NSW Government Reintroduces Land-Clearing Law Knowing It Will Accelerate Wildlife Habitat Destruction
Nominating A Species, Ecological Community Or Key Threatening Process Under The EPBC Act
Review Of The Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Native Forest From Managed Regrowth) Methodology Determination 2013
Native Duck Slaughtering Season Opens In Victoria - Shooters Already Murdering Native Birds In Tasmania And South Australia
Catosptrophic Of Tasmania's Waterfowl Populations Ahead Of Annual Shooting Season
Why Duck Shooting Season Still Isn’t On The Endangered List
March 15, 2018by Siobhan O'SullivanSenior Lecturer in Social Policy, UNSWOn March 17, the 2018 duck shooting session will open in Victoria. The first shots were fired in Tasmania and South Australia last weekend. The Northern Territory allows certain types of bird shooting later in the year. Duck shooting is prohibited in the rest of Australia.
States and territories have jurisdiction over duck shooting. In Victoria a new raft of regulations has been introduced to try to limit the damage to the state’s wetlands. One change of note in Victoria is that this year the Blue-winged Shoveler cannot be legally shot due to the low numbers of the species.
The Blue-winged Shoveler has been added to the protected list in Victoria this year for the first time. Flickr CC
Other new regulations require that hunters recover the birds they shoot. This rule serves to formalise what Victoria’s Game Management Authority (GMA)refers to as “standard practice for responsible hunters”.
However, in most other respects Victoria’s 2018 duck season will look almost indistinguishable from previous years. It will still be three months long, with a “bag limit” of ten birds per person per day.
In Tasmania, authorities postponed the shooting start time in 2018, among a raft of other minor amendments.
In fact, the various states regularly make minor changes to the rules. Hundreds of minor adjustments have been made over many decades. While these changes may seem significant, from a broad socio-legal perspective they do little to challenge the status quo.
Playing by the rules?A GMA-commissioned review by Pegasus Economics last year documented regular instances of duck shooters behaving irresponsibly. The independent report concluded that “non-compliance with hunting laws is commonplace and widespread”.
The ABC has aired allegations that unsustainable hunting is on the rise and that regulators feel unable to enforce the rules. It revealed pits containing around 200 unrecovered shot birds from the 2017 opening weekend at Victoria’s Koorangie State Game Reserve alone.
Activists interviewed in the report claimed to have brought out 1,500 dead birds from the wetlands. Of these, 296 were protected species, including 68 endangered Freckled Ducks.
A supplied image of over 800 native waterbirds, including 68 threatened Freckled Ducks, displayed outside the premier’s office at 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne, by the Coalition against Duck Shooting on March 20, 2017. AAP
In my book Animals, Equality and Democracy, I argue that there is a generalised tendency for animal welfare laws to be more effective for socially visible animals. Laws that govern the welfare of zoo animals have improved much more quickly, for example, than those that cover animal welfare in factory farms.
Duck shooting is not a highly visible cause of animal harm. Relatively few people live near the wetlands where shooting takes place. But animal advocates have been effective in making it visible, despite laws that limit their ability to do so.
Elaborate events such as Duck Lake, in which animal activists performed their own version of Swan Lake on the opening morning of the 2016 Tasmanian duck shooting season, help generate media attention.
In 2017, long-time Victorian anti-duck-shooting campaigner Laurie Levy from the Coalition Against Duck Shooting was once again fined for entering the water to help an injured bird. While such activities go some way in generating public visibility, they have thus far not been able to stop duck shooting outright.
The gun lobby’s growing influence in AustraliaAt present, only 28,000 Australians are registered duck shooters. According to 2012 Australia Institute analysis, 87% of Australians support a ban on duck shooting. There is mounting evidence that endangered and non-game species are also being killed.
Before being re-elected at this month’s Tasmanian state election, the Liberal state government promised to soften the state’s gun laws. It alsocommitted to “always protect the right of Tasmanians to safely and responsibly go recreational shooting”.
In Victoria the picture is a little more complex. A 2016 report asserted that most members of the state’s Labor Party oppose duck shooting and that the Andrews government’s continued support may cost it votes.
Indeed, despite the pressure from within the ALP, the daily bag limit for the 2018 season is ten, compared with just four in 2016.
‘Industry capture’ reinvigorating duck shooting
The Pegasus Economics review identifies “industry capture” as a significant factor in the continuation of duck hunting. Industry capture refers to a situation in which industry has a disproportionately close and influential relationship with policymakers compared with other relevant stakeholders.
The decision by the Tasmanian Liberal Party to share details of its proposed softened gun laws with shooters and farmers, and not other interested parties or the public, suggests industry capture is a genuine factor in Tasmania too.
With widespread community opposition ranged against the entrenched interests of the shooters themselves, state governments will need to make some big calls on the future of duck hunting, rather than the current tinkering around the edges.
First published in The Conversation
March 15, 2018
by Siobhan O'Sullivan
Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, UNSW
On March 17, the 2018 duck shooting session will open in Victoria. The first shots were fired in Tasmania and South Australia last weekend. The Northern Territory allows certain types of bird shooting later in the year. Duck shooting is prohibited in the rest of Australia.
