DOCSLIB.ORG

Manta Rays Page 2

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Manta Rays Page 2 Spring 2020 VOLUME 21 Supporter Newsletter CREATURE FEATURE Manta Rays Page 2 Australian Humpback Dolphins Page 5 Limmen Bight Success Page 7 Nation Takes Plastics Action Page 9 With Thanks to YOU “Nets Out Now”, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast © Hype Digital © Hype Digital Gold Coast Burleigh Heads, Out Now”, “Nets Scalloped hammerhead Sharks hammerhead Sharks Scalloped On the Cover: Pinky & Friends; This page: Inspector Clouseau © Kristian Laine Photography (www.kristianlainephotography.com) Photography Clouseau © Kristian Laine This page: Inspector Pinky & Friends; On the Cover: Creature Feature Protecting amazing sea life thanks to you... Sharks & Rays Together we’re defending our sharks and rays… This is the only known pink manta ray in the world. Sharks and Rays Nets Out Majestic Manta Rays Thank You Now Manta rays are the largest rays in the world. Australia’s Unique Pink Manta Ray Did you know that rays are close cousins Shark Champions spell out “Nets Out These majestic sea creatures live in tropical, The pink manta ray, pictured on the cover of sharks? Now” with surfboards on the sand. subtropical and temperate ocean waters and above, is the only known pink manta ray Though their mouths and gills are located Following four whale entanglements - across our blue planet. in the world. on the underside of their bodies, rays have including a mother and her calf - at the There are two distinct species: the reef manta Reef mantas typically come in three colour the same cartilage skeletons as sharks and beginning of the whale migration season, our ray and the giant oceanic manta ray. Recent patterns: All-black, all-white, or black-and-white. share many of the same sensory features. Shark Champions alliance is calling on the Queensland government to remove shark nets. genetic evidence shows that they belong Fondly known as Inspector Clouseau (from the Australia is a shark and ray hotspot - home to the Devilray family ‘Mobulidae’. Mobula Pink Panther) this pink manta is rarely seen, to 322 different species. Australia’s rays are Nets are both ineffective at keeping bathers consists of eight species globally, five of which but known to cruise the tropical waters around particularly unique, with over two thirds of safe, and invisible curtains of death that call our Great Barrier Reef home. Lady Elliot Island in the Great Barrier Reef. our 125 species found nowhere else but in catch and drown treasured wildlife like our waters. turtles, dolphins and whales. “Manta” means blanket or cloak in Spanish, Scientists with Project Manta, an Australian describing their large, flat, diamond-shaped research group, suspect that the pink rosy Our unique sharks and rays around Marine scientists and campaigners led bodies. But these giants are no wet blankets complexion is a genetic mutation in the Australia are under threat from fishing, a phone blitz on Queensland MPs and – they perform stunning acrobatic displays pigment of its skin. lethal shark control, habitat loss and attracted media with our “Nets Out Now” of loop-de-loops in the water when feeding pollution. beach action, in a coordinated campaign on plumes of plankton. They also leap up Thank you to all of our Shark Champions calling on the Queensland Government to to 2 metres from the sea’s surface and fly Facts & Figures for supporting our work to fight for legal replace the nets at southern Queensland through the air for several seconds. beaches with drone surveillance and SMART COMMON NAME: Manta Rays protection for sharks and rays, especially Globally, manta rays are classified as for those fragile species most impacted. drumlines during whale migration season. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Mobula spp. vulnerable by the IUCN. Their greatest Visit sharkchampions.org.au today to We urge the Queensland Government to TYPE: Fish threat is overfishing. In Australia they are a help take action for our magnificent and do the right thing to allow whales to freely threatened species due to accidental capture DIET: Zooplankton and krill misunderstood sharks and rays. migrate through Queensland waters. in commercial gillnets and shark nets. AVERAGE LIFESPAN: up to 50 years *At time of printing this article a decision was pending with the government. SIZE: Wingspan up to 9 metres Aussie Battlers Watch: Stressed Out Sharks Fun Fact: IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Vulnerable Watch our new “Aussie Battlers” Manta rays have the largest brain- animated video to introduce our Did you know that sharks experience to-size ratio of