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Seagrass-Watch HQ
From: Seagrass-Watch
HQ
[hq@seagrasswatch.org]
Sent:
Tuesday, 5 December 2006 8:07 PM
To: Seagrass-Watch
HQ
Subject: SEAGRASS-WATCH BULLETIN - 05 December 2006
SEAGRASS-WATCH BULLETIN
05 December 2006
Seagrass-Watch's electronic news service, providing marine and coastal news of international and national interest.
Seagrass-Watch welcomes feedback on the bulletins, and you are free to distribute it amongst your own networks.
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NEWS
Scientists: Seagrass Ecosystems at a 'Global Crisis'; Elevating Public Awareness 'Critical'
Dec 1, 2006 14:41 EST
An international team of scientists is calling for a targeted global conservation effort to preserve
seagrasses and their ecological services for the world's coastal ecosystems, according to an
article published in the December issue of Bioscience, the journal of the American Institute of
Biological Sciences (AIBS).
The article "A Global Crisis for Seagrass Ecosystems" cites the critical role seagrasses play in
coastal systems and how costal development, population growth and the resulting increase of
nutrient and sediment pollution have contributed to large-scale losses worldwide.
"Seagrasses are the coal mine canaries of coastal ecosystems," said co-author Dr. William
Dennison of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. "The fate of
seagrasses can provide resource managers advance signs of deteriorating ecological
conditions caused by poor water quality and pollution."
Among its findings, the study analyzed an apparent disconnect between the scientific
community's concerns over seagrass habitat and its coverage in the popular media......... more
http://www.seagrasswatch.org/news.html
5 December - International Volunteer Day (IVD)
From Samoa to Canada, millions of volunteers are celebrating International Volunteer Day, 5
8/07/2007
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December. To date, around 60 countries planned several activities to appreciate volunteers and
promote volunteerism in their communities -- from giving recognition to millions of volunteers
who provided disaster relief and ensured peaceful elections, to empowering disabled people in
Viet Nam and giving free medical treatment in Trinidad & Tobago.
IVD offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make visible
their contributions - at local, national and international levels - to the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals. Over the years, rallies, parades, community volunteering
projects, environmental awareness, free medical care and advocacy campaigns have all
featured prominently on IVD.
For more information visit http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/
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GALLERY
Cawaci (Fiji): 25 November 2006 http://www.seagrasswatch.org/gallery.html
"Had to abandon the monitoring on November 18th as the strong winds & current made it
impossible to do anything. Went out again on November 25th and were successful. The
weather was great women out fishing close to the sites!." Text: Nicolette Yoshida
Semakau (Singapore): 22 November 2006 http://www.seagrasswatch.org/gallery.html
"An amphibious landing on Semakau was achieved by the intrepid TeamSeagrass! With a very
obliging boatman at the helm, we managed to get off onto the seagrass meadows without
having to swim. In the desultory drizzle, the vast meadows of Semakau was quite romantic.
Semakau has magnificent reefs too. Despite the proximity of gigantic petrochemical plants, and
our landfill, Semakau's reefs are very much alive.." Text: Team Seagrass-Singapore
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FROM THE FIELD
Gordon Cottle (Local Coordinator for Great Sandy Strait, Queensland, Australia) Dec 3, 2006
Thrilled to report that Robyn and Hanne (with Paul's Boat) surveyed KC1 on Saturday and have
today walked to PN3, using boards to carry equipment. A wonderful effort ! The nett result is
that ALL sites have been surveyed since April. A well deserved break now until the Autumn
tides. Thank you to all, have a wonderful and enjoyable festive Season....
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FROM HQ
Seagrass Biology Giveaway http://www.seagrasswatch.org/shop.html#GIVE1
Seagrass-Watch HQ has several copies of "SEAGRASS BIOLOGY: Proceedings of an
International Workshop Rottnest Island, Western Australia 25-29 January 1996" to give away.
The 2 volume hardcover sets, originally AUS$80, have been kindly donated by Dr John
Kuo.The proceedings contain 49 peer reviewed scientific papers and 9 abstracts in the areas of
Reflections; Diversity; Molecular Genetics;Hydrodynamics; Production and Nutrient Dynamics;
Animal Interactions; Decline and Recovery; Monitoring and Management; and 8 colour plates. If
you would like a copy, send your request (including mailing details) to hq@seagrasswatch.org .
Seagrass-Watch News Issue 27
8/07/2007
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The latest newsletter from the Seagrass-Watch program is now available online
at http://www.seagrasswatch.org/newsletters.html . Hard copies available from Monday 11th
December.
Seagrass-Watch HQ in Fiji - January 2007
Scientists from Seagrass-Watch HQ will be in Fiji early January 2007 conducting monitoring
and training where required. If you would like to participate or require further information, please
contact hq@seagrasswatch.org .
Future sampling dates http://www.seagrasswatch.org/news.html#SAMPL
Please note: all sampling dates and times are provided by local coordinators and monitoring
groups. Seagrass-Watch HQ provides technical support and does not direct local on-ground
activities with the exception of Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan biological
monitoring (RWQPP).
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DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in this bulletin are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the
Queensland Government. All material in the Bulletin may be reprinted unless it has been sourced from an unidentified
publication whereby no reprint is authorised except by permission from the source publishers.
News articles posted as a free community service for the purposes of non-commercial education, research and study;
review and the reporting of news; and archived for reference of students and researchers as a 'fair dealing' activity under
Australian Copyright Law.
Seagrass-Watch is supported by the Marine & Tropical Scientific Research Facility (Department of Environment &
Heritage), the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), the Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (EPA), the
David & Lucile Packard Foundation and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries.
Seagrass-Watch Bulletin is compiled by Rudi Yoshida & Len McKenzie.
8/07/2007