No. 38 Mar/Apr 2011 Special Reef Guardian Supplement

Farmers become Reef Guardians

Impacts from Cyclone Yasi

Ship's crew fined for short cut

Traditional Owners keep a close watch 1 Chairman's message

Queensland communities this outcome can be seen in and the the Reef Guardian Program, faced some extreme which is showcased in a weather during summer – special supplement in this flooding in central and edition of SeaRead. southern and Since it began in 2003, the participated in a GBRMPA Cover: Reef Guardian Farmer the crossing of cyclones Reef Guardian Program has training program to prevent Tony Ross Yasi, Anthony and Tasha. been an important vehicle for illegal activities in the Our hearts go out to the behaviour change in schools Marine Park. The workshop affected communities and and communities as they provided the opportunity for we wish them a speedy work to protect the Reef. the Indigenous community recovery. In this Today more than 200 to boost their skills in The Great Barrier Reef schools along the Great responding to and reporting Issue Marine Park Authority Barrier Reef catchment have suspected illegal activity, as (GBRMPA) has been taken up the challenge. We part of their sea country Cyclone Yasi 3 monitoring the impacts of also welcomed Bundaberg management. Traditional Regional Council to the Reef Reef Guardians awarded 4 the weather events on the Owners have a close Great Barrier Reef and Guardian Council program in Reef Guardian connection with the Reef supplement 5-8 recently announced the early March, which brings and have an important role Fishers keep an out 10 findings of an assessment the total number of Reef in ensuring it is protected for Coral internal clock 11 into the damage from Yasi. Guardian Councils to 13. the future. About 13 per cent of the What can I do? 12 Reef Guardian Schools and In October this year the Marine Park was exposed to Councils are helping to make Great Barrier Reef will cyclone Yasi's destructive a difference to the outlook of celebrate its 30th Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander winds. In immediate readers are advised that this the Reef through initiatives anniversary as a World response to the category publication may contain names and such as conserving water, Heritage Area. With the images of deceased persons. five cyclone, a team from rejuvenating habitats and Great Barrier Reef known GBRMPA and DISCLAIMER educating the globally for its rich diversity, While all efforts have been made to Queensland broader this is a timely reminder of verify facts, the Great Barrier Reef Parks and Marine Park Authority takes no GBRMPA has community. the importance to continue Wildlife Service responsibility for the accuracy of Help from working together to protect information supplied in SeaRead. conducted a been monitoring industry this natural wonder - so we rapid ISSN 1834-6774 the impacts of sectors is can celebrate it for another assessment of Copyright Commonwealth of also 30 years. 36 reefs in the the weather invaluable Please note that you are welcome to affected area to events on the and this year photocopy SeaRead. However, if the identify possible the Reef text is reproduced separately, it must damage. They not be altered and must Great Barrier Guardian acknowledge the Great Barrier Reef found that the Reef ... Program Marine Park Authority as the source. damage was expanded to Illustrations must not be reused separately without patchy, with include Reef permission. Please contact the some sections Guardian Fishers, Graziers Great Barrier Reef Marine Park remaining relatively Russell Reichelt Authority if in doubt. and Farmers. Together, Great Barrier Reef unharmed and other parts of these stewardship activities Marine Park Authority Great Barrier Reef the Reef suffering serious help to improve the quality of Marine Park Authority damage. water that enters the Reef, 2-68 Flinders Street PO Box 1379 The cumulative impacts of rebuild lost wetlands and Qld 4810 the flood plume and cyclone keep the Reef sustainable . are of concern and it is a This ultimately builds a Phone: (07) 4750 0700 Fax: (07) 4772 6093 timely reminder of the healthier Reef which helps it Email: [email protected] importance of building the to withstand extreme resilience of the Reef so it is weather events and other Reduce your ecological footprint by receiving SeaRead electronically! better able to cope with impacts of climate change. Send us your email address at severe weather events This community spirit is [email protected] or phone us under a changing climate. on (07) 4750 0700 also seen in the efforts of The vital role of community Traditional Owners in www.gbrmpa.gov.au members helping to achieve Yarrabah who recently

