Pittwater Online News

 Streamlined approach to managing flying-foxes

Media release - 22 December 2014

Problematic flying-fox camps will be easier to manage with the release of draft camp management guidelines for the Grey-headed and Spectacled flying-fox. 

These guidelines provide methods the community can use to disperse flying-fox colonies, where there are concerns for public health, in a way that does not impact upon the species. 

Flying-foxes play an important ecological role as pollinators and dispersers of native plant seeds, but when they gather in large groups they can cause noise, smell and health concerns for nearby residents. 

These guidelines describe options for low-cost and low-risk methods to disperse flying-fox populations, such as tree-trimming or boundary clearing. Communities will be able to undertake these activities without requiring approval from the Australian Government.

Importantly, the guidelines do not allow for lethal actions such as culling.

The Grey-headed flying-fox can be found widely across Queensland, NSW, ACT, Victoria and South Australia in search of food. The Spectacled flying-fox ranges across Far North Queensland. This means that national coordination is very important for managing the camps of these highly mobile species.

The policy has been developed through consultation with flying-fox experts and state and territory government agencies. It also draws on an improved understanding of flying-fox numbers and movements gained through the National Flying-fox Monitoring Programme. 

The draft guidelines are open for public comment until 30 January 2015 and are availablewww.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/flying-fox-policy-statement

 DECISION ON FISHING AMNESTY ANNOUNCED

Katrina Hodgkinson MP, Minister for Primary Industries Rob Stokes MP Minister for the Environment

MEDIA RELEASE- Friday 19 December 2014

Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, and Minister for the Environment, Rob Stokes, have announced a decision on the future of line fishing from ocean beaches and headlands at 30 mainland marine park sanctuary sites in NSW.

Based on independent scientific advice and environmental, social and economic considerations, the NSW Government will:

• retain the amnesty at 10 sites, which will be permanently rezoned to allow this activity; and

• immediately remove the amnesty at 20 sites, where sanctuary zone rules will again be enforced.

Ms Hodgkinson said the changes are consistent with the NSW Government’s new approach to management of the marine estate.

“The amnesty to allow shore-based recreational line fishing from 30 ocean beaches and headlands in marine park sanctuary zones was put in place in 2013 in response to the findings of the independent scientific audit of NSW marine parks,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“The audit found that information was lacking with respect to some no-take zones, including ocean beaches.

“The amnesty was announced as a temporary measure, while a thorough risk assessment of the impact of these activities was undertaken. 

“That assessment, completed by the independent Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel, found that recreational shore-based line fishing was a low-risk activity at 10 locations, which will be rezoned to permanently allow this activity.

“The panel’s findings have informed the NSW Government’s decision to retain the amnesty at 10 sites and lift it at 20 sites.

“The NSW Government has also consulted with community leaders and is acting to ensure marine protection on those beaches deemed to be at moderate or high risk.”

Mr Stokes said that enforcement of sanctuary zone provisions at the 20 sites will recommence immediately.

 “These areas will return to a more natural state to be enjoyed for activities such as snorkelling and diving, as well as being used for scientific reference sites and educational purposes,” he said.

“A six-month advisory period will accompany the lifting of the amnesty; during this period recreational fishers found to be in breach of the rules will receive a caution however repeat offenders will be subject to standard compliance action.

“Risks to threatened fish and bird species in several areas will be reduced.”

Mr Stokes said there remained information gaps in relation to the impacts of this type of fishing in marine waters.

“To help fill these, the NSW Government will implement an enhanced data collection program so that fishing pressure and ecological condition can be more readily compared,” he said.

“This additional science is vital to inform future management decisions, including the development of the Marine Estate Management Strategy and forthcoming marine park planning pilots,” Mr Stokes said.

Further consideration of economic, social and ecological values will occur in each of the areas as part of planned reviews of management arrangements in each marine park.