States and territories have jurisdiction over duck shooting. In Victoria a new raft of regulations has been introduced to try to limit the damage to the state’s wetlands. One change of note in Victoria is that this year the Blue-winged Shoveler cannot be legally shot due to the low numbers of the species.
The Blue-winged Shoveler has been added to the protected list in Victoria this year for the first time. Flickr CC
Other new regulations require that hunters recover the birds they shoot. This rule serves to formalise what Victoria’s Game Management Authority (GMA)refers to as “standard practice for responsible hunters”.
However, in most other respects Victoria’s 2018 duck season will look almost indistinguishable from previous years. It will still be three months long, with a “bag limit” of ten birds per person per day.
In Tasmania, authorities postponed the shooting start time in 2018, among a raft of other minor amendments.
In fact, the various states regularly make minor changes to the rules. Hundreds of minor adjustments have been made over many decades. While these changes may seem significant, from a broad socio-legal perspective they do little to challenge the status quo.
Playing by the rules?
A GMA-commissioned review by Pegasus Economics last year documented regular instances of duck shooters behaving irresponsibly. The independent report concluded that “non-compliance with hunting laws is commonplace and widespread”.
The ABC has aired allegations that unsustainable hunting is on the rise and that regulators feel unable to enforce the rules. It revealed pits containing around 200 unrecovered shot birds from the 2017 opening weekend at Victoria’s Koorangie State Game Reserve alone.
Activists interviewed in the report claimed to have brought out 1,500 dead birds from the wetlands. Of these, 296 were protected species, including 68 endangered Freckled Ducks.
A supplied image of over 800 native waterbirds, including 68 threatened Freckled Ducks, displayed outside the premier’s office at 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne, by the Coalition against Duck Shooting on March 20, 2017. AAP
In my book Animals, Equality and Democracy, I argue that there is a generalised tendency for animal welfare laws to be more effective for socially visible animals. Laws that govern the welfare of zoo animals have improved much more quickly, for example, than those that cover animal welfare in factory farms.
Duck shooting is not a highly visible cause of animal harm. Relatively few people live near the wetlands where shooting takes place. But animal advocates have been effective in making it visible, despite laws that limit their ability to do so.
Elaborate events such as Duck Lake, in which animal activists performed their own version of Swan Lake on the opening morning of the 2016 Tasmanian duck shooting season, help generate media attention.
In 2017, long-time Victorian anti-duck-shooting campaigner Laurie Levy from the Coalition Against Duck Shooting was once again fined for entering the water to help an injured bird. While such activities go some way in generating public visibility, they have thus far not been able to stop duck shooting outright.
The gun lobby’s growing influence in Australia
At present, only 28,000 Australians are registered duck shooters. According to 2012 Australia Institute analysis, 87% of Australians support a ban on duck shooting. There is mounting evidence that endangered and non-game species are also being killed.
Before being re-elected at this month’s Tasmanian state election, the Liberal state government promised to soften the state’s gun laws. It alsocommitted to “always protect the right of Tasmanians to safely and responsibly go recreational shooting”.
In Victoria the picture is a little more complex. A 2016 report asserted that most members of the state’s Labor Party oppose duck shooting and that the Andrews government’s continued support may cost it votes.
Indeed, despite the pressure from within the ALP, the daily bag limit for the 2018 season is ten, compared with just four in 2016.
‘Industry capture’ reinvigorating duck shooting
The Pegasus Economics review identifies “industry capture” as a significant factor in the continuation of duck hunting. Industry capture refers to a situation in which industry has a disproportionately close and influential relationship with policymakers compared with other relevant stakeholders.
The decision by the Tasmanian Liberal Party to share details of its proposed softened gun laws with shooters and farmers, and not other interested parties or the public, suggests industry capture is a genuine factor in Tasmania too.
With widespread community opposition ranged against the entrenched interests of the shooters themselves, state governments will need to make some big calls on the future of duck hunting, rather than the current tinkering around the edges.
First published in The Conversation
Urban Play In Urban Parks
Australians Want Community Consent On Mining
March 13, 2018: CSIROA new national survey on citizen attitudes toward mining shows that three-quarters of Australians think mining companies should gain consent from local communities before development.
The CSIRO report also shows that while most Australians accept mining and hold positive views about its role in contributing to the nation's economy, they hold low levels of trust in in the industry, don't feel they have a voice in shaping the industry's practices or faith in the governance surrounding mining.
CSIRO surveyed 8020 Australians on their attitudes toward mining. Participants were over the age of 18 living in mining regions, non-mining regions and metropolitan areas.
"In Australia in recent years, the types of conversations we've had about mining haven't always been constructive," CSIRO social scientist, Dr Kieren Moffat, said.
"What's been lacking in these discussions – about a resource base that's managed on behalf of Australian citizens – is the citizens' voice.
"We want to promote a conversation about mining that goes a lot deeper and brings that voice directly to the table."
The top perceived benefits of mining are job creation and employment opportunities, which outweigh the top perceived negative impacts to the environment and water quality.