any cold-blooded fish. little known, quirky and unique stress? Watch Dr Leonardo Guida’s Studies show that manta rays may Did You Know? threatened sharks and rays. We webinar about the shark stress response recognise themselves in the mirror - think you’ll fall in love with these to being caught and what this means an ability indicative of high cognitive All rays, including manta rays, stingrays wonderful characters just like for their survival, reproduction and function also shown by dolphins, and skates, are thought to have evolved we have. sustainable fisheries. primates and elephants! from sharks. Watch at amcs.org.au/AussieBattlers Watch at amcs.org.au/StressedSharks 2 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 3 Australian humpback dolphin, Moreton Bay Marine Park © Dolphin Research Australia Inc (www.dolphinresearchaustralia.org) Australia © Dolphin Research Bay Marine Park dolphin, Moreton humpback Australian Humpback whale © Vanessa Mignon Vanessa whale © Humpback Threatened Species Protecting our precious ocean wildlife… Whaling Nature Law Win Not Fit Australian Humpback Dolphin Good news for whales this year. Iceland Australia’s environment law is failing Everyone knows the iconic humpback whale – has cancelled their 2020 whaling season! our unique and precious wildlife and the but have you heard of a humpback dolphin? Facts & Figures Iceland is one of only three countries places we love. There are four recognised species of humpback COMMON NAME: Australian Humpback (including Norway and Japan) that still The Environment Protection and dolphins across the globe, including our very Dolphin practices commercial whaling, so this Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 own Australian humpback dolphin. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sousa sahulensis cancellation for a second year in a row is (EPBC Act) is undergoing a statutory Australian humpback dolphins are native to TYPE: Mammal not only great news, it is further evidence 10-year review, at the same time as Australia and Papua New Guinea. They are AVERAGE LIFESPAN: Unknown of the decline of the whaling industry. Australia faces an extinction crisis in our a northern Australian dolphin, with resident Iceland’s two whaling companies skipped oceans and on land. populations from Moreton Bay, Queensland SIZE: up 2.7 metres and 260-280kg the whale hunt this European summer, The interim report delivered in July was a to the tropical waters of Shark Bay, Western DIET: Fish, prawns, molluscs, crabs, with one stating that they were hanging up scathing assessment of the failure of our Australia. They prefer inshore waters less than 20 squids and octopus their harpoons for good. national law to protect and conserve our metres deep in estuarine and coastal regions. HABBITAT: Shallow estuarine and coastal Unfortunately the global fight is not over, environment. Despite their common name, Australian regions with Japan – the main market for whale It’s a chance for the Australian government humpback dolphins don’t have a distinctive IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Vulnerable meat consumption – withdrawing from the to turn our ship around and strengthen our hump on their backs like their relatives in the International Whaling Commission in 2019 most important environment law. Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific. and resuming commercial whaling in their But instead the government is focusing Humpback dolphins usually occur in small own waters for the first time in 31 years. on introducing legislation that devolves groups of 2-6 individuals. They have strong Fun Fact: AMCS continues to call on strong environmental assessment and approval mother and calf bonds, lasting up to four years. A rare hybrid between an Australian international pressure to protect whales powers to the states before the review is The Australian Humpback Dolphin is listed as humpback dolphin and an Australian from commercial whaling by Japan, Norway even complete. vulnerable in Queensland due to their small snubfin dolphin was recently and Iceland. population sizes and low population growth AMCS is a member of the Places You discovered in Western Australia. Love alliance. We will be working to rates, as well as habitat destruction and IWC 2020 improve environmental law in Australia incidental drowning in shark control programs to meet the challenges of the climate and and some fisheries. Did You Know? The International Whaling Commission extinction crises. Shark nets and commercial fishing such as (IWC) was due to meet in September 2020, gillnets pose a significant threat to dolphins. but due to COVID-19 restrictions has been