2 Cyclone Yasi impacts on the Great Barrier Reef Divers assess damage to the Great Barrier Reef after the crossing of assessed cyclone Yasi

Equipped with stinger suits, were the most seriously Innisfail and Bowen after waterproof paper and boats, a damaged. Coral has been cyclone Yasi. A $1.08 million boost from the Australian Government team of marine scientists dove broken, and torn from the reef "However, the research also will help the Great Barrier into the Great Barrier Reef's and tossed around. reported increased catch rates Reef Marine Park Authority waters recently to assess "Branching corals have of red throat emperor. Other assess the Reef in the potential damage to the Reef suffered the most, with the species that are expected to aftermath of this year's from cyclone Yasi. remnants being strewn across thrive due to improved floods and cyclone Yasi. The team, from the Great the seabed floor, while large breeding conditions include Barrier Reef Marine Park plate corals have been barramundi and mackerel. The funding is part of a broader package driving Authority (GBRMPA) and snapped off and dumped into "Cyclone Yasi tracked the recovery of Australia’s Queensland Parks and Wildlife deeper water. Some corals between the main tourism natural resources following Service, surveyed 36 reefs that are hundreds of years old sites in , Port Douglas these events. that were in the path of the have been tipped on their and the Whitsundays and we category five cyclone. sides." were very pleased to find that A number of activities GBRMPA's assessment GBRMPA will be monitoring those areas are still healthy are planned including coordinator Dr Paul Marshall the recovery of these reefs and thriving with marine life. assessing reef health, monitoring inshore flood said about 13 per cent of the closely as well as undertaking "For the time being, it is plume water quality, Great Barrier Reef, from further research into the important to remember while expanding monitoring Cairns to Townsville, was impact of the recent cyclones parts of the Reef in the path of programs, and socio- exposed to Yasi's destructive and floods on the Reef and the the cyclone have been economic research. winds of up to 285km per hour. industries and communities damaged, most of the Great "The good news is that the that rely on them. Barrier Reef remains damage to these reefs has "Research conducted by unaffected." build the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem been patchy," he said. James Cook University into The Great Barrier Reef to aid the recovery of the Reef "In some instances, the effects of , Outlook Report 2009 identified from climate-related events. neighbouring reefs and coral which tracked along the climate change, and its structures have remained Queensland coast in 2009, associated impacts, including A more detailed scientific relatively unharmed. These shows that coral trout can go increased frequency of severe assessment of the damage will surviving corals will help the off the bite following a cyclones, as one of the Reef's be released in the coming damaged areas to rebuild. cyclone," PAul said. greatest challenges. months. "The areas that faced wind "We have received similar In light of this, GBRMPA is gusts of up to 285km per hour reports from fishers between working with its partners to