Further information, including advice to the NSW Government from the Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel and the Marine Estate Management Authority, can be found at www.marine.nsw.gov.au.

 Help stop the spread of pest fish Tilapia

17 Dec 2014

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is seeking assistance from the public to help stop the spread of Tilapia, one of the world's most invasive fish species, after they were recently detected in the far north east of the State.

DPI Strategy Leader Aquatic Biosecurity Melissa Walker said community assistance is urgently needed to control the spread these pest fish, which were recently found in Bogangar Canal and Cudgen Lake, south of Kingscliff.

"The highest risk for transporting Tilapia is via humans carrying live fish or eggs," Ms Walker said.

"If people catch or find a Tilapia, it is vital that the fish is not returned to the water.

"Our advice to anyone who catches or finds Tilapia is to humanely destroy and dispose of it appropriately.

"In any case of uncertainty about identification, we recommend taking a good quality photo then calling the Aquatic Pest Hotline immediately for confirmation."

Ms Walker said Tilapia have pale olive to silver-grey bodies, with a long continuous dorsal fin, and can grow to more than 36 centimetres and live up to 13 years.

"The fish are particularly threatening because they are such successful breeders," Ms Walker said.

"Mothers produce up to 1200 eggs a year and protect their young fry in their mouths for up to 14 days before releasing them.

"This technique, known as 'mouth brooding', ensures that even if the mother is not living, any eggs in the mouth have the potential to survive.

"Once established in a flowing river or creek, these fish are almost impossible to eradicate so it is important to stop the spread of tilapia now before it's too late."

Tilapia impact on native fish numbers by competing for habitat and food, behaving aggressively, disturbing aquatic vegetation and could potentially introduce disease and parasites.

DPI Fisheries and Biosecurity staff are working with local council to coordinate surveys of the surrounding areas to help inform potential management options for this invasive pest fish.

Sightings of Tilapia can be reported to DPI by:

* Phone: 02 4916 3877 (24 hour hotline)

* Online or via 

* Email

Top: Male and female Tilapea (photo Qld DAFF)

 A new agreement on environmental assessments for New South Wales

Joint media release - 15 December 2014: The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for the Environment, The Hon. Pru Goward MP, Minister for Planning

The Australian and New South Wales Governments has released for public comment an updated bilateral agreement on environmental assessments under national environment law.

The Australian Government is working with state and territory governments to streamline environmental regulation and develop a 'One-Stop Shop' for environmental assessment and approvals.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt said that this new enhanced agreement will replace the assessment bilateral agreement currently in place and would deliver a more efficient process and greater certainty for business while maintaining the highest standards of environmental protection.

"This revised agreement builds upon the streamlining benefits of the current agreement, and introduces additional efficiency measures for environmental regulation in New South Wales.

"It is concrete evidence that our governments are progressively delivering on our shared objective to provide efficient, thorough and transparent environmental regulation in NSW while minimising duplication.

"Under this agreement, NSW will be accredited to conduct a project assessment under national laws and provide the Australian Government with a recommendation on whether to approve a project and what conditions should be attached to that decision under federal environment law," said Minister Hunt.

NSW Minister for Planning, Pru Goward, said that New South Wales will provide the Australian Government with rigorous and robust advice under national environment law.

"This will include jointly seeking expert advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development for projects that are likely to have a significant impact on a water resource.

"Importantly, opportunities and timelines for the community to have a say about major developments are not proposed to change. This is about reducing needless hold-ups caused by two governments passing projects back and forth between them while they are being assessed.

"It means that projects in NSW will go through a single, NSW process, to ensure that high environmental standards are maintained."

A strong assurance framework ensures the best possible environmental protections remain in place including routine reporting, evaluation and review provisions, transparency and information sharing commitments and oversight of the agreement through a senior officers' committee.

Minister Goward said, “This new agreement reflects New South Wale’s determination to maximise the efficiency of the environmental assessment and approval process, and include a broader scope to ensure that more projects benefit from streamlined assessment.