These types of nets are invisible to dolphins, Australia has 15 species of dolphins and postponed for a year. Thank You which become entangled, trapped and one species of porpoise. They are all protected under law. Some of them, such Together we are a powerful voice for drowned. whales in Australian waters and on the Thank you for adding your support as bottlenose dolphins, are relatively international stage. Our work continues, to the review process this year – our It is increasingly reported that chemicals, plastic common but others are vulnerable fighting for sanctuaries for our whales and collective voice helps better protect our waste and bacterial pollution from sewage to extinction, such as our snubfin and against Japanese commercial whaling. threatened marine life. waste are also harming our beloved dolphins. Australian humpback dolphins. 4 Turning The Tide With Thanks to YOU 5 Waddling Gentoo Penguins © G Walker © G Penguins Gentoo Waddling NSW Seal, Narooma Fur Australian Marine Parks & Sanctuaries You are protecting special places..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Brochure Atlantic Forest Great Reserve
    Atlantic Forest Barra do Ararapira Paraná peak Rafting Mãe Catira River Mountain bike THE ATLANTIC FOREST: PROTECTED AREAS AND FULL NATURE MOUNTAINS AND FOREST A NATURAL AND CULTURAL SPECTACLE The Full Nature framework considers every year. In this view, new businesses The Atlantic Forest express its exuber- the existence of fruits to feed the fauna. The Atlantic Forest is one of the most diversity of wildlife, mountains, caves, the ecological integrity and the peace- have been established. However, not all ance in different landscapes: the pre- The rain is abundant, and thousands exuberant tropical forests in the world. waterfalls, bays, mangroves and beaches, ful coexistence between society and the activities take into consideration nature historic Araucaria Forest, mountains of rivers generated in the cradle of this Within its territory, this biome holds as well as local communities. It is up to natural environments as the basis for a conservation. Full Nature framework and rivers, the coastal plain and the sea. great forest carve the mountains and natural and cultural treasures, some of us to protect this treasure from the risk green and restorative economy, espe- was designed as a unifying cause to en- There are over15,000 species of plants give us beautiful waterfalls. A collection Brazil’s largest cities, and over 120 mil- of disappearance. cially in isolated and disadvantaged ru- sure that development is equitable and and more than 2,000 species of verte- of peaks and hills challenges the climb- lion inhabitants. Brazilian history was The economic development in this ral areas. Nature conservation should long lasting.
    [Show full text]
  • “Queen Without Land” (Polar Bears) Recommended for Grades 5-7
    Queen without Land “Queen without Land” (Polar Bears) Recommended for grades 5-7 Your class is going to watch the documentary “Queen without Land” on September 29, 2018. This folder contains some exercises that will help you prepare for it. Have fun! page 1 page 2 Queen without Land Wildlife films are sooooo boring...?! Here are why you should watch this film! The filmmaker Asgeir Helgestad follows a polar bear mother and her cubs. Who wouldn’t like to see cute animal babies playing in the snow? There are some scenes in which the filmmaker is filming himself while he uses his high-tech cameras and other cool equipment. It’s really fun to see how the film was made. The film is set on Svalbard, an island group between Norway and the North Pole. You’ll see how Asgeir Helgestad lives there, in the freezing cold. The filmmaker shows exactly how global warming changes the ice around the North Pole, the animals who live in the Arctic, and the plants that grow there. You’ll also learn what consequences global warming has for you personally. It’s an award-winning film. The film won the award for Best Environmental Film at the International Wildlife Film Festival. page 3 Documentary - a special genre Why should I learn something about documentaries? Soon, your class is going to watch “Queen without Land” (Polar Bears). Just like in any other type of film, such as action films or Youtube vlogs, the filmmakers use camera settings, music, and other things to tell a story.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Values and Resource Use in the Limmen Bight
