News
Date Posted 26/01/2012
Research Assistant / Technician with James Cook University
Salary: Higher Education Worker Level 4 - $49,473 - $52,555 per annum or Higher Education Worker Level 5 - $53,582 - $60,775 per annum. Level of appointment and commencing salary will be determined according to qualifications and experience.
Full-time for a fixed-term to 31 December 2012 with strong possibility of further extension.
The Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research (ACTFR) is a research and consultancy Centre, established in 1987 at James Cook University (JCU). ACTFR is currently evolving into a new larger entity - TropWATER - Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research. TropWATER reflects an equal emphasis on freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems, and also includes a large number of coastal and marine scientists, as well as hydrologists, engineers and resource economists from across JCU.
ACTFR is seeking to appoint a self motivated and suitably qualified person to provide technical support primarily to the Centre's aquatic ecology and freshwater limnology research projects. Key responsibilities of the position will include assisting in conducting aquarium experiments, developing and maintaining technical and field equipment, and participating in field trips, including operations in remote areas.
Further information is available at: http://www.jcu.edu.au/jobs or by contacting the Recruitment Officer, Human Resources Management, email: jcu.recruitment@jcu.edu.au
Applications close on 3 February, 2012
Date Posted 24/10/2011
Recruiting students with significant studies in maths or science to study a Graduate Diploma in Education
A partnership exists with Griffith University and QLD DET to recruit exceptional post graduate students with significant studies in Mathematics or the Sciences in their undergraduate degree, to undertake a Graduate Diploma in Education supported by the Benowa Teacher Education Centre of Excellence, which I am in the process of establishing at Benowa SHS and Benowa primary on the Gold Coast.
Successful graduates of the program are guaranteed permanent employment in south east Queensland in public schools.
This is an incredible opportunity for anyone considering teaching as a career immediately following their undergraduate degree, or as a career change for those employed elsewhere. It is not directed at existing teachers; rather I am seeking to attract exceptional Mathematics/Science graduates into teaching.
Full details can be found on Griffith University's website at http://www.griffith.edu.au/education/graduate-entry-teaching/priority-employment-opportunities
Date Posted 21/10/2011
6th World Fisheries Congress Meeting 2012
7th - 11th May 2012
Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland
For the official flyer please click here
Key Themes:
- Science to underpin sustainable fisheries
- Inland Fisheries: biodiversity, food security and the need for ecosystem management
- Resilience, adaptive management and governance
- Meeting increasing food and nutrition needs through cultivation
Abstract submission deadline 1st November 2011
More information at www.6thwfc2012.com
Date Posted 26/09/2011
Marine & Freshwater Research - Special Edition on Climate Change
This Special Issue presents 12 papers that resulted from the Australian Society for Fish Biology conference symposium on ‘Climate change and the aquatic environment: the future for fish and fisheries’ held in Melbourne in July 2010. The symposium aimed to summarise the effects of climate change across freshwater, estuarine and marine habitats, and identify options for mitigation, adaptation and management in Australia. This cross-disciplinary approach covered all habitats and how they may be affected, discussing parallels and differences amongecosystems, their key attributes and the impacts on them. This special edition has open access for all. Click Here
Date Posted 26/09/2011
Seal Exclusion Device for Factory Vessels
Seals are attracted to fishing vessels by the promise of an easy feed and chase fish into trawl nets. Some seals become disorientated and drown. In a previous newsletter we reported on how factory vessels (trawl vessels that process fish at sea) are reducing interactions with seals. Non-factory vessels protect seals through a code of conduct.
There are three phases of a trawl fishing operation; deploying (or shooting) the trawl, fishing and hauling.
On a factory vessel seals are protected during shooting because the mouth of the trawl is tied shut by light twine, when the vessel applies power the trawl opens, this twine breaks and the net is open and fishing. When fishing the trawl is too deep to interact with seals. During hauling a seal exclusion device (or SED, see image above) allows seals to escape before they reach the end of the trawl (cod-end). However, sometimes the SED clogs with fish and does not work as well as it should.