This balance of benefits over negative impacts is considered a strong driver of Australians' general acceptance of the mining industry.
"These results aim to give mining companies, government and communities a deeper understanding of the factors that lead to acceptance of the industry and the critical elements that develop trust between the community and industry," Dr Moffat said.
Australia is one of the world's top resource producers. Iron ore continues to be Australia's biggest export earner, contributing tens of billions of dollars each year to the nation's economy.
Yet with increasing community expectations, it's vital to the industry's future that it maintains a social licence to operate.
"What remains consistent throughout all our social research is that trust is central to building strong relationships between industry and the communities they work alongside," Dr Moffat said.
"The challenge is that trust is low across the board. Our work at the national and local scales in mining communities demonstrates that there are very tangible, practical ways that mining companies and industry can address this trust deficit."
The results form part of a global database on attitudes to mining, which includes the results of citizen surveys conducted in China, Chile, Finland and Zambia and aims to help the industry improve its social performance.View the results or download the report at: www.csiro.au/attitudestomining
March 13, 2018: CSIRO
A new national survey on citizen attitudes toward mining shows that three-quarters of Australians think mining companies should gain consent from local communities before development.
The CSIRO report also shows that while most Australians accept mining and hold positive views about its role in contributing to the nation's economy, they hold low levels of trust in in the industry, don't feel they have a voice in shaping the industry's practices or faith in the governance surrounding mining.
CSIRO surveyed 8020 Australians on their attitudes toward mining. Participants were over the age of 18 living in mining regions, non-mining regions and metropolitan areas.
"In Australia in recent years, the types of conversations we've had about mining haven't always been constructive," CSIRO social scientist, Dr Kieren Moffat, said.
"What's been lacking in these discussions – about a resource base that's managed on behalf of Australian citizens – is the citizens' voice.
"We want to promote a conversation about mining that goes a lot deeper and brings that voice directly to the table."
The top perceived benefits of mining are job creation and employment opportunities, which outweigh the top perceived negative impacts to the environment and water quality.
This balance of benefits over negative impacts is considered a strong driver of Australians' general acceptance of the mining industry.
"These results aim to give mining companies, government and communities a deeper understanding of the factors that lead to acceptance of the industry and the critical elements that develop trust between the community and industry," Dr Moffat said.
Australia is one of the world's top resource producers. Iron ore continues to be Australia's biggest export earner, contributing tens of billions of dollars each year to the nation's economy.
Yet with increasing community expectations, it's vital to the industry's future that it maintains a social licence to operate.
"What remains consistent throughout all our social research is that trust is central to building strong relationships between industry and the communities they work alongside," Dr Moffat said.
"The challenge is that trust is low across the board. Our work at the national and local scales in mining communities demonstrates that there are very tangible, practical ways that mining companies and industry can address this trust deficit."
The results form part of a global database on attitudes to mining, which includes the results of citizen surveys conducted in China, Chile, Finland and Zambia and aims to help the industry improve its social performance.
View the results or download the report at: www.csiro.au/attitudestomining
Time To Choose
Turquoise Parrot – Capertee Valley
Paintback Collection Event: Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona Vale
Saturday, April 7 at 8 AM - 4 PM
73 Bassett St, Mona Vale
The problem of unwanted paint & packaging has been solved. Trade painters and householders are invited to dispose of unwanted paint and packaging responsibly at the following collection event.
Mona Vale Collection EventDate: April 7, 2018Time: 8am to 4pmLocation: Johnson Bros Mitre 10, 73 Bassett Street Mona Vale, NSW 2103Drop off is FREE
For more info on Paintback go to paintback.com.au.
Paintback accepts up to 100 litres per visit, secured in containers of 20 litres or less.
Saturday, April 7 at 8 AM - 4 PM
73 Bassett St, Mona Vale
The problem of unwanted paint & packaging has been solved.
Trade painters and householders are invited to dispose of unwanted paint and packaging responsibly at the following collection event.
Mona Vale Collection Event
Date: April 7, 2018
Time: 8am to 4pm
Location: Johnson Bros Mitre 10, 73 Bassett Street Mona Vale, NSW 2103
Drop off is FREE
For more info on Paintback go to paintback.com.au.
Paintback accepts up to 100 litres per visit, secured in containers of 20 litres or less.
New Stop Adani Film "A Mighty Force"
Hosted by Knitting Nannas of PittwaterThursday, March 22 at 7 PM - 9 PMCoastal Environment Centre, Lake Paark Rd, Narrabeen
Hi Everyone, We are screening the new Stop Adani Film, "A Mighty Force" at The Coastal Environment Centre, Lake Park Road, Narrabeen, on Thursday 22nd March at 7pm. It is a great film about all the terrific people fighting Adani and what is happening. We all need to keep pushing to stop this disastrous mine. So do come and join us at the film screeniing. $5 at the door, wine and cheese snacks included. R.S.V.P Here!