    NATURAL VALUES AND RESOURCE USE IN THE LIMMEN BIGHT REGION © Australian Marine Conservation Society, January 2019 Australian Marine Conservation Society Phone: +61 (07) 3846 6777 Freecall: 1800 066 299 Email: [email protected] PO Box 5815 West End QLD 4101 Keep Top End Coasts Healthy Alliance Keep Top End Coasts Healthy is an alliance of environment groups including the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory. Authors: Chris Smyth and Joel Turner, Centre for Conservation Geography Printing: Printed on 100% recycled paper by IMAGE OFFSET, Darwin. Maps: Centre for Conservation Geography This report is an independent research paper prepared by the Centre for Conservation Geography commissioned by, and for the exclusive use of, the Keep Top End Coasts Healthy (KTECH) alliance. The report must only be used by KTECH, or with the explicit permission of KTECH. The matters covered in the report are those agreed to between KTECH and the authors. The report does not purport to consider exhaustively all values of the Limmen Bight region. The authors do not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation, compensatory, direct, indirect, or consequential damages and claims of third parties that may be caused directly or indirectly through the use of, reliance upon or interpretation of the contents of the report. Cover photos: Main - Limmen River. Photo: David Hancock Inset (L-R): Green Turtle, Recreational fishing is an important leisure activity in
    [Show full text]
  • Scientific Committee Sixteenth Regular Session
    SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE SIXTEENTH REGULAR SESSION ELECTRONIC MEETING 11{20 August 2020 Data review and potential assessment approaches for mobulids in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean WCPFC-SC16-2020/SA-IP-12 Laura Tremblay-Boyer1, Katrin Berkenbusch1 1Dragonfly Data Science, Wellington, New Zealand Data review and potential assessment approaches for mobulids in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean Report prepared for The Pacific Community Authors: Laura Tremblay-Boyer Katrin Berkenbusch PO Box 27535, Wellington 6141 New Zealand dragonfly.co.nz Cover Notes To be cited as: Tremblay-Boyer, Laura; Berkenbusch, Katrin (2020). Data review and potential assess- ment approaches for mobulids in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, 55 pages. Report prepared for The Pacific Community. Cover image: hps://www.flickr.com/photos/charleschandler/6126361915/ CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 1 INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 2 METHODS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 2.1 Summary of fishery data ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 2.2 Literature review of mobulid biology ----------------------------------------------------------- 12 2.3 Appraisal of potential assessment approaches ------------------------------------------ 12 3 RESULTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    [Show full text]
  • Project 4.13 Assessing the Gulf of Carpentaria Mangrove Dieback
    Project 4.13 Assessing the Gulf of Carpentaria Mangrove Dieback Project Summary In early 2016, extensive dieback of mangrove forests was recorded along the southern and western Gulf of Carpentaria coastline. Landsat analysis suggests that more than 8,000 hectares of mangrove forest suffered dieback over a relatively short and synchronous time period around November 2015 along a >2,000km wide front from Pormpuraaw in the east (Queensland) to Rose River in the west (Northern Territory). Initial field visits to a limited range of affected sites suggest that a relatively low percentage of trees have recovered and most are dying or dead. This is the largest event of natural dieback of mangroves ever recorded in the world. Problem Across the whole dieback area, there is not for any location, a current formal assessment of the condition of affected forests and what proportion are recovering. Of the affected forests, most are shoreline mangroves, whose death would leave the coastal shoreline exposed to erosion and storm surge effects which may cause even greater and more serious geomorphic and ecological disturbance to this coastline. Biodiversity is likely to have been significantly impacted. Recent field observations showed the epibiont communities that reside upon the trunks and aerial roots of the mangroves have been shed as these structures die and decay, and leaf litter supplies, an important source of food for fisheries production, has significantly decreased. How Research Addresses Problem This project will survey, describe and analyse the dieback across its range. Examination of the patterns of dieback will provide significant insights into the causative factors, what species are in what locations, and in what tidal elevations were species most impacted, and where it was most pronounced.
