra when the climbers failed to reach the town, and search parties were being organised when word came through that they were all safe. Dr. Schlink not only knows the perils of Kosciusko — he has climbed the principal peaks in Europe. Messrs. Leslie Conselt Stephen and Alastair Stephen were almost in the adventure. They accompanied the main party as far as Gill's Knob, 10 miles out, but returned from there to the hotel.
SKIERS A skiing party at Kosciusko, Left to right: Dr. L. Teece, Dr. Laidley, Dr, Fisher, Mr. Chester Foy and Dr. Schlink. Inset: Left, Dr, Fisher; right, Dr. Schlink. LOST IN SNOW (1926, August 14). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), , p. 7 (LAST RACE EDITION). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222714461
Dr. Schlink, after his first foray into Australian snow from at least 1909, and earlier, as mentioned above, during the white fields that can overcome a Goulburn Winter, was a member of the Ski Club of Great Britain (1910-62) and an honorary member of the Kandahar Ski Club (Gold K) from 1928. In 1960 the Schlink Pass between Guthega and Geehi was named after him.
HELD UP BY BLIZZARD. STORM BOUND ON MT. KOSCIUSKO Sydney, Sydney, August 14
Short of food, fire, and bed clothes, a party consisting of Drs. Herbert, Lennox, Schlinck, Teece and Fisher, and Messrs. Richard Allen, William. Gordon, and F. Moulder, were kept prisoners in a small hut at Kosciusko by a blizzard for three days last week. The party returned to Sydney to-day, all well Led by Dr. Schlinck, a noted Alpine climber, the party left the hotel, Kosciusko on Saturday week with the object of travelling 65 miles to Kiandra within three day. In good weather the first stage of the trip was accomplished,- but not without incident, as Dr. Teece carried on the back of Gordon, nearly came to grief in fording the Snowy River.
Having slept at Betts' Gap that night, the party explored the whole of the range next morning, and had got to Gungarton Pass, when a snowstorm occurred. The men had a fight not only to reach the sheltering hut, but to find it. Hardly had the climbers settled than a blizzard burst in full fury. Cramped by space, with only a blanket to each man, and the sodden wood throwing off more smoke than heat, the party suffered intensely from the cold. As the days passed and the blizzard continued, their plight became critical. On the Wednesday the party defying the blizzard, decided to strike across country to the hotel over the Snowy River. New South Wales (1926, August 17).Geraldton Guardian (WA : 1906 - 1928), , p. 2. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article67220445
Dr Davey, Dr Fisher, Dr Herbert Schlink, (President, Ski Club of Australia), Richard Allen, Tom Baker ("Old Tom"), all from Ski Club of Australia, Mount Kosciusko, 1926 - Image No. perier_34208, courtesy State Library of NSW
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More Life-Saving Breast Screens For The Coast
28 June 2017: Minister for Health and Medical Research. The Hon. Brad Hazzard
About 10,000 women will be offered free, life-saving mammograms every year at a new $957,000 BreastScreen NSW centre at Erina on the Central Coast.
Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard today joined Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch and Taylor Martin MLC to officially open the new state-of-the- art facility, which will boost breast screening capacity by 20 per cent on the Central Coast.
“I particularly encourage women on the Central Coast aged over 50 to take 20 minutes every two years to visit this great new centre – the screening is free, you don’t need a doctor’s referral and it is potentially life-saving,” Mr Hazzard said.
“One in eight women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and the earlier it is detected, the better the outcome.”
Mr Crouch said the cutting-edge facility will enable 1,500 more local women in the next year alone to be screened.
“The centre is also working with local community networks to increase the number of Aboriginal women who attend for a regular breast screen,” Mr Crouch said.
The centre features an additional $450,000 of equipment, including a digital mammography unit, and an imaging unit that will provide instant, high-quality specimen images during biopsy procedures.
The centre offers free mammograms to women over 40. Women in the 50-74 age group are encouraged to have a breast screen every two years.
The centre, previously based at Gosford Hospital, also has free, accessible parking and extended opening hours.
BreastScreen NSW Northern Sydney Central Coast Director Meredith Kay said the centre would provide an enhanced service in the rapidly growing region.
“This centre will improve patient comfort and help staff provide the best care and support during what can be a very anxious time for women,” Ms Kay said.