Hosted by Knitting Nannas of Pittwater
Thursday, March 22 at 7 PM - 9 PM
Coastal Environment Centre, Lake Paark Rd, Narrabeen
Hi Everyone, We are screening the new Stop Adani Film, "A Mighty Force" at The Coastal Environment Centre, Lake Park Road, Narrabeen, on Thursday 22nd March at 7pm. It is a great film about all the terrific people fighting Adani and what is happening. We all need to keep pushing to stop this disastrous mine. So do come and join us at the film screeniing. $5 at the door, wine and cheese snacks included. R.S.V.P Here!
Zest For Life Festival
Hosted by Avalon Community GardenSunday, April 8 at 10 AM - 2 PMIn the Grounds of Barrenjoey High School, via Tasman Road gates, North Avalon.Add some zest to your life at Avalon Community Garden. Hear amazing legends speak about their passion for the planet, for soil, for plastic free living, caring for the Oceans and much more.
Indulge in the Garden’s Natural Food Café, open all day for lunch, organic produce, tea, coffee and cakes. Relax listening to some cool beats from a bevy of Avalon’s talented performers.
For the kids there is craft & painting, music al entertainment, gardening and their own café!
Take a tour through the Garden grounds whilst visiting our eco partners’ stalls. Plus a day of eco workshops, films, talks and fun activities:
10:10 Smoke ceremony and welcome to country Neil Evers - Aboriginal elder of the Guringai people.
11:00 The Importance of Soil talk Peter Rutherford - Eco House and Garden, Kimbriki.
11:30 Making Compost From Food Scraps workshop. Tim Seaton - Coastal Environment Centre / ACG.
12:00 No Plastic Please talk. Robbie Luscombe-Newman – Living Ocean.
12:30 Plastic Free Lifestyle film - Living Ocean.
12:30 Aspara Gus entertains the kids Luke Escombe - The Veggie Plot.
1:00 No more gladwrap on your sangers – make your own beeswax wrap workshop.Tim Seaton – The Coastal Environment Centre / ACG.
1:30 Make your own essential oil sunscreen workshop. Phyllis Agius – ACG.
1:30 Make and retain good soil on steep sites using Hugelkulture method. Sam Gibbons – ACG.
Hosted by Avalon Community Garden
Sunday, April 8 at 10 AM - 2 PM
In the Grounds of Barrenjoey High School, via Tasman Road gates, North Avalon.
Add some zest to your life at Avalon Community Garden. Hear amazing legends speak about their passion for the planet, for soil, for plastic free living, caring for the Oceans and much more.
Indulge in the Garden’s Natural Food Café, open all day for lunch, organic produce, tea, coffee and cakes. Relax listening to some cool beats from a bevy of Avalon’s talented performers.
For the kids there is craft & painting, music al entertainment, gardening and their own café!
Take a tour through the Garden grounds whilst visiting our eco partners’ stalls. Plus a day of eco workshops, films, talks and fun activities:
10:10 Smoke ceremony and welcome to country
Neil Evers - Aboriginal elder of the Guringai people.
11:00 The Importance of Soil talk
Peter Rutherford - Eco House and Garden, Kimbriki.
11:30 Making Compost From Food Scraps workshop.
Tim Seaton - Coastal Environment Centre / ACG.
12:00 No Plastic Please talk.
Robbie Luscombe-Newman – Living Ocean.
12:30 Plastic Free Lifestyle film - Living Ocean.
12:30 Aspara Gus entertains the kids
Luke Escombe - The Veggie Plot.
1:00 No more gladwrap on your sangers – make your own beeswax wrap workshop.
Tim Seaton – The Coastal Environment Centre / ACG.
1:30 Make your own essential oil sunscreen workshop.
Phyllis Agius – ACG.
1:30 Make and retain good soil on steep sites using Hugelkulture method.
Sam Gibbons – ACG.
Please Help: Contribute To Significant Trees Register For Our Area
Significant trees listings wanted
February 28, 2018: Avalon Preservation AssociationThe next step in the Avalon Preservation Association's Avalon Cultural Audit is to identify and list significant trees in the area.
Roger Sayers has nominated the Spotted Gums in the reserve opposite Careel Bay Wharf.
Please help us by contributing your pick of significant trees in the area so we can map them and enter into our database.
You can either post a picture/s on the APA Facebook page and identify location of tree/s and species type if known or email us with same atsecretary@avalonpreservationassociation.org.au
Our new Avalon Preservation Association Noticeboard is finally installed on corner of Belle Property Building near Herforts Chemist Old Barrenjoey Rd Avalon Beach. Many thanks to Mark Griffin Belle Property for use of wall and Robert Adema for installation.
Significant trees listings wanted
February 28, 2018: Avalon Preservation Association
The next step in the Avalon Preservation Association's Avalon Cultural Audit is to identify and list significant trees in the area.
Roger Sayers has nominated the Spotted Gums in the reserve opposite Careel Bay Wharf.
Please help us by contributing your pick of significant trees in the area so we can map them and enter into our database.
You can either post a picture/s on the APA Facebook page and identify location of tree/s and species type if known or email us with same atsecretary@avalonpreservationassociation.org.au
Our new Avalon Preservation Association Noticeboard is finally installed on corner of Belle Property Building near Herforts Chemist Old Barrenjoey Rd Avalon Beach. Many thanks to Mark Griffin Belle Property for use of wall and Robert Adema for installation.