    [Show full text]
  • Feather Stars Page 2
    Autumn 2020 VOLUME 21 Supporter Newsletter CREATURE FEATURE Feather Stars Page 2 Imagine: Carbon Threatened Protecting Free Future Species: Sharks Ningaloo Page 4 Page 6-7 Page 12 With Thanks to YOU Humpback Whales Humpback On the cover: Feather star (Crinoid). This page: Feather Star, Coral Sea © Steve Parish. Sea © Steve Coral Star, This page: Feather (Crinoid). star Feather On the cover: Creature Feature Protecting amazing sea life thanks to you... Reflecting On Summer 2019/20 Together we fight for healthy oceans and planet… The ocean is our planet’s Feather stars life support system. are plant-like marine animals Crisis Southern Ocean Fabulous Feather Stars Summer Whales Win Feather stars look like feathery plants, but they Australia is uniquely vulnerable to the This summer was a historic time for the whales are in fact marine animals. impacts of global warming. of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. These creatures hide in plain sight among bright This past summer we have experienced For more than a century, whaling fleets have corals and anemones. extreme weather events across our beautiful hunted the Southern Oceans each summer, They get their name from their long branched country, which climate scientists have warned but now - at long last - Antarctic whales are arms, which have a feathery appearance. about for decades. While our land has free from the harpoons. Feather stars can have as many as 40 arms, been ravaged by fires and droughts, our Thanks to you, and whale lovers around our which they wave around catching small food oceans are suffering from escalating marine blue planet taking action, Japan’s whaling fleet particles that float by.
    [Show full text]
  • Elasmobranch Captures in the Fijian Pelagic Longline Fishery
    AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. (2016) Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2666 Elasmobranch captures in the Fijian pelagic longline fishery SUSANNA PIOVANOa,* and ERIC GILMANb aThe University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji bHawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, USA ABSTRACT 1. Pelagic longline fisheries for relatively fecund tuna and tuna-like species can have large adverse effects on incidentally caught species with low-fecundity, including elasmobranchs. 2. Analyses of observer programme data from the Fiji longline fishery from 2011 to 2014 were conducted to characterize the shark and ray catch composition and identify factors that significantly explained standardized catch rates. Catch data were fitted to generalized linear models to identify potentially significant explanatory variables. 3. With a nominal catch rate of 0.610 elasmobranchs per 1000 hooks, a total of 27 species of elasmobranchs were captured, 48% of which are categorized as Threatened under the IUCN Red List. Sharks and rays made up 2.4% and 1.4%, respectively, of total fish catch. Blue sharks and pelagic stingrays accounted for 51% and 99% of caught sharks and rays, respectively. 4. There was near elimination of ‘shark lines’, branchlines set at or near the sea surface via attachment directly to floats, after 2011. 5. Of caught elasmobranchs, 35% were finned, 11% had the entire carcass retained, and the remainder was released alive or discarded dead. Finning of elasmobranchs listed in CITES Appendix II was not observed in 2014. 6. There were significantly higher standardized shark and ray catch rates on narrower J-shaped hooks than on wider circle hooks.
    [Show full text]
  • Mobulid Rays) Are Slow-Growing, Large-Bodied Animals with Some Species Occurring in Small, Highly Fragmented Populations
    CMS/Sharks/MOS3/Inf.15e Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks Devil and Manta Ray Fact Sheet Manta birostris Manta alfredi Mobula mobular Mobula japanica Mobula thurstoni Mobula tarapacana Mobula eregoodootenkee Mobula kuhlii Mobula hypostoma Mobula rochebrunei Mobula munkiana 1 CMS/Sharks/MOS3/Inf.15e . Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Rajiformes Family: Rajiformes Manta alfredi – Reef Manta Ray Mobula mobular – Giant Devil Ray Mobula japanica – Spinetail Devil Ray Devil and Manta Rays Mobula thurstoni – Bentfin Devil Ray Raie manta & Raies Mobula Mobula tarapacana – Sicklefin Devil Ray Mantas & Rayas Mobula Mobula eregoodootenkee – Longhorned Pygmy Devil Ray Species: Mobula hypostoma – Atlantic Pygmy Devil Illustration: © Marc Dando Ray Mobula rochebrunei – Guinean Pygmy Devil Ray Mobula munkiana – Munk’s Pygmy Devil Ray Mobula kuhlii – Shortfin Devil Ray 1. BIOLOGY Devil and manta rays (family Mobulidae, the mobulid rays) are slow-growing, large-bodied animals with some species occurring in small, highly fragmented populations. Mobulid rays are pelagic, filter-feeders, with populations sparsely distributed across tropical and warm temperate oceans. Currently, nine species of devil ray (genus Mobula) and two species of manta ray (genus Manta) are recognized by CMS1. Mobulid rays have among the lowest fecundity of all elasmobranchs (1 young every 2-3 years), and a late age of maturity (up to 8 years), resulting in population growth rates among the lowest for elasmobranchs (Dulvy et al. 2014; Pardo et al 2016). 2. DISTRIBUTION The three largest-bodied species of Mobula (M. japanica, M. tarapacana, and M. thurstoni), and the oceanic manta (M. birostris) have circumglobal tropical and subtropical geographic ranges. The overlapping range distributions of mobulids, difficulty in differentiating between species, and lack of standardized reporting of fisheries data make it difficult to determine each species’ geographical extent.