3 Ship shortcut lands crew in hot water

Two crew from a Hong size of the Signe Bulker. Kong-based bulk carrier "In addition, the Capricorn- pleaded guilty and were Bunker Group is special and fined a total of $53,000 in the unique and was the first part Gladstone Magistrates Court of the Great Barrier Reef recently for entering a Marine Park to be declared restricted area in the Great and protected. It is also a Barrier Reef Marine Park. popular tourist site. The chief officer and third "There are 10 major trading officer were in charge of the ports along the Great Barrier 180 metre-long Signe Bulker Reef coast and the latest when it illegally entered an statistics show that over area in the Capricorn-Bunker 3500 ships operate in the Group of Islands on 18 Great Barrier Reef, making January this year. over 9700 voyages each The Great Barrier Reef year. Marine Park Act 1975 "Most routine shipping prohibits ships from entering activities have negligible some areas in the Marine consequences on the Marine Park including the cluster of Park. However, there is the islands that make up the potential for the incident to Capricorn-Bunker Group. have a serious impact on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Reef." Park Authority Chairman The Signe Bulker was Russell Reichelt said it was originally heading towards important that ships complied Lady Musgrave Island with the rules to ensure both before deviating through the the environment and their Capricorn-Bunker Group of industry was protected. Islands and transiting "The Great Barrier Reef is through the restricted area a multiple use Marine Park between 7am – 9am. It's a real rarity and shipping is a legitimate The Signe Bulker then use of the area, provided it is headed south-west to Did you know that coral The Great Barrier Reef carried out in accordance Gladstone, where it reefs make up only about Biodiversity Strategy 2011 with the rules and anchored and marine seven per cent of the Great will be released later this regulations," he said. authorities boarded the Barrier Reef? The Reef is year after public consultation. "This court result shows the vessel to interview the crew. in fact much more diverse The Biodiversity Strategy with a variety of habitats and importance of the rules in This joint investigation aims to guide and coordinate animals that make it a truly place to protect the Reef, involved the Great Barrier management actions for rare ecosystem. and highlights that there are Reef Marine Park Authority, conserving and managing real and serious Queensland Water Police An array of species from biodiversity in the Great consequences for breaking (Gladstone Office) and the crocodiles and seahorses Barrier Reef. the law. Australian Maritime Safety to coral and parrotfish live It has been developed in "The vessel's route took it Authority. in diverse places such response to the Great Barrier as seagrass meadows, through an array of sensitive The maximum penalty for Reef Outlook Report 2009, mangrove forests, deep habitats with hazards to crew for this type of offence which identified the need of water, coral cays and navigation, presenting a high is $110,000. an overarching framework level of risk to a vessel the sponge gardens. to coordinate management Conserving this diversity of actions to conserve and Ship groundings life is central to making sure manage biodiversity. the Reef remains one of the Since 2009 there have been nine incidents of ship groundings, healthiest and most resilient pollution or transiting through a protected area. ecosystems on the planet.

4 SUPPLEMENT

The Reef Guardian Program

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef Guardian social and environmental sustainability of fishing and Program is empowering communities to work together today farming businesses within for a healthier Reef tomorrow. the Great Barrier Reef catchment. The Great Barrier Reef's Reef Guardian Schools The program recognises ability to support species is kicked off in 2003 and today the positive environmental Voluntary environmental under pressure from a there are more than 230 activities being undertaken practices from primary range of impacts from schools in the Great Barrier by councils. producers and fishers that coastal development and Reef catchment that are go above and beyond Last year, the Australian declining water quality to a involved in the initiative. mandatory standards have Government changing climate, its biggest significant Teaching students to announced threat. benefits for the understand and appreciate funding for ... vehicle for Reef. While these issues fall the Reef and its connected GBRMPA to outside of GBRMPA's ecosystems is a key improve the behaviour change The Reef regulatory and legislative objective of the program. outlook of to encourage the Guardian influence, GBRMPA has Schools are taking action the Reef. Programs are developed a stewardship by participating in a range of This funding community to playing an program to help protect the activities from energy audits has enabled build the important role in Reef for the future. and creating worm farms to GBRMPA to encouraging The Reef Guardian waste management and expand the resilience of the communities, Program was launched as a adopting habitats. Reef Reef ... individuals and vehicle for behaviour Guardian businesses to In 2007, the Program Program to help build a change to encourage the expanded to involve community to build the include fishers and farmers healthy and resilient Marine councils. There are 13 while further investigating Park. resilience of the Reef so it councils along the Great will be better able to cope opportunities for Marine Park Barrier Reef coastline from tourism operators. with ongoing pressures. Bundaberg to Cooktown, The community-based and all of these councils are The Reef Guardian Reef Guardian Program now officially signed up to Farmers and Fishers pilot plays a critical role in the Reef Guardian Council programs were launched supporting the management Program. this year. The pilots of the Marine Park. recognise the economic,