Petuna Sealord Deepwater Fishing Company and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) have developed a special SED for factory vessels. It remains tucked out of the way while shooting and fishing but when it is activated via remote radio signal it falls into position ready for hauling. In this way the trawl is not fishing when the SED is deployed and does not clog with fish. Click here to go to SETFIA’s You Tube channel for amazing underwater footage shot at 400 metres of this SED showing the trawl being shot, the trawl fishing and finally the SED locking into position before hauling.
Date Posted 15/09/2011
Closure of Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre
Hi Everyone,
As you may have heard already, the NSW State Government has recently announced plans to close down the Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre (CFRC) by September 2012 and relocate the Science and Research (S&R) Branch to Port Stephen's. This plan would obviously impact negatively on the work we do.
Among many other things, it will severely limit the collaborative projects that are currently underway with each of your Universities/Organisations and reduce the potential to develop future collaborative research projects. Specifically, this move will:
1) limit access for university-based students to the unique laboratory infrastructure available at CFRC (e.g. the fish-
ageing and aquaria facilities)
2) isolate postgraduate students who are also employed within S&R from their Sydney-based university supervisors
3) limit face-to-face contact among collaborating research professionals from S&R and and those from Sydney-
based organisations, which may eventually lead to the breakdown of inter-institutional alliances
4) limit the number of fisheries related research projects that Sydney-based Universities can undertake in the future
If you are concerned about the impacts of the planned move, your prominent positions within academia could assist us in our attempts to reverse this decision. I kindly request that you take a few minutes today or tomorrow to call Mark Speakman (the Liberal Member for Cronulla) to communicate your concerns. His number is (02) 9526 8377. You can also send him a message through the following link <http://www.nsw.liberal.org.au/legislative-assembly/mark-speakman.html> http://www.nsw.liberal.org.au/legislative-assembly/mark-speakman.html. I also urge you to please circulate this email among others who may be able to help.
Thanks in advance for your help and support with this matter and please feel free to contact me at CFRC on 9527 8492 or mailto:faith.doyle@industry.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Faith
Read Media Release Pdf 98kb
Date Posted 19/07/2011
ACPAB 2012
Algae for the Future
8th Asia-Pacific Conference on Algal Biotechnology
9 - 12 July 2012, Adelaide Convention Centre
http://www.sapmea.asn.au/apcab2012
Date Posted 28/05/2011
Internship Opportunity at the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC)
SASC offers interns the opportunity to become involved in a unique and exciting approach to marine conservation. The research and outreach projects are specifically designed to promote a holistic approach to conservation, working with various fishing sectors, research institutes and governmental organisations. Join our internship program and gain valuable insight into the conservation management of sharks and other living marine resources.
SASC is looking for volunteers with a biological background or interest in shark biology and conservation for a period of one to three months. If you interested in joining the team and would like more details and an application, send an email to tamzyn@sharkconservancy.org.
Please refer to the website www.sharkconservancy.org or join the Facebook group for more details about current projects and events.
Date Posted 25/05/2011
Fish experts land Honorary Doctorates
At a special ceremony on Monday 18th April 2011, Hamar and Mary Midgley were recognised for their life’s work receiving Honorary Doctorates from the University of the Sunshine Coast. The self-taught authorities on the freshwater biology and ecology (limnology) of northern Australian streams and impoundments have been Sunshine Coast residents for more than 65 years. Hamar and Mary started their work in the 1950s by studying Australian bass in the Maroochy and Noosa Rivers, and did not retire until 2001, when they were aged 81 and 79 respectively.
Hamar and Mary Midgley pioneered: native fish stocking of impoundments with the official release of spotted barramundi into Borumba Dam; the use of knotless nets and anaesthetics for handling fish; transport of native fish over long distances; hormone-induced breeding of native fish; and the use of a catheter to sex fish. They also were the first to: demonstrate Australian bass migrated to breed in brackish water; describe reproduction in the mouth-brooding spotted barramundi; identify that snub-nosed garfish can breed in freshwater; and identify that golden perch breed in winter in the Lake Eyre System.
