Copy
View this email in your browser / Sign up to this newsletter

National Marine NRM News 

November 2021
Facebook
Twitter
Website
Instagram
In This Edition:
 

Featured
Wonboyn Mangrove Recovery
The mangroves in Wonboyn Lake on the NSW Far South Coast have struggled to recover post 2019-2020 bushfires. The unprecedented damage in the catchment from the bushfires has meant that impacts were not isolated to the land but have had a significant impact on the estuarine ecosystem too. 
OceanWatch and a team of volunteers, including local oyster farmers, were in Wonboyn over the weekend to establish long-term monitoring sites in areas where mangroves have been damaged. The volunteers are being trained by OceanWatch in Mangrove Watch methods of monitoring mangrove recovery post bushfires.
Mangroves are essential habitat for many aquatic animals, they provide protection from coastal erosion and improve water quality, therefore their recovery is crucial for the ongoing health of the estuarine ecosystem.
Through this program, OceanWatch is also monitoring mangroves in the Clyde and Moruya Rivers, which had similar impacts from the bushfires. OceanWatch will be in the Clyde River catchment this weekend, working with Budd Island Landcare, and a group of volunteers to set up monitoring sites.  If you are interested in getting involved contact: claudia@oceanwatch.org.au
 
Learn more about our bushfire recovery programs. 

This Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery project is supported by the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Program for Wildlife and their Habitat.

The OceanWatch Master Fisherman program involves formal training and assessment for professional fishers, and supplementary development of online fisher profiles to help demonstrate individual commitment to responsible fishing practices. 
The OceanWatch Master Fisherman program is continuing to raise the standard of responsible fishing in Australia. Recognised professional fishermen showcase the drive for sustainability and environmental awareness in the Australian seafood industry.

Learn more.
Ray Saunders

Ray Saunders is a proud indigenous professional fisher, based at Old Bar near Taree on the mid-north coast. Ray has been a professional fishermen since 1965 and is pleased to be recognised as an OceanWatch Master Fisherman. His fresh catch is available at the Wallis Lake Fishermen’s Coop.


Learn more
David Pye

David Pye is a professional fisherman that has been working at Iluka on the NSW North coast since 2007, endorsed in the NSW Estuary General and Ocean Hauling Fisheries. David responsibly and sustainably supplies local seafood for seafood consumers and is very proud to be recognised as an OceanWatch Master Fisherman

Learn more. 

Get Involved
Marine Muster 2021
Join us for the annual gathering of marine experts, the OceanWatch Marine Muster, where this year we will discuss the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: life below water. The event will be held on December 15th via Zoom 10.30-1.30.
We will take an in-depth look at the targets under goal 14, actions that are currently being undertaken to achieve these and think about how they may apply in your workplace.

Please RSVP by Friday 10th of December here. 
Have your say on lifejacket requirements
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is currently exploring practical options to increase lifejacket wear on certain domestic commercial vessels. 
AMSA has put together three possible options for lifejacket wear to increase safety. They are now asking for industry feedback to ensure the final regulations are relevant and practical
Feedback from industry will play an important role in helping AMSA develop a policy that is relevant and practical for the domestic commercial vessel industry.  
If, following the outcome of this consultation, it is decided that wearing a lifejacket should be mandatory, AMSA will consult with industry again on proposed changes to the national law regulatory framework in the first half of 2022.  
This initial consultation to gather input from industry will be open until 17 December 2021. 

Have your say here. 
Tide to Tip
It's the time of year that we begin to plan for our next set of Tide to Tip clean-up events. 
To date oyster farmer across 23 estuaries have joined together to removed over 22,000 kg of marine debris from our nations waterways! OceanWatch is looking to expand the event and involve more oyster farmers and communities across Australia for the 2022 events.
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in the clean-ups visit our website or contact: comms@oceanwatch.org.au

In The News
National Marine Science Plan 2015–2025: The Midway Point.
The National Marine Science Committee recently launched the National Marine Science Plan 2015–2025: The Midway Point.

The Midway Point is both a review of the National Marine Science Plan 2015–2025 and a renewed clarion call for the marine science community, industry and government to drive the blue economy’s development and fulfil its prosperity potential.