    [Show full text]
  • Flood Watch Areas Arnhem Coastal Rivers Northern Territory River Basin No
    Flood Watch Areas Arnhem Coastal Rivers Northern Territory River Basin No. Blyth River 15 Buckingham River 17 East Alligator River 12 Goomadeer River 13 A r a f u r a S e a Goyder River 16 North West Coastal Rivers Liverpool River 14 T i m o r S e a River Basin No. Adelaide River 4 below Adelaide River Town Arnhem Croker Coastal Daly River above Douglas River 10 Melville Island Rivers Finniss River 2 Island Marchinbar Katherine River 11 Milikapiti ! Island Lower Daly River 9 1 Elcho ! Carpentaria Coastal Rivers Mary River 5 1 Island Bathurst Nguiu Maningrida Galiwinku River Basin No. Island 12 ! ! Moyle River 8 ! Nhulunbuy 13 Milingimbi ! Yirrkala ! Calvert River 31 South Alligator River 7 DARWIN ! ! Howard " Oenpelli Ramingining Groote Eylandt 23 Tiwi Islands 1 2 Island 17 North West 6 ! 14 Koolatong River 21 Jabiru Upper Adelaide River 3 Coastal 15 Batchelor 4 Limmen Bight River 27 Wildman River 6 Rivers ! 16 7 21 McArthur River 29 3 5 ! Bickerton Robinson River 30 Island Daly River ! Groote Roper River 25 ! ! Bonaparte Coastal Rivers Bonaparte 22 Alyangula Eylandt Rosie River 28 Pine 11 ! 9 Creek Angurugu River Basin No. Coastal 8 Towns River 26 ! ! Kalumburu Rivers Numbulwar Fitzmaurice River 18 ! Walker River 22 Katherine 25 Upper Victoria River 20 24 Ngukurr 23 Waterhouse River 24 18 ! Victoria River below Kalkarindji 19 10 Carpentaria G u l f 26 Coastal Rivers ! o f ! Wyndham Vanderlin C a r p e n t a r i a ! 28 Kununurra West Island Island 27 ! Borroloola 41 Mount 19 Barnett Mornington ! ! Dunmarra Island Warmun 30 (Turkey 32 Creek) ! 29 Bentinck 39 Island Kalkarindji 31 ! Elliott ! ! Karumba ! 20 ! Normanton Doomadgee Burketown Fitzroy ! Crossing Renner ! Halls Creek ! Springs ! ! Lajamanu 41 Larrawa ! Warrego Barkly ! 40 33 Homestead QLD ! Roadhouse Tennant ! Balgo Creek WA ! Hill Camooweal ! 34 Mount Isa Cloncurry ! ! ! Flood Watch Area No.
