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Seagrass-Watch HQ
From: Seagrass-Watch
HQ
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Sent:
Sunday, 17 December 2006 5:06 PM
To: Seagrass-Watch
HQ
Subject: SEAGRASS-WATCH BULLETIN - 17 December 2006
SEAGRASS-WATCH BULLETIN
17 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
State of the Environment 2006 Released (Australia)
Dec 6, 2006
The third national State of the Environment report has been tabled in Australian Parliament,
with the results showing that many of environmental issues that face Australia have intensified
since the last SoE report in 2001.
The report tracks changes in a range of areas including atmosphere, biodiversity, human
settlements, inland waters, coasts and oceans, natural and cultural heritage and the Australian
Antarctic Territory.
Among the key concerns raised in the report the cumulative impacts of increasing populations
on Australia's coastline; the need for continued waste reduction and recycling efforts; the poor
condition of land, inland waters and coastal lakes in some parts of Australia; pressures on some
of our fisheries; and adapting to the impacts of climate change. Many of these issues have
intensified since the last report, placing significant pressures on the overall environment...more
http://www.seagrasswatch.org/news.html
Queensland students work to protect Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
December 2006
Congratulations to Belgian Gardens State School who recently won the Reef Guardian Schools
Sea `Stars' Award for youth directed and owned activities, which included assisting Seagrass-
Watch monitoring at Rowes Bay.
The Reef Guardian Schools programme is an education initiative of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority that develops partnerships between students and their communities to
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work towards protecting their environment and the Great Barrier Reef.
The awards are designed to acknowledge the outstanding efforts and achievements of schools,
in a variety of environmental categories. This year thirty-two schools have been recognised for
their outstanding commitment to Reef Guardianship and will share in $20 000 in prizes...more
http://www.seagrasswatch.org/news.html
Foundations for Seagrass Education Centre closer (China)
December 16, 2006
On December 6th, 2006, a ground survey for the Hepu Seagrass Demonstration Site
educational base was carried out. This project was conducted by the fundamental
reconnaissance project company of Guangxi. Five 20 meters depth holes were drilled of which
4 were located at the circumference and 1 in the middle. The geological report will be sent to
the management station of Hepu National Reserves for Dugong dugon. Pending a favourable
report, construction of the Seagrass Education Centre will begin as soon as possible....more
http://seagrass.scsio.ac.cn/
Protecting China's Yellow Sea (Haikou, China)
December 13, 2006
In an attempt to protect the Yellow Sea's rich biodiversity from pollution, WWF is pushing for a
joint marine protected area in the shared waters between China and the Republic of Korea.
The Yellow Sea, one of the largest shallow areas of continental shelf in the world, is home to a
diverse range of species, including dugongs, gray whales, marine turtles and rich fish life.
The call for the establishment of a network of protected areas came at recent meeting of the
East Asian Seas Congress, where WWF disclosed a map of potential priority areas for
biodiversity conservation in the Yellow Sea Ecoregion. A total of 23 priority areas have been
identified by scientists from China, Korea, as well as Japan, after an extensive assessment of
the marine habitat was conducted.
The Yellow Sea is one of WWF's Global 200 Ecoregions, a science-based global ranking of the
Earth's most biologically outstanding terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats. It provides a
critical blueprint for biodiversity conservation at a global scale. The Yellow Sea Ecoregion
encompasses the Baihai Sea, the Yellow Sea and the northern part of the East China Sea up to
a depth of 200m..... more http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/index.cfm?
uNewsID=89600
Campbell rewards 'grass roots' Coastal Custodians (Australia)
December 7, 2006
The Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, today announced the
fifth annual Award for Coastal Custodians. Senator Campbell said the award aims to foster
community partnerships to encourage a culture of coastal and marine custodianship.
"I am pleased to announce the recipient of this year's award as Dr Tim Ealey," Senator
Campbell said. "Dr Ealey developed a method to mass-cultivate environmentally friendly
seagrasses and mangroves in Westernport Bay in Victoria.