5 Pressures from fishing Guardian Fishers Program climate. Impacts, including Reef include removing top-order recognises those voluntary increased frequency and predators such as sharks, actions that go beyond what is intensity of cyclones, are incidental catch of species of regulated. affecting important fish Guardian conservation concern, illegal For example, all Reef habitats, fish size, abundance, fishing or collecting, and the Guardian Fishers are using survival and distribution. As a accidental killing of non- emissions calculators to result, industries dependent on Fishers targeted species. measure and further reduce a healthy Reef could suffer. Stretching more than 2400 The Reef Guardian Fishers their carbon emissions to be The Reef Guardian Fishers kilometres in length, the Great Program recognises fishers more energy and cost efficient. Program recognises those Barrier Reef Marine Park is a who have innovative business While the Great Barrier Reef fishers who are helping to build multiple use area with operations that help to reduce needs the support of fishers, a the health of the Reef so it is commercial fishing contributing these pressures and work healthy reef ecosystem also better able to cope with climate strongly to the regional and toward a sustainable Reef for provides for a viable change impacts. national economy. the future. commercial fishing industry. GBRMPA will continue to While fishing was identified in While regulated activities for Positive action benefits fishing work with fishers and peak the Great Barrier Reef Outlook trawl fisheries include the use businesses. bodies to develop the Reef Report 2009 as ecologically of by-catch reduction devices In addition, fishers have Guardian Fishers program, as sustainable in the Marine Park, (BRDs), turtle excluder devices identified the need to adapt an important part of managing some fishing activities are (TEDs) and fishing in the their businesses to deal with the Reef for its long-term having impacts on the Reef. correct zones, the Reef impacts from a changing health. Reef Line pilot program case study With a number of reef line Non-stainless hooks, which swim properly and are easy including finding ways to fishers already leading with rust and break down quickly, targets for predators. maximise fuel efficiency. innovative practices, the Reef are also being used to ensure Reef Guardian Reef Line Robust fuel transfer Line Fishery has been hooks don't stay in the fish for Fishers are maximising the procedures between recognised in the initial Reef long periods of time and cause survival of fish with barotrauma motherships and dories are Guardian Fishers pilot harm. by using a needle to vent the undertaken to minimise the program. In cases where unwanted built up gas. chance of fuel spills and Reef line fishers, who target fish are caught, Reef Guardian Other fishers avoid fishing in reduces potential damage to coral trout species and red Reef Line Fishers are using deep water to minimise the Reef. throat emperor, are operating innovative approaches to barotraumas and are finding The GBRMPA hopes the Reef their businesses to ensure release them, which increase ways to return unwanted fish Guardian Fishers program will there are minimal impacts on the fish's chance of survival. as close to the Reef as encourage more fishers to the Great Barrier Reef. Barotrauma, which is a fatal possible. adopt such best environmental The fishery has reduced condition that causes the fish's All participants in the Reef practices. unwanted by-catch by using swim bladder to expand, Guardian Fishers program will view buckets to better target occurs when fish are rapidly use the online emissions their fish. They also use larger brought to the surface from calculator to help reduce their hooks to reduce the catch of deep water. If released in this greenhouse gas emissions, small unwanted fish. condition, these fish cannot

6 health of the soil with minimal use of fertilisers. Innovative practices include using trickle irrigation and minimising watering by adjusting to weather conditions and understanding what is needed for crops. Other initiatives include rotating crops or planting alternative crops in the off season, which keeps the soil rich naturally without the use of fertilisers. Many farmers are also restoring and rejuvenating habitats and wetlands in their surrounding area. This is a critical action in building the health and connectivity of the Great Barrier Reef and its supporting habitats. The Reef Guardian Farmers pilot program is Reef Guardian showcasing these positive land practices, which will further encourage other Farmers and Graziers farmers to follow their lead. The program is fostering Building the health of the positive difference in directly recognises practices that are information sharing that will Great Barrier Reef to cope improving the quality of making a positive difference help to improve both the with pressures from a water flowing in to the Reef to the Reef and its economic and environmental changing climate is the best catchment. This is improving supporting habitats. sustainability of the solution for its long-term the health of the Great Farmers are taking action agricultural industry while protection. Barrier Reef. to reduce their use of water, ensuring the sustainability of Action from agricultural The new Reef Guardian thereby the chance of farm the Great Barrier Reef industries, including farmers Farmers pilot program, run-off. They've also Marine Park. and graziers, is making a launched in March this year, adopted ways to improve the Reef Guardian Farmers case study