Russell Vale Colliery (Formerly The 'NRE No. 1 Mine'); Preliminary Works Project Modification 4 Bellambi Creek Gully
Austen Quarry Extension - Mod 1
Draft Plans Of Management For NSW Reserves, State And National Parks: Have Your Say
Update On Baleen 2D HR Seismic Survey
No Gas Drilling Off Newcastle Petition
Australian Scientists Helping To Improve Understanding Of Plate Tectonics
March 14, 2018: Australian National UniversityScientists at The Australian National University (ANU) are helping to improve understanding of how rocks in Earth's hot, deep interior enable the motions of tectonic plates, which regulate the water cycle that is critical for a habitable planet.
Research team leader Professor Ian Jackson said tectonic plates were continuously created at mid-ocean ridges and destroyed when they sink back into the Earth's mantle.
"Plate tectonics is responsible for diverse geological phenomena including continental drift, mountain building and the occurrence of volcanoes and earthquakes," said Professor Jackson from the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences.
The stirring of the Earth's interior, which is responsible for the plate motions at the surface, has resulted in the Earth's gradual cooling over its 4.5 billion-year life.
He said defects allowed the normally strong and hard minerals of the Earth's deep interior to change their shape and flow like viscous fluid on geological timescales.
"We have found that flaws in the regular atomic packing in the dominant upper-mantle mineral, called olivine, that become more prevalent under oxidising conditions, substantially reduce the speeds of seismic waves," Professor Jackson said.
Seismic waves, caused by earthquakes, are used to image the Earth's deep interior in a manner similar to medical CAT scanning.
"Our new findings challenge a long-held theory that defects involving water absorption in these normally dry rocks could control both their viscosity and seismic properties," Professor Jackson said.
ANU Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES) PhD scholar Chris Cline is the lead author of the study undertaken in collaboration with RSES colleagues and Professor Ulrich Faul at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.
The team used specialised equipment in a laboratory at ANU to make synthetic specimens similar to upper mantle rocks and measured their rigidity, which controls seismic wave speeds, under conditions simulating those of the Earth's mantle.
Professor Jackson said the research was particularly relevant to environments where old, cold, and oxidised tectonic plates sink into the Earth's hot interior.
"We have the potential to help map the extent of oxidised regions of the Earth's mantle that play such an important role in the chemical evolution of Earth," he said.
Professor Ian Jackson with a fragment of the Earth's upper mantle, peridotite (green rock inside the black material), brought from around 30km depth within a basaltic magma. Image Credit: ANU
C. J. Cline II, U. H. Faul, E. C. David, A. J. Berry & I. Jackson. Redox-influenced seismic properties of upper-mantle olivine. Nature, 2018 DOI:10.1038/nature25764
March 14, 2018: Australian National University
Scientists at The Australian National University (ANU) are helping to improve understanding of how rocks in Earth's hot, deep interior enable the motions of tectonic plates, which regulate the water cycle that is critical for a habitable planet.
Research team leader Professor Ian Jackson said tectonic plates were continuously created at mid-ocean ridges and destroyed when they sink back into the Earth's mantle.
"Plate tectonics is responsible for diverse geological phenomena including continental drift, mountain building and the occurrence of volcanoes and earthquakes," said Professor Jackson from the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences.
The stirring of the Earth's interior, which is responsible for the plate motions at the surface, has resulted in the Earth's gradual cooling over its 4.5 billion-year life.
He said defects allowed the normally strong and hard minerals of the Earth's deep interior to change their shape and flow like viscous fluid on geological timescales.
"We have found that flaws in the regular atomic packing in the dominant upper-mantle mineral, called olivine, that become more prevalent under oxidising conditions, substantially reduce the speeds of seismic waves," Professor Jackson said.
Seismic waves, caused by earthquakes, are used to image the Earth's deep interior in a manner similar to medical CAT scanning.
"Our new findings challenge a long-held theory that defects involving water absorption in these normally dry rocks could control both their viscosity and seismic properties," Professor Jackson said.
ANU Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES) PhD scholar Chris Cline is the lead author of the study undertaken in collaboration with RSES colleagues and Professor Ulrich Faul at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.
The team used specialised equipment in a laboratory at ANU to make synthetic specimens similar to upper mantle rocks and measured their rigidity, which controls seismic wave speeds, under conditions simulating those of the Earth's mantle.
Professor Jackson said the research was particularly relevant to environments where old, cold, and oxidised tectonic plates sink into the Earth's hot interior.
"We have the potential to help map the extent of oxidised regions of the Earth's mantle that play such an important role in the chemical evolution of Earth," he said.
Professor Ian Jackson with a fragment of the Earth's upper mantle, peridotite (green rock inside the black material), brought from around 30km depth within a basaltic magma. Image Credit: ANU
C. J. Cline II, U. H. Faul, E. C. David, A. J. Berry & I. Jackson. Redox-influenced seismic properties of upper-mantle olivine. Nature, 2018 DOI:10.1038/nature25764
Breeding Trouble: Meta-Analysis Identifies Fishy Issues With Captive Stocks
March 13, 2018: University of SydneyA group of researchers based at the University of Sydney has uncovered patterns that may be jeopardising the long-term success of worldwide animal breeding programs, which increasingly act as an insurance against extinction in conservation, and for food security.