Professor Hill praised the couple for their extensive scientific research, meticulous documentation and for their environmental work in helping preserve places like the Noosa National Park, Cooloola Sands and the Maroochy River environs. “For their significant contributions to scientific knowledge in the area of freshwater biology and ecology, USC is delighted to award both Hamar and Mary Midgley with Honorary Doctorates,” he said. “Their database of fish, crustacea and molluscs, water chemistry and stream characteristics – collected in a most disciplined way over 40 years – is an important and lasting contribution to this region and to Australia. “They have now entrusted this database to the University of the Sunshine Coast in the interests of making their foundation work available for ongoing research.”
To hear an interview with Mary on ABC Queensland please go to http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2011/04/fishery-pioneers-.html
Empowering Industry RD&E
Date Posted: 29/11/2010
With the support of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), a new website www.empoweringindustry.com has been developed to facilitate the partnering of industry ideas with suitable research providers and potential funding sources.
The project's aim is to capture grass roots research, development and extension (RD&E) needs from across the supply chain in the wild harvest and aquaculture sectors, as well as ideas from the indigenous and recreational sectors.
'Empowering Industry' is set up to promote industry-driven RD&E in the fishing and seafood industry, and also to encourage the involvement of private and public sector research and service providers from across all industries to work in partnership with industry to develop real outcomes for industry.
Fishing and seafood industry members from all sectors are invited to join the 'Empowering Industry' site and submit their thoughts and ideas on how to improve their operations, and those of the industry as a whole. RD&E service providers and funders are encouraged to join the site to advise industry of their fields of expertise and to develop projects in partnership with industry.
To become a part of this new approach to RD&E, sign up to the website to benefit from involvement with this project.
You can contact 'Empowering Industry' also directly at http://www.empoweringindustry.com/contact.aspx or call Ian Knuckey on 0408 581 599 or Chris Calogeras on 0401 692 601.
This project is funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC project No. 2009/300: Empowering Industry RD&E: Developing an Industry driven RD&E model for the Australian fishing and seafood Industry - partnerships to improve efficiency, profitability and performance).
25th International Congress for Conservation Biology
Date Posted: 25/11/2010
28th November to 2nd December 2011, Christchurch, New Zealand
For more information click here.
The Science of Climate Change: Questions and Answers
The Australian Academy of Science has released one of the clearest statements on climate change yet produced.
Based on a series of key questions, the publication aims to address confusion created by contradictory information in the public domain. It sets out to explain the current situation in climate science, including where there is consensus in the scientific community and where uncertainties exist.
The Science of Climate Change: Questions and Answers was prepared by a Working Group and Oversight Committee made up of Academy Fellows and other Australian scientists with internationally recognised expertise in climate science.
It was publicly launched on Monday 16 August as part of National Science Week at the Academy’s Shine Dome.
The Science of Climate Change: Questions and Answers is available online at: www.science.org.au/policy/climatechange2010.html
Redmap project
The Redmap ‘Citizen Science’ project is about addressing some key knowledge gaps (i.e. how our marine life may be changing distribution) in partnership with the community and our marine industries here in Tasmania. The project has been very successful since we launched 3 months ago and so we are currently developing this as a National project. Redmap is available at www.redmap.org.au.
You can download our first edition of Redmap news, a quarterly newsletter for the project, at http://www.redmap.org.au/news. For Redmap to be successful we need to get the word out there that a place exists for people to report sightings of marine species observed outside their usual range AND we also need to demonstrate interest in the project (i.e. number of people who sign-up for the newsletter!). So please forward this link, or information about the Redmap project, to anyone who is interested in the marine environment in Tassie, people interested in citizen science or climate change research, or to organisations and community groups from mainland Australia who may be interested in being involved in bringing Redmap to their region.
FisheryStandards.org
FisheryStandards.org has been created as a central gathering place and forum for fisheries management professionals to exchange information and contribute to the development of standards. This new initiative revolves around the website, http://www.fisherystandards.org and its online forums.
Sharks and Rays of Australia
The second edition of the highly regarded
Sharks and Rays of Australia
by Peter Last and John Stevens has just been released.
join now