Tony and Marjorie Ross are Tony and Marjorie's Controlled traffic farming farm is also managed by the cane farmers by trade but voluntary initiatives over the makes a dramatic difference use of electronic soil mapping Reef Guardian Farmers by last 20 years have directly in reducing soil compaction, to provide accurate data on nature. addressed these critical which helps improve the soil nutrients when planting. In 2011 the Great Barrier issues. health of the soil and In addition to their current Reef Marine Park Authority Basic management minimises fuel use. work, Tony and Marjorie have recognised Tony and adaptations to their Mackay Tony and Marjorie also plans to trial organic fertilisers Marjorie as one of their first cane farm have reduced the keep a grassy cover over on a five hectare section of the Reef Guardian Farmers for amount of sediment and headlands and drains to filter farm and compare the cane their exceptional nutrients that run-off the run-off and reduce chemical yields with conventionally environmental practices in farm. and fertiliser movement off- fertilised crops. agriculture. They have worked to farm. While this management Water quality from rebuild the health of the land In a step to reduce fertiliser approach already makes catchment run-off has been starting with controlled traffic and water use, weather significant improvements on identified as one of the farming, which is a simple forecasting tools are used to the health of the Reef, the priority issues reducing the approach that controls and help determine optimal times Ross family plans to continue resilience of the Great minimises machinery used for spraying or fertilising. to develop more innovative Barrier Reef. on the farm. The Ross family's Mackay environmental practices for the future.

7 Reef Guardian Schools

More than 60,000 school students from the Torres Strait to Gympie are taking a lead role in caring for the Great Barrier Reef. The Reef Guardian Schools program provides students, teachers and their communities with an opportunity to make positive changes for the environment in the face of emerging threats to the Reef. the Great Barrier Reef and involved and to undertake Great Barrier Reef catchment. Schools are recognising they schools are acting to address local projects that are can be part of the solution and The Reef Guardian Schools this. beneficial to building the program has engaged 230 participate in building the health of the Reef. health of the Reef through Trinity Anglican School has Queensland schools, mostly habitat rehabilitation, water restored Sawpit Gully to Gordonvale State School has primary schools, and is now quality initiatives and waste improve the water that flows focused on a community focusing on increasing minimisation. into the Reef. As part of the approach to sustainability in secondary school participation. ongoing restoration project the catchment care by developing Reef Guardian Schools are Some Reef Guardian Schools students are continuing to a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle are focusing their only found within the Great stabilise the site that has also and Rethink program. Barrier Reef catchment but we environmental efforts on became a wildlife corridor. reducing their ecological While developing strong can all do something to protect footprint to help reduce impacts A growing number of Reef partnerships as a part of their the Reef – no matter where from a changing climate. Guardian Schools are initiative, the school you live. It could be as simple influencing their local rehabilitated a local creek to as flicking off a switch. Water quality is another major communities to become improve the connectivity of the issue inhibiting the health of