The meta-analysis, led by the University of Sydney's Faculty of Science, found captive-born animals had, on average, almost half the odds of reproductive success compared to their wild-born counterparts in captivity.
In aquaculture, the effects were particularly pronounced, although research and conservation programs showed the same trend.
The study analysed more than 100 results, from 39 animal studies of 44 diverse species including shrimp, fish, mice, ducks, lemurs and Tasmanian devils.
The paper, "A meta-analysis of birth-origin effects on reproduction in diverse captive environments", is published today in Nature Communications.
Dr Catherine Grueber, who supervised the study, said the team was surprised at how universal the patterns were.
"More than 2,000 threatened species rely on successful reproduction through captive breeding programs for conservation alone," said Dr Grueber, from the University of Sydney's School of Life and Environmental Sciences and San Diego Zoo Global.
"In order to maintain our food supply, it's crucial we improve captive breeding; for example, the aquaculture industry is looking at introducing new species for commercialisation."
Lead author, PhD student Ms Kate Farquharson, said the results provide opportunities for improving the long-term success of animal breeding programs.
"Our dataset included measurements of lots of different reproductive traits - such as fertility, number of offspring, and timing of reproduction - but found that certain traits, such as offspring weight and mothering ability, seem to be the most strongly affected," Ms Farquharson said.
"This provides an opportunity for animal breeding programs, by identifying the areas where improvement could boost sustainability."
Research manager at the University of Sydney's Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group, co-author Dr Carolyn Hogg, said the research could be extended by undertaking multi-generational studies.
"Identifying limitations as well as opportunities in captive breeding programs across all industries is an urgent priority," Dr Hogg said.- The study covered animal breeding programs in aquaculture, conservation and research. It included invertebrates, fish, birds and mammals.
- Across the animal kingdom, captive-born animals were found to average 42 percent decreased odds of reproductive success, compared to those that are wild-born.
- Considerable research has explored differences between captive and wild populations; less attention has been given to finding patterns across species.
- In conservation, captive breeding has been recommended by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessors for 2199 species to reduce the threat of extinction.
Co-author Dr Carolyn Hogg working with released captive born devils on Maria Island in Australia's state of Tasmania.Credit: Phil Wise took the photo on Dr Hogg's camera.
Katherine A. Farquharson, Carolyn J. Hogg, Catherine E. Grueber. A meta-analysis of birth-origin effects on reproduction in diverse captive environments. Nature Communications, 2018; 9 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03500-9
March 13, 2018: University of Sydney
A group of researchers based at the University of Sydney has uncovered patterns that may be jeopardising the long-term success of worldwide animal breeding programs, which increasingly act as an insurance against extinction in conservation, and for food security.
The meta-analysis, led by the University of Sydney's Faculty of Science, found captive-born animals had, on average, almost half the odds of reproductive success compared to their wild-born counterparts in captivity.
In aquaculture, the effects were particularly pronounced, although research and conservation programs showed the same trend.
The study analysed more than 100 results, from 39 animal studies of 44 diverse species including shrimp, fish, mice, ducks, lemurs and Tasmanian devils.
The paper, "A meta-analysis of birth-origin effects on reproduction in diverse captive environments", is published today in Nature Communications.
Dr Catherine Grueber, who supervised the study, said the team was surprised at how universal the patterns were.
"More than 2,000 threatened species rely on successful reproduction through captive breeding programs for conservation alone," said Dr Grueber, from the University of Sydney's School of Life and Environmental Sciences and San Diego Zoo Global.
"In order to maintain our food supply, it's crucial we improve captive breeding; for example, the aquaculture industry is looking at introducing new species for commercialisation."
Lead author, PhD student Ms Kate Farquharson, said the results provide opportunities for improving the long-term success of animal breeding programs.
"Our dataset included measurements of lots of different reproductive traits - such as fertility, number of offspring, and timing of reproduction - but found that certain traits, such as offspring weight and mothering ability, seem to be the most strongly affected," Ms Farquharson said.
"This provides an opportunity for animal breeding programs, by identifying the areas where improvement could boost sustainability."
Research manager at the University of Sydney's Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group, co-author Dr Carolyn Hogg, said the research could be extended by undertaking multi-generational studies.
"Identifying limitations as well as opportunities in captive breeding programs across all industries is an urgent priority," Dr Hogg said.
- The study covered animal breeding programs in aquaculture, conservation and research. It included invertebrates, fish, birds and mammals.
- Across the animal kingdom, captive-born animals were found to average 42 percent decreased odds of reproductive success, compared to those that are wild-born.
- Considerable research has explored differences between captive and wild populations; less attention has been given to finding patterns across species.
- In conservation, captive breeding has been recommended by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessors for 2199 species to reduce the threat of extinction.