    [Show full text]
  • State of Hawaii DEPARTMENT of LAND and NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
    State of Hawaii DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 May 28, 2021 Chairperson and Members Board of Land and Natural Resources State of Hawaii Honolulu, Hawaiʻi Land Board Members: SUBJECT: Request approval to install a total of twenty-three new day-use mooring buoys at the Makako Bay and Kaukalaelae Point manta ray viewing sites in West Hawaiʻi; approval of an Anticipated Finding of No Significant Impact for the Draft Environmental Assessment applicable to the installation of the twenty-three mooring buoys; and delegation of authority to the Chairperson to make a final determination on the Draft Environmental Assessment. REMARKS: In the 2014 Legislative Session, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 170 urging the Department to manage the Kona manta ray viewing sites and address overcrowding, safety, and liability under existing statutes. DOBOR consulted with stakeholders, such as ocean tour providers and recreational ocean users, and devised a list of proposed rules and management measures for the sites, including the installation of additional moorings to increase safety. The arrangement of DMBs at the two sites will offset negative impacts of anchoring on coral reef habitat, minimize unsafe boating practices near participants in-water, and control crowding at the site by requiring use of a mooring to conduct tours. Thus, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) is requesting that the Board of Land and Natural Resources (Board) approve the installation of twenty-three (23) new day-use mooring buoys (DMBs) in Makako Bay and Kaukalaelae Point of North Kona in West Hawaiʻi.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Date 28/09/2021 05:31:59
    Dugong Status Report and Action Plans for Countries and Territories Item Type Report Authors Eros, C.; Hugues, J.; Penrose, H.; Marsh, H. Citation UNEP/DEWA/RS.02-1 Publisher UNEP Download date 28/09/2021 05:31:59 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/317 Figure 5.1 – The Palau region in relation to the Philippines and Indonesia. used to give dugong ribs to a carver who had died performed mainly at night from small boats powered with recently. Locally crafted jewellery from dugong ribs was outboard motors (>35hp). Most dugongs are harpooned on sale at a minimum of four stores in Koror in 1991. At after being chased. A hunter who used to dynamite least two of the retailers knew that this was illegal (Marsh dugongs (Brownell et al. 1981) claimed that he had et al. 1995). This practice had stopped by 1997 (Idechong ceased this practice in 1978. The hunters interviewed in & Smith pers comm. 1998). 1991 maintained that nets are never used to catch The major threat to dugongs in Palau is poaching. dugongs, although some of them knew that netting is an Although hunting is illegal, dugongs are still poached effective capture method. All the hunters were aware that regularly in the Koror area and along the western coast of killing dugongs is illegal. Their overwhelming motive for Babeldaob (Figure 5.2). The extent and nature of hunting hunting is that it is an exciting way to obtain meat. The was investigated by Brownell et al. (1981) and Marsh et illegality adds to the thrill.
    [Show full text]
  • Dear Marine Management Planning Team, I Work in the Natural Resource
    Dear Marine Management Planning team, I work in the natural resource management sector, and am a recreational diver who is very concerned about the management of Australia's marine environments. I believe the points made by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (below) warrant urgent consideration. 1. Reject the cut backs of Marine National Park ‘sanctuary’ IUCN II zoning (MNPZ) across the Network and call for the Turnbull Government to fully restore and increase the IUCN II zoning in Australia’s Marine Parks without delay. The Government’s independent Review recognised the extensive science and consultation that led to the creation of the 40 parks in 2012. However, the Turnbull Government’s draft management plans recommend reducing, relocating and in most cases completely removing the MNPZ protection over key habitats, particularly in the globally important Coral Sea. In the face of devastating coral bleaching, mangrove dieback and vanishing kelp forests, MNPZ coverage in Australia’s Marine Parks are even more important now than ever. 2. The marine park zoning must be science-based – the Government’s own Expert Science Panel found that marine parks declared in 2012 were the result of sound science and consultation. Further, leading scientists found that the 2012 network would need more marine sanctuary coverage, not less (eg: Barr and Possingham, Are outcomes matching policy commitments in Australian marine conservation planning? Marine Policy 42, 39-48 2013). 3. Partial protection zones are not a substitute for high level ‘sanctuary’ (Marine National Park / IUCNII) protection – claims by government that Habitat Protection (HPZs/yellow zones) are equal to Marine National Park zone (MNPZ/green zones) are false and misleading.
    [Show full text]