by aligning their environmental of the Healthy Water Ways In a waste management Reef efforts with the key risks Alliance. The group is lobbying initiative, Cook Shire Council identified in the Great Barrier for Water Sensitive Urban has turned their landfill sites Reef Outlook Report 2009, Design funding and taking into into transfer stations where all Guardian including declining water consideration the lessons materials collected by the quality and climate change. learnt from a similar process in council and the community are Councils To reflect these issues, a South East Queensland. recycled or reused. Actions from Reef Guardian focus on five priorities has Townsville City Council are The 13 Reef Guardian Councils are addressing been established: water already upgrading their GIS Councils along the Great primary issues affecting the management, waste database to include Barrier Reef coastline are health of the Reef. management, land recommended sites for working towards building the management, community improvements to infrastructure resilience of the Reef to better The Reef Guardian Councils education and climate change. including measures such as cope with stresses in a program recognises the fish ladders or water sensitive changing climate. importance of local Mackay Regional Council designs when upgrading government's role in helping to has taken action to effectively existing sites. protect the Great Barrier Reef manage local land by adopting through environmentally eight beach management sustainable practices. plans. The move will protect, restore and enhance some of GBRMPA is supporting Reef the region’s most significant Guardian Councils to assets. incorporate practices into day- to-day operations that are The initiative provides a helping to build the health of strategic master plan for the Reef. Councils are also coastal management in the developing key partnerships region and identifies site- and educating the wider specific priorities and actions community. for each beach. Reef Guardian Councils took In north Queensland, another step forward in 2010 Townsville City Council is part

8 Briefs Coastal councils meet to protect the Reef Mayors and senior staff from councils along the Great Barrier Reef coastline recently met in Cairns to help shape the direction of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef Guardian Council program. The Reef Guardian Council Steering Committee meeting was hosted by the Cairns Regional Council and covered a range of topics including coastal ecosystems and their value to the communities and broader environment.

More eyes and ears Reef HQ Aquarium makeover keeping watch over the Reef HQ Aquarium is undergoing a makeover from the top with the Aquarium's Reef first floor to be transformed to include more displays, and how Native Title managing sea country," amenities and a conference More than 20 Traditional room. Owners converged on legislation operates with Yidinji Traditional Owner The project will see Reef HQ Yarrabah recently to learn Marine Park legislation. Vince Mundraby said. become one of Townsville's how to aid the fight against "Traditional Owners and "These partnerships are prime conference and function illegal activities in the Great Indigenous communities have part of a longer transitional centres, with the quirky twist Barrier Reef Marine Park. a close connection with the plan to ensure the of having guests wander The two-day "Eyes and Reef and are important sustainability of this region's around on top of a living coral Ears – Better Witness" stakeholders in ensuring it is resources for future reef ecosystem. training workshop run by the protected for the future. generations, and we support The upgrade will also include the addition of new display Great Barrier Reef Marine "This workshop is a the rights and responsibilities tanks, and the introduction of Park Authority (GBRMPA) culmination of two years of of the custodians," Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council extra interactive opportunities boosted the participants' planning and development by and new education programs. skills in responding to and Traditional Owners, CEO Leon Yeatman said. reporting suspected illegal Indigenous stakeholders, The workshops were activity. GBRMPA and a number of delivered by GBRMPA Local school scoops GBRMPA Compliance Field other government agencies." through the Australian up award Operations Coordinator Government's Caring for Our Mandingalbay-Yidinji Gordonvale State School was Shaun Skerritt said the Traditional Owners attended Country Reef Rescue Indigenous Land and Sea recently awarded the workshop met a desire by the workshop in Yarrabah. inaugural Virginia Chadwick Traditional Owners and the Attendees included already Country Partnership Memorial Foundation's Award wider Indigenous community established Indigenous Program. for Environmental Excellence to prevent illegal activities. Rangers and community The workshops represent for outstanding environmental "The attendance and members interested in sea one of three types of training achievements. enthusiasm of participants country management. packages GBRMPA The Virginia Chadwick Memorial Foundation is a means we've increased our There was widespread developed to address non-profit organisation, network of eyes and ears to support for the workshop and specific issues identified by Traditional Owners. All three founded in memory of the late assist with Marine Park its aims. Hon. Dr Virginia Chadwick management and training packages will "This compliance training who was the former Chairman compliance," he said. continue to be rolled out demonstrates a commitment of the Great Barrier Reef during 2011. "The workshop covered to developing a serious Marine Park Authority. Marine Park compliance, partnership with the GBRMPA resources available to aid and other government their work, zoning legislation agencies with the aim of