"Dr Ealey's work is `grass roots' in every sense of the term. He identified an environmental
problem then persevered until he found a solution, enlisting an army of volunteers to help him
along the way...
Senator Campbell also announced high commendations to: - Dhimmuru Land Management
Aboriginal Corporation, of the Northern Territory, for its Dhimmuru Sea Country Plan; - South
Australia's Kangaroo Island School, for its comprehensive programme of marine environmental
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education; - Western Australian marine scientist Brad Norman, for his method of identifying
whale sharks and tracking their movements; -The Coastal Ambassadors Programme of
Pittwater Council's Coastal Environment Centre (NSW), for bringing awareness of coastal
environment issues to surf lifesavers; and Michael Norman, of Sorrento, WA, for the clean-up
and revegation of his local coastal area...
more http://www.deh.gov.au/minister/env/2006/mr07dec06.html
Scientists working on ways to grow eelgrass; 'These things are hard to propagate' (Delaware,
USA)
University of Delaware 5:49 p.m., Dec. 11, 2006
Before disease decimated it years ago, eelgrass thrived around the globe in estuaries like
Delaware's Inland Bays. The sea-dwelling plant provides food and habitat for crabs, fish and
waterfowl. It improves water quality by removing excess nutrients from the water and stabilizes
the bay bottom as its long, ribbon-like leaves trap floating particles of sediment.
Environmental managers would like to get their hands on more eelgrass for bay restoration
projects. But it's not as easy as going out and buying a bag of grass seed or a flat of plants at
your local garden center. At least not yet......more
http://www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2007/dec/grass121106.html
Sea plants inspire green energy (Australia)
Nov 2006
Researchers in Australia are looking to sea plants as inspiration for ways of extracting energy
from ocean waves and tides.
Dr Tim Finnigan at the University of Sydney has formed a company, BioPower Systems, to
commercialise the technologies. The wave energy conversion system is called bioWAVETM and
is based on the swaying motion of sea plants in the presence of ocean waves.
The bioWAVETM is the only wave energy system that captures a wide swath of incident wave
energy without using a large rigid structure. It is also the only such device that absorbs energy
over the full water depth and continually self-orients with the wave direction. In extreme wave
conditions, including hurricanes, the bioWAVETM is automatically triggered to cease operating
and assume a safe position lying flat against the
seabed...more http://www.biopowersystems.com/
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FROM THE FIELD
TeamSeagrass (Singapore) Dec 13, 2006
To kick start Seagrass-Watch Singapore and TeamSeagrass, we are planning Indoor
Orientation followed by Field Orientation sessions in January 2007.
You must attended an Indoor Orientation session (13 or 19 Jan 07) before attending the Field
Orientation (20 Jan (Chek Jawa), 21 Jan (Pulau Sekudu)). This is for your safety. This is to
prepare for Real Watch sessions when the super low tides start in Mar 07!
For more inforamtion or on how to sign up, visit http://teamseagrass.blogspot.com/
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PUBLICATIONS
Seagrasses: Pohnpei Island & Ahnd Atoll (Micronesia)
Len McKenzie and Michael Rasheed
8/07/2007
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From 26 October 3 November 2005, scientists from Seagrass-Watch conducted the first
detailed survey of seagrass resources surrounding Pohnpei Island and Ahnd Atoll, Pohnpei
State, Federated States of Micronesia.
4,400 hectares of seagrass were mapped in the intertidal and shallow subtidal waters
surrounding Pohnpei Island & Ahnd Atoll. Three species of seagrass (Cymodocea rotundata,
Enhalus acoroides and Thalassia hemprichii) and 21 seagrass meadow community types were
identified.
Seagrass distribution appeared to be primarily influenced by the degree of wave action
(exposure), water clarity and nutrient availability. Pohnpei's seagrass habitats can be generally
categorised into six habitats: estuary, sheltered fringing reef, exposed fringing reef, patch reef,
barrier reef and atoll.