Co-author Dr Carolyn Hogg working with released captive born devils on Maria Island in Australia's state of Tasmania.
Credit: Phil Wise took the photo on Dr Hogg's camera.
Katherine A. Farquharson, Carolyn J. Hogg, Catherine E. Grueber. A meta-analysis of birth-origin effects on reproduction in diverse captive environments. Nature Communications, 2018; 9 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03500-9
Coral Reef Experiment Shows: Acidification From Carbon Dioxide Slows Growth
March 14, 2018: Carnegie Institution for ScienceOcean acidification will severely impair coral reef growth before the end of the century if carbon dioxide emissions continue unchecked, according to new research on Australia's Great Barrier Reef led by Carnegie's Ken Caldeira and the California Academy of Sciences' Rebecca Albright.
Experimental set-up and research team at a coral reef flat study site at One Tree Island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The studies conducted here represent the first ocean acidification experiment of a natural coral reef community, providing evidence that near-future ocean acidification projections severely depressed coral reef growth. Photograph is courtesy of Aaron Takeo Ninokawa of UC Davis.
Their work, published in Nature, represents the first ocean acidification experiment in which seawater was made artificially acidic by the addition of carbon dioxide and then allowed to flow across a natural coral reef community. The acidity of the seawater was increased to reflect end-of-century projections if carbon dioxide from greenhouse gas emissions are not abated.
Two years ago, Caldeira and Albright, then at Carnegie, published a landmark study providing evidence that ocean acidification is already slowing coral reef growth.
In that work, they made a coral reef community's seawater chemistry more alkaline -- essentially giving the reef an antacid -- and demonstrated that the coral's ability to construct its architecture was improved under these conditions. It was the first time that seawater chemistry was experimentally manipulated in a natural coral reef environment.
They once again altered seawater chemistry of reef flats surrounding One Tree Island off the coast of Australia. But this time they gave the reef heartburn, increasing acidity by adding carbon dioxide to seawater flowing over a coral reef community.
"Last time, we made the seawater less acidic, like it was 100 years ago, and this time, we added carbon dioxide to the water to make it more acidic, like it could be 100 years from now," Caldeira explained.
When coal, oil, or gas is burned, the resulting carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. It is well established that these emissions are the culprit of global climate change, the warming from which has a negative impact on coral reefs. But this atmospheric carbon is also absorbed into the ocean, where it remains for millennia.
A chemical reaction between the seawater and these soaked-up carbon emissions produces carbonic acid, which is corrosive to coral reefs, shellfish, and other marine life. Reefs are especially vulnerable to this ocean acidification, because their skeletons are constructed by accreting calcium carbonate, a process called calcification. As the surrounding water becomes more acidic, calcification becomes more difficult.
"Our findings provide strong evidence that ocean acidification caused by carbon dioxide emissions will severely slow coral reef growth in the future unless we make steep and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions," said first author Albright.
Furthermore, by working in controlled areas of a natural reef community, Caldeira, Albright, and their team were able to demonstrate how acidification affects coral reefs on the ecosystem scale, not just in terms of individual organisms or species, as other studies have done.
They say this approach is crucial to understanding the full scope and complexity of ocean acidification's impact, as well as to predicting how acidification will affect the coastal communities that depend on these ecosystems.
"Coral reefs offer economic opportunities to their surrounding communities from fishing and tourism," Caldeira said. "But for me the reef is a beautiful and diverse outpouring of life that we are harming with our carbon dioxide emissions. For the denizens of the reef, there's not a moment to lose in building an energy system that doesn't dump its waste into the sky or sea."
Experimental plume of carbon dioxide-enriched seawater and a dye tracer flowing across a coral reef flat in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This study represents the first ocean acidification experiment on a natural coral reef community and provides evidence that near-future ocean acidification projections severely depressed coral reef growth. Photograph is courtesy of Aaron Takeo Ninokawa of UC Davis.
Jeffrey B. McQuaid, Adam B. Kustka, Miroslav Oborník, Aleš Horák, John P. McCrow, Bogumil J. Karas, Hong Zheng, Theodor Kindeberg, Andreas J. Andersson, Katherine A. Barbeau, Andrew E. Allen. Carbonate-sensitive phytotransferrin controls high-affinity iron uptake in diatoms. Nature, 2018; DOI: 10.1038/nature25982
March 14, 2018: Carnegie Institution for Science
Ocean acidification will severely impair coral reef growth before the end of the century if carbon dioxide emissions continue unchecked, according to new research on Australia's Great Barrier Reef led by Carnegie's Ken Caldeira and the California Academy of Sciences' Rebecca Albright.
Experimental set-up and research team at a coral reef flat study site at One Tree Island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The studies conducted here represent the first ocean acidification experiment of a natural coral reef community, providing evidence that near-future ocean acidification projections severely depressed coral reef growth. Photograph is courtesy of Aaron Takeo Ninokawa of UC Davis.
Their work, published in Nature, represents the first ocean acidification experiment in which seawater was made artificially acidic by the addition of carbon dioxide and then allowed to flow across a natural coral reef community. The acidity of the seawater was increased to reflect end-of-century projections if carbon dioxide from greenhouse gas emissions are not abated.