9 Fishers keep an eye out

With more than 1500 Queensland are working informing the management also gain information of great commercial fishing boats off together to encourage of their fisheries and for use to their business. the coast of Queensland, the commercial fishers to report identifying practical solutions "Information from fishers chance of fishers interacting incidents, benefiting all for minimising interactions about when and where they with a species of parties involved. with these species. see herds of dugong could conservation interest is high. GBRMPA Ecosystem, "Without this data from allow development of While it is difficult to escape Conservation and commercial fishers it is regional management the risk of accidentally Sustainable Use Manager difficult to develop effective approaches to restrict fishing catching or harming these Mark Read said commercial management responses." to certain areas and species, such as dugong and fishers play a crucial role in If an animal of conservation minimise the chances of marine turtles, the number of understanding and managing interest is caught in a net catching dugong," he said. fishers who actually report species. and is reported, the catch is "It would be in the fishers' incidents is extremely low. "Commercial fishers spend not illegal. However failure to interest to avoid these herds The Great Barrier Reef their lives on the water, report could result in legal because with dugongs Marine Park Authority observing the seasons, the consequences. weighing up to 400kg it could (GBRMPA), Queensland habitats they fish in and the Mark said although result in damage to the net Seafood Industry Association animals they encounter," reporting incidents was and loss of fishing time, all of (QSIA), the Department of Mark said. extremely beneficial in the which has an impact on the Environment and Resource "This information is management of species, fisher and the environment." Management and Fisheries incredibly valuable for commercial fishers would GBMRPA is also recognising best environmental practices from commercial fishers within the Turtle Hospital sends off Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. another six The Reef Guardian Fishers Six former patients of the Reef HQ Turtle pilot program encourages Hospital were released back into the wild and recognises those fishers recently, including 150kg marine turtle Raylene and business who take who had to be carried to the water in a harness. further steps to help improve the resilience of the Great The 50-year-old turtle was released back into Barrier Reef and fish the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park after she sustainably. was rehabilitated from floating syndrome. To report a stranded, sick Raylene was among six turtles that were or dead marine animal released, the biggest mass release from the please call 13 QGOV Turtle Hospital to date. (13 74 68).

10 Briefs Torres survives Yasi Former patient of the Reef HQ Aquarium Turtle Hospital, Torres the green turtle, was in the path of cyclone Yasi about a day before it crossed. As cyclone Yasi approached the Queensland coast in February, Torres, who was installed with a satellite tracking device on his release in 2010, escaped the destructive winds and headed north toward Cairns. You can track Torres' journey at www.seaturtle.org/tracking.

Reef Guardians awarded Reef Guardian Schools across the Great Barrier Reef catchment were rewarded with grants to continue their innovative environmental work they intend to undertake Coral internal clock in 2011. The grants of $500 were given to 20 Reef Guardian just keeps on ticking schools as a part of the Reef Guardian Schools Ripples of Change Awards, providing an According to new research, corals use circadian rhythms making enzymes to help opportunity for the schools to when it comes to telling the to dictate their feeding and them struggle through this undertake small time corals trump humans. breeding and to manage period. environmental projects within While many humans are their symbiotic relationship "What they do is their schools. adrift without a wristwatch, with algae. automatically make a whole research has shown how The study included taking swag of "emergency corals' internal samples response" proteins known as Bundaberg joins the clocks tick every four chaperones – molecules that Reef Guardian Program reliably even ... this ability hours under mop up the damage that Bundaberg Regional Council when they are to tell the time conditions of corals sustain every day," showed its commitment to no longer normal light/ David said. protecting the Great Barrier stimulated by appears hard- dark and When sunlight returned, Reef by partnering with the external signals total algae powered up again and Great Barrier Reef Marine wired into Park Authority (GBRMPA) to like the sunlight darkness. returned to their domestic and the moon. From this the officially become a Reef corals. duties of nourishing the Guardian Council in March. ARC Centre of researchers coral. discovered GBRMPA Chairman Dr Excellence for "Both systems are corals were running two Russell Reichelt said the Coral Reef Studies necessary to the survival of separate circadian systems Great Barrier Reef faced (CoECRS) and James Cook the symbiotic marriage of the in parallel. increasing pressures and University Professor David coral animal with a local government Miller said this ability to tell During the day, corals completely different life form, commitment to initiatives like the time appears hard-wired supporting symbiotic algae a plant," he said. Reef Guardian Councils into corals. nourish the coral. However helped to ensure the Reef "It's a fresh example of the when night falls the algae was well placed to meet the "It is something they have marvelous complexity and reverses this partnership and challenges ahead. learned to do automatically – interplay that takes place in turns to suffocate the coral probably because it was a the partnership, where both Presently, there are 13 Reef and rob it of precious oxygen Guardian Councils involved matter of life or death," he have evolved sets of genes for its own survival. in the GBRMPA program. said. that enable them to survive The study, conducted at the The research found coral with the other's quirks." CoECRS, investigated how responded to this threat by