The seagrass assessment provided important information on the status of Pohnpei's marine
environment and will help the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP) improve the effectiveness
of its MPA network (see http://www.serehd.org/html/marine.html).
To access the report, please go to http://www.seagrasswatch.org/publications.html
Solomon Islands REA
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy's Melanesia Program recently announce that the Solomon Islands
Marine Assessment Report is now available on their Pacific Island Countries Publications
website on ConserveOnline.
Scientists from Seagrass-Watch HQ participated in the 35 day assessment in May/June 2004
and authored the seagrass chapter in the report. They found 10 species of seagrass and
some very large meadows. Throughout the survey, the seagrass meadows were associated
with a high biodiversity of fauna including dugong, fish, sea cucumbers, seastars, algae and
coral.
The release of the report in the Solomons has had a very positive response from government,
NGOs and beyond. It is anticipated that the report will help to form the baseline for marine
conservation in the Solomon Islands for years to come.
The full report is a fairly large document, so if you are on a slow connection, it is recommended
that you download the report in sections or only those sections which you are interested in.
To access the report, please go to
http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/pacific.island.countries.publications/SIMAReport
A Reef Manager's Guide to Coral Bleaching
Paul Marshall and Heidi Schuttenberg
The incidence and severity of mass coral bleaching events have increased over the last two
decades, prompting leading coral reef researchers and managers to declare that coral reefs are
in 'crisis'. In response, over 50 experts in coral bleaching and coral reef management have
collaborated to produce A Reef Manager's Guide to Coral Bleaching. To access the guide,
please go to :
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/publications/misc_pub/a_reef_manage
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FROM HQ
8/07/2007
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Seagrass Taxonomy http://www.seagrasswatch.org/id_seagrass.html
There continues some debate in the literature and between seagrass taxonomists on the
correct classification of seagrasses. After receiving many enquiries, Seagrass-Watch HQ has
posted its version of seagrass classification based on the best information available.
Seagrass-Watch bumper-sticker - giveway
Help show your support for Seagrass-Watch by proudly displaying the offical program bumper-
sticker. The quality vinyl stickers are suitable for outdoors and can be safety attached to a car
window or bumper. If you would like a sticker, send your request (including mailing details) to
hq@seagrasswatch.org .
Phytoplankton Guide - Giveaway http://www.seagrasswatch.org/shop.html#GIVE1
Chris Stafford
Publication Year: 1999
Seagrass are one of many type of marine plants. Seagrass-Watch HQ has several copies of "A
guide to Phytoplankton of Aquaculture Ponds" by Chris Stafford to give away. For
aquaculturists, researchers and students of aquatic science, this guide describes how to count
and identify phytoplankton using techniques employed over three years of monitoring blooms in
north Queensland prawn farms. Methods for sampling, counting and identifying phytoplankton
in ponds and waterways are all explained in a user-friendly way. The 59 page guide which
includes colour plates and was originally AU $35.35. The Queensland Department of Primary
Industries & Fisheries has provided copies free to interested persons. If you would like a copy,
send your request (including mailing details) to hq@seagrasswatch.org .
Manual for Assessing Fish Stocks on Pacific Corral Reefs - Giveaway
http://www.seagrasswatch.org/shop.html#GIVE1
M Samoilys, Editor.
Publication Year: 1997
This manual, designed for hands-on use by fisheries scientists, covers the principles,
procedures and methods for quantifying exploited fish stocks on Pacific coral reefs. The authors
emphasise the importance of rigorous and standardised methodologies, thereby creating the
building blocks for reliable data collection for both current and future stock assessment needs.
The 87 pp paperback, originally AUS$36.10, have been kindly donated by Queensland
Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries. If you would like a copy, send your request
(including mailing details) to hq@seagrasswatch.org . Stocks limited.
Seagrass-Watch News Issue 27 http://www.seagrasswatch.org/newsletters.html
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).
Handy Seagrass Links http://www.seagrasswatch.org/links.html
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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
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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