Two years ago, Caldeira and Albright, then at Carnegie, published a landmark study providing evidence that ocean acidification is already slowing coral reef growth.
In that work, they made a coral reef community's seawater chemistry more alkaline -- essentially giving the reef an antacid -- and demonstrated that the coral's ability to construct its architecture was improved under these conditions. It was the first time that seawater chemistry was experimentally manipulated in a natural coral reef environment.
They once again altered seawater chemistry of reef flats surrounding One Tree Island off the coast of Australia. But this time they gave the reef heartburn, increasing acidity by adding carbon dioxide to seawater flowing over a coral reef community.
"Last time, we made the seawater less acidic, like it was 100 years ago, and this time, we added carbon dioxide to the water to make it more acidic, like it could be 100 years from now," Caldeira explained.
When coal, oil, or gas is burned, the resulting carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. It is well established that these emissions are the culprit of global climate change, the warming from which has a negative impact on coral reefs. But this atmospheric carbon is also absorbed into the ocean, where it remains for millennia.
A chemical reaction between the seawater and these soaked-up carbon emissions produces carbonic acid, which is corrosive to coral reefs, shellfish, and other marine life. Reefs are especially vulnerable to this ocean acidification, because their skeletons are constructed by accreting calcium carbonate, a process called calcification. As the surrounding water becomes more acidic, calcification becomes more difficult.
"Our findings provide strong evidence that ocean acidification caused by carbon dioxide emissions will severely slow coral reef growth in the future unless we make steep and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions," said first author Albright.
Furthermore, by working in controlled areas of a natural reef community, Caldeira, Albright, and their team were able to demonstrate how acidification affects coral reefs on the ecosystem scale, not just in terms of individual organisms or species, as other studies have done.
They say this approach is crucial to understanding the full scope and complexity of ocean acidification's impact, as well as to predicting how acidification will affect the coastal communities that depend on these ecosystems.
"Coral reefs offer economic opportunities to their surrounding communities from fishing and tourism," Caldeira said. "But for me the reef is a beautiful and diverse outpouring of life that we are harming with our carbon dioxide emissions. For the denizens of the reef, there's not a moment to lose in building an energy system that doesn't dump its waste into the sky or sea."
Experimental plume of carbon dioxide-enriched seawater and a dye tracer flowing across a coral reef flat in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This study represents the first ocean acidification experiment on a natural coral reef community and provides evidence that near-future ocean acidification projections severely depressed coral reef growth. Photograph is courtesy of Aaron Takeo Ninokawa of UC Davis.
Jeffrey B. McQuaid, Adam B. Kustka, Miroslav Oborník, Aleš Horák, John P. McCrow, Bogumil J. Karas, Hong Zheng, Theodor Kindeberg, Andreas J. Andersson, Katherine A. Barbeau, Andrew E. Allen. Carbonate-sensitive phytotransferrin controls high-affinity iron uptake in diatoms. Nature, 2018; DOI: 10.1038/nature25982
Barranjoey-Barrenjoey In 1967 And 1968
Woolworths Surf Camps Get Underway At Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC)
CASUARINA/NSW (Thursday, March 16th/2018): from Surfing AustraliaThe Woolworths Surf Camps are underway at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) in Northern New South Wales.Under 14 Boys winners from the ten Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu kicked things off first yesterday, March 14th with HPC coaches Samba Mann, Clancy Dawson and Tim Macdonald putting the group through multiple surf sessions on day one.
The ten under 14 Girls winners get their camp underway on March 19th at the HPC with the best and fairest male and female surfers from each camp set to take away a $250.00 Woolworths gift voucher as part of the Woolworths Fresh Wave Awards.
During each camp, the aspiring young athletes will put through their paces with a combination of surfing and video analysis, competition strategies and strength and gymnastic training.
Regarded as one of the major stepping stones in the development of young Australian surfers, the 10-event Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu caters for surfers from Under 8 to Under 14 and will be held in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia over summer. The prestigious event series will also return to Tasmania in 2017/18.
As an added bonus, the respective winners of the Under 14 boys’ and girls’ divisions from each event will receive an invite to attend an all-expenses-paid, three-day Woolworths Surf Camp at the Hurley Surfing Australia High-Performance Centre (HPC). For the South Australian, Victorian and Tasmanian events, the Woolworths Surf Camp prize will be awarded to the highest place Under-14 Boy and Girl who reside in that respective State.
The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu have helped to launch the careers of many of Australia's most promising junior surfers with almost 800 children set to take part in the 2017/18 event series.
Previous champions include Matt Banting, Jacob Willcox, Luke Hynd, Eli Steele, Kai Hing, Chris Zaffis, Quinn Bruce, Ellie-Jean Coffey, Macy Callaghan, Isabella Nichols, Holly Wawn and Laura Poncini.
Woolworths Boys Surf Camp 14-16th March Participants:Koda KillornEVENT 1 - Northern Beaches, NSWTaj SimonEVENT 2 - Cronulla, NSWJarvis EarleEVENT 3