Read the report and its accompanying Stories from the blue economy here.
Researchers call for a global ocean oxygen database 
Researchers are calling for a global ocean oxygen database and atlas, which would be used to assess and predict deoxygenisation and ocean health.
Hypoxic events that occur when oxygen levels decrease in marine ecosystems, can be detrimental to marine life, often resulting in the death of animals and plants in the area. Large scale die-offs of fish and crustacea that result from these events are harmful to the marine ecosystem, and the industries that rely on them. The database will assist scientists in understanding and forecasting changing oxygen levels and trends in marine ecosystems. This knowledge can help decision-making and  help to ensure effective measures can be put in place to protect marine life from low oxygen events. 

Learn more. 
Ridley announces world-first innovation 
Earlier this month Ridley announced it has partnered with Mackay-based Australian Prawn Farms to successfully complete a commercial-scale trial of a breakthrough prawn diet that includes no marine resources.
Australian prawn farmers typically feed their prawns with a pellet that includes fish meal and fish oil to mimic their wild diet, but the global growth in aquaculture has increased demand for marine resources and created a need for additional alternative raw materials.
The feed, made from plant and animal raw materials, includes a unique microbial biomass ingredient called Novacq™. The results from the trial are a world first. The prawns grew at the same rate and to the same size as those on a traditional diet containing high levels of fish meal and oil.

Learn more. 

Grants, Awards and Opportunities 

Call for Abstracts 2022 National Landcare Conference

The call abstracts campaign is now open for the 2022 National Landcare Conference and will close on February 27, 2022. The theme is “The Power of Landcare | Shaping Our Future” which affirms the importance of looking to the future when addressing the issues and opportunities open to Landcare.

Learn more.
 

2022 AgUP Program Grants

The AgUP grant program provides grants to co-fund industry-led (agriculture, fisheries and forestry) initiatives aimed at supporting jobs and retaining the Australian workforce by building skills, establishing and enhancing career progression pathways and mentoring opportunities.
The grants will support initiatives that encourage the development of innovative approaches to career progression and support the retention and sustainability of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector workforce. Applications close 20th January 2022.

Learn more.

Future Drought Fund Grants

The Australian Government is inviting applications via an open process to apply for the Future Drought Fund: Drought Resilient Soils and Landscapes Grants Program. The Future Drought Fund (the Fund) provides a sustainable source of funding to help Australian farmers and agricultural-dependent communities and businesses become more prepared for and resilient to the impacts of drought.
From July 2020, $100 million is available each year from the Fund to invest in drought resilience programs. Applications close 11 January 2022.

Learn more.

2022 Litter Congress Submissions Open

Keep Australia Beautiful NSW is seeking proposals for the 2022 Litter Congress. Proposals can take the form of presentations, workshops, and more with recent case studies, research and projects on litter management and behaviour change relating to litter. The Litter Congress will be held at Aerial UTS Function Centre, Sydney on Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th April 2022, submissions close Wednesday 15th December.

Learn more.

Strengthening Rural Communities Program

Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.

This round, grants up to $10,000 are available through the Small & Vital Stream, and grants up to $25,000 are available through the Bushfire Recovery Stream.

Learn more.

Marine NRM Coastal Directory

The Marine NRM Coastal Directory is designed to connect people and skill sets reducing silos between disciplines. This free register, publicly available on the OceanWatch website, is an easy way to engage new colleagues and extend your network, helping to fuel the growth of Australia's blue-green innovations. Key information on Researchers, Natural Resource Management Agents, and Suppliers working in the marine environment, are now accessible in one place.

Create your account or search for others

Related Newsletters & Links

OceanWatch relies on donations to keep our vital community and industry work running. We are a registered charity, and  donations are tax deductible. A receipt for your donation will be provided when upon processing. Please give today to make a difference.

Click here to donate to OceanWatch today!
If you have any feedback or suggestions how we can improve this publication, please let us know. 
Email: comms@oceanwatch.org.au
Phone: (02) 9660 2262
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter
Website
Our Members & Shareholders
Our Core Funding:
Copyright © 2020 OceanWatch Australia, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
comms@oceanwatch.org.au

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

 






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
OceanWatch Australia · Locked Bag 247 · Pyrmont, New South Wales 2009 · Australia