"This agreement also recognises New South Wales' rigorous and transparent approach to determining offset requirements under its newly finalised NSW Biodiversity Offsets Policy for Major Projects."

The Australian Government remains committed to entering into approval bilateral agreements with all State and Territory Governments.

Approval bilateral agreements will ensure that only one decision is required for environmental approvals, accounting for both State matters and matters of national environmental significance.

This will further reduce the duplication of Federal and State planning processes which adds complexity, costs and delays to environmental approvals across the country.

Further information can be found atwww.environment.gov.au/topics/environment-protection/environment-assessments/bilateral-agreements

Deadline for comment: 5pm Monday 2 February 2015

 STUDY TO ASSESS SYDNEY MARINE REGION

Katrina Hodgkinson MP, Minister for Primary Industries Rob Stokes MP Minister for the Environment

MEDIA RELEASE - Monday 15 December 2014

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, and Minister for the Environment, Rob Stokes, today announced the commencement of a study to assess the greater Sydney marine region.

The study will involve a comprehensive assessment of the Hawkesbury Shelf bioregion, which extends from Newcastle to Wollongong and includes Sydney Harbour, Broken Bay, Botany Bay and Port Hacking.

Ms Hodgkinson said the assessment will be conducted in accordance with the NSW Government’s new approach for marine estate management, as recently demonstrated with the passage of the Marine Estate Management Bill 2014 through NSW Parliament.

“It is important we continue to work to achieve a balance of social, economic and ecological needs when considering our marine estate,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“Our approach is about committing to an evidence-based decision making process when it comes to the management of the marine estate, which considers social, economic and ecological impacts.

“There is no doubt that Sydney Harbour is an iconic and special place, but it is also a functional and working harbour.

“The project will be overseen by the Marine Estate Management Authority (the Authority) with input from the Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel, and will include consideration of the new approach as well as an assessment of threat and risks.”

The sites that will be monitored before a report to government in February 2016 are:

• Barrenjoey Head (existing aquatic reserve)

• Bronte-Coogee (existing aquatic reserve)

• Cape Banks (existing aquatic reserve)

• Chowder Bay (reference site)

• Long Reef (existing aquatic reserve)

• Narrabeen Head (existing aquatic reserve)

• North Harbour (existing aquatic reserve)

• North Harbour aquatic extension - Manly Wharf and Cove

• Magic Point Malabar (reference site)

• Wybung Head (reference site)

• Bouddi National Park Marine Extension (existing aquatic reserve)

Mr Stokes said monitoring and research at these priority sites will inform decision making about the creation of an integrated marine protected area along the metro coast by 2016.

“The NSW Government supports well located marine protected areas that improve marine biodiversity, enhance fish stocks and provide great recreational opportunities,” Mr Stokes said.

“This research will enable decisions about enhanced and integrated marine protection along the entire Hawkesbury Shelf Bioregion, including Sydney's harbour, estuaries and the metro coastline.

“Rather than making grand, empty promises about vast new marine parks with no detail, we believe that the creation of new marine protected areas that enjoy long term community support should be done from the ground up on the basis of scientific evidence and community engagement.”

Mr Stokes also announced that a report prepared for the NSW Government which collates existing information on the ecological assets, threats, and economic and social values of Sydney Harbour will provide background information into the study.

“The report by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science provides a good grounding for the Hawkesbury Shelf bioregion study to begin,” Mr Stokes said.

Further information can be found at www.marine.nsw.gov.au.

CC Cricket World Cup 2015

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is coming to Australia and New Zealand in February and March 2015.

 Boxing Day,  ca. 1880 at Brighton Beach, Victoria, courtesy National Library of Australia:http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an10608594-5

 10th Anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunamis

25 December 2014 - Prime Minister 

On 26 December 2004, a magnitude nine earthquake off northern Sumatra triggered one of the worst natural disasters in modern times.