11 Calendar of What can I do? events 2011 Smarty pants While a changing climate • Choose energy efficient Remember the more energy 18-22 April is increasing products you use, the higher our 18 World Heritage Day temperatures on its own, • Turn off electrical devices, temperatures get, and when it 14 - 20 Australian World we need to try slow it such as televisions, at the gets too hot our turtles, Heritage Week down by reducing our wall seabirds, coral and other reef greenhouse gas creatures can't cope – so flick 22 Earth Day • Turn off lights around the emissions. How? the switch! house May By keeping our energy 8 - 9 World Migratory use to a minimum through • Use less hot water Bird Day turning off lights, • Dry your clothes on the 9 National Volunteer appliances, air- clothes line, not in the Week conditioners – whatever dryer 9 - 11 OZ´ Water Week 2011 you can! 18 International • Heat and cool your house Museum Day • Buy an energy-efficient efficiently 20 Walk Safely to School water heater • Cool your home by Day • Switch to ‘green’ 22 International Day for allowing the breeze to flow electricity produced from Biological Diversity in, instead of using the 23 World Turtle Day renewable sources air-conditioner 26 National Sorry Day • Use energy efficient lights • Spread the word to others 27 National Reconciliation Week

Creature feature

Sawfish of the Great Barrier Reef Four of the world's seven species of sawfish are known to be found in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and joining coastal, estuarine or inland waters. While their name suggests The freshwater sawfish Studies of the green sawfish The narrow sawfish they are a fish, the species is have found an apparent One of the ways sawfish can The narrow sawfish can be in fact in the sharks and rays preference for shallow inshore be identified is by the number found in northern Australian family. It is their distinctive waters as nursery areas. of teeth on the saw. The inshore waters to a depth of crosscut saw-looking freshwater sawfish can grow to The green sawfish isn’t an around 40m and probably extension that gives them the around six metres in length ambush predator, as other spends a lot of its time on or sawfish name. and has less than 20 teeth on sawfish can be, but actively near the sea floor. This extension or rostrum is either side of its saw. pursues schools of baitfish very sensitive and is used by and prawns. Juveniles and young adults sawfish in defence or to dig spend most of their time in for prey. They can even use rivers and estuaries, while the it to stun their prey – making larger more mature animals it an easy meal. tend to be found in coastal and Generally sawfish are slow offshore waters. They eat fish, growers, take many years to molluscs and crustaceans. reach sexual maturity, are long-lived and produce few The dwarf sawfish young. These traits make Despite its name, the dwarf sawfish populations sawfish can grow to over three vulnerable to the pressures metres in length. Across they are under. northern Australia they are All four species of sawfish in restricted to brackish and the Marine Park are saltwater. They mostly eat protected and it is illegal to prawns and fish. keep them if they are caught. The green sawfish The International Union for the Conservation of Nature The green sawfish is generally and Natural Resources Red not found in freshwater but List of Threatened Species prefers coastal and inshore lists all four species as environments, including critically endangered globally. estuaries and river mouths.

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