5th International Marine Debris Conference 20-25 March 2011

The 5th International Marine Debris Conference will take place March 20-25, 2011 in Honolulu, HI, U.S.A.  here

Waves of Change: Global lessons to inspire local action

Date: March 20-25, 2011

Location: Honolulu, Hawai‘i, USA

Co-organizers: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United Nations Environment Programme

It is our hope that this conference will open a new chapter in the field of marine debris by reinvigorating our efforts, providing new tools and information, and inspiring innovation. This new era relies on sharing across borders—building upon successes, taking away lessons from others’ experiences, and working towards common goals. This conference is being designed with a variety of tracks, themes, and session types, with all paths leading to the shared goal of moving forward, globally and locally, in combating the economic and environmental impacts of marine debris.http://www.5imdc.org/program/abstracts/

Australian national ports strategy

The Federal Government commissioned Infrastructure Australia and the National Transport Commission (NTC) to develop the national ports strategy released on 7 January 2011.  Why do we need this strategy? Most all imports to and exports from Australia are carried by ship and our our busy ports manage about 10% of the total world sea trade. There is increasing pressure on ports and peripheral infrastructure to to be able to handle trade levels that are expected to continue to double every ten years. The strategy is anticipated to provide a coordinated approach including transportation in and out of ports. The strategy will be submitted to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) for endorsement and can be downloaded from the NTC website via this link. For more information on the strategy, please visit the Infrastructure Australia website at www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au. Teachers wishing to introduce a unit plan about ports are invited to view the AUSMEPA unit of work called Ports and the Marine Environment which can be found here.

6th World Environmental Education Congress, Brisbane 19-23 July 2011

The 6th World Environmental Education Congress 2011 will be held from Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 July 2011 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Queensland, Australia, and is expected to attract approximately 1,000 Australian and international delegates. 

The 6th WEEC is targeted at individuals and organisations with a stake in environmental and sustainability education who want to share learning and experiences with global experts and peers. Combining content from associations, government and industry sectors, 6th WEEC is offering an opportunity for your members to showcase and discover innovative ideas and network with their peers at this global event. 

The program, under the broad theme of Explore, Experience, Educate, will offer participants an opportunity to learn, encounter, share and debate new ways of thinking, feeling and doing and to explore new trends in research and practice in environmental education.

Click here for more and come and meet AUSMEPA there!

2010 WORLD WIDE WEATHER EXTREMES

Factbox: 2010 hit by weather extremes: Pakistan to Russia Wed Jan 12 22:26:45 UTC 2011

(Reuters) - Last year, in which extreme weather caused devastating floods in Pakistan and China and a heatwave in Russia, tied as the warmest year since records began, a U.S. government agency said on Wednesday. The U.N. panel of climate change experts says that weather is likely to be more extreme in the 21st century because of a build-up of heat-trapping gases from human use of fossil fuels.Last year tied with 2005 as the warmest since global surface records began in 1880, according to the National Climatic Data Center, an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). ....To read the article and more about Australian and world wide examples of extreme weather in 2010 click here.

Heroes riding the flood waters

The elements are unforgiving and lucky for us our mariners are made of tough stuff.
Many thanks to Doug Hislop and Peter Fenton plus the Coast Guard and Maritime Safety Qld for their combined efforts as a result of the SE Queensland floods.

12th January 2011

Tug boat master Doug Hislop was hailed a hero after he guided a massive piece of the Riverwalk down the Brisbane River, missing the Gateway Bridge."What a feat of seamanship, whoever was the pilot of the tug boat deserves and Order of Australia," Mr Rudd told Sky News. 

Read more about the tug boat in the article here

Manly Coast Guard rush to flood rescue. More than 100 Coast Guard volunteers put their lives at risk - article here

Maritime Safety article here

High and dry: Lost yachts rounded up | Courier Mail       

www.couriermail.com.au

MARITIME Safety Queensland has collected 365 pontoons and 18 yachts washed down the Brisbane River in the floods.

STRING BALL OF OCEAN RUBBISH

At the moment beaches near Brisbane are bringing up some very odd pieces of land-based refuse and plastic from the major flooding that has occurred in January.


If you are a teacher or concerned community member and are looking for a novel way to raise awareness of ocean debris in your school or community, this might be the right time to start an ocean rubbish string ball as suggested by SOAR here. A collection of string balls might make a terrific focal point for a conversation/communication piece on ocean pollution.


If you are suggesting this activity to students, in particular, safety is very important! Debris may have sharp bits on them or under them and hands must be washed after touching things from the beach. 


Teachers looking for a unit on Marine Pollution to bring the point home are welcome to use the free online materials provided by AUSMEPA here.

Sapphire Coast Summer Activities, New South Wailes

 

Snug Cove Wharf, Eden (253 Imlay Street) Ph: 02 64961699

www.sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au

Come and discover our amazing marine environment

• Kids corner • Aquaria

• Touch tank• Beachcombing table

• Science room • Whale room

• theatrette with stunning films

• Tsunami demos• Research displays

• DVD presentations• Experienced guides

NEW MARINE LABORATORY NOW OPEN

and much more !

CHRISTMAS SCHOOL HOLIDAY OPENING TIMES

11am to 3pm

Wednesday to Saturday from 5^th January – 29^th January 2011

Adults $7, Seniors $5, Children $2, Families $15

Holiday Activity Programs (Minimum Group Size 4)

Rocky Shore Ramble

Join an experienced guide exploring the amazing diversity of life found on our rock platforms

Any age   1.5hrs   $5 Adults   $2 Children   $12 Families

 (Note: subject to tides)

Guided Snorkel Tours

Our Trained Instructors can show you some of the hidden secrets in the clear waters anywhere along the Sapphire Coast

Ages 12+    2hrs    25 Adults    $10 Children    $60 Families

(Maximum Group Size: 8)

Beachcombing walk

Take a guided walk along one of our local beaches and see what hidden treasures you can find

Any age   1.5hrs   $5 Adults   $2 Children   $12 Families

If you don’t have the numbers, give us a call and we’ll see what we can arrange for you.

Phone us to discuss your needs and book a tour on 6496 1699!