The tsunamis that swept across the Indian Ocean caused massive loss of life and utter devastation.

More than 200,000 people died and over a million were left injured or homeless.

The thoughts and prayers of all Australians were with the people of our region that day, as news of the horrific events flashed around the world.

This 10th anniversary is a time to commemorate the lives that were lost.

This is also an opportunity to pay tribute to all that were involved in the search, rescue and rebuilding efforts.

In the aftermath of the tsunamis, Prime Minister John Howard said this catastrophe had brought the world closer together:

“It has been a brutal reminder of the force of nature but also of the inspiring capacity of mankind to ease the suffering of others in their hour of need.”

Ten years on, we remember that the worst of times can bring out the best in people, and that the bonds of friendship between the countries of the Indo-Pacific have never been stronger.

 In search of the origin of our brain

December 23, 2014 - While searching for the origin of our brain, biologists at Heidelberg University have gained new insights into the evolution of the central nervous system (CNS) and its highly developed biological structures. The researchers analysed neurogenesis at the molecular level in the model organism Nematostella vectensis. Using certain genes and signal factors, the team led by Prof. Dr. Thomas Holstein of the Centre for Organismal Studies demonstrated how the origin of nerve cell centralization can be traced back to the diffuse nerve net of simple and original lower animals like the sea anemone. The results of their research will be published in the journal "Nature Communications."

Like corals and jellyfish, the sea anemone -- Nematostella vectensis -- is a member of the Cnidaria family, which is over 700 million years old. It has a simple sack-like body, with no skeleton and just one body orifice. The nervous system of this original multicellular animal is organised in an elementary nerve net that is already capable of simple behaviour patterns. Researchers previously assumed that this net did not evidence centralization, that is, no local concentration of nerve cells. In the course of their research, however, the scientists discovered that the nerve net of the embryonic sea anemone is formed by a set of neuronal genes and signal factors that are also found in vertebrates.

According to Prof. Holstein, the origin of the first nerve cells depends on the Wnt signal pathway, named for its signal protein, Wnt. It plays a pivotal role in the orderly evolution of different types of animal cells. The Heidelberg researchers also uncovered an initial indication that another signal path is active in the neurogenesis of sea anemones -- the BMP pathway, which is instrumental for the centralization of nerve cells in vertebrates.

Named after the BMP signal protein, this pathway controls the evolution of various cell types depending on the protein concentration, similar to the Wnt pathway, but in a different direction. The BMP pathway runs at a right angle to the Wnt pathway, thereby creating an asymmetrical pattern of neuronal cell types in the widely diffuse neuronal net of the sea anemone. "This can be considered as the birth of centralization of the neuronal network on the path to the complex brains of vertebrates," underscores Prof. Holstein.

While the Wnt signal path triggers the formation of the primary body axis of all animals, from sponges to vertebrates, the BMP signal pathway is also involved in the formation of the secondary body axis (back and abdomen) in advanced vertebrates. "Our research results indicate that the origin of a central nervous system is closely linked to the evolution of the body axes," explains Prof. Holstein.

Hiroshi Watanabe, Anne Kuhn, Manami Fushiki, Kiyokazu Agata, Suat Özbek, Toshitaka Fujisawa, Thomas W. Holstein. Sequential actions of β-catenin and Bmp pattern the oral nerve net in Nematostella vectensis. Nature Communications, 2014; 5: 5536 DOI:10.1038/ncomms6536

 2014 ASP World Longboard Champion at Telo Island Lodge - MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2014

GoPro edit from Harley Ingleby's May 2014 run up to the Telo Island Lodge. 

 In 1951, Marilyn Monroe’s film studio wanted to prove that she would look good even in a Potato Sack Dress. This was the result.

 Manly Malarki ASRL Navy series short course Nth Cronulla20/12/14 by Nathan Perry

Published on Dec 22, 2014

Manly Malarki open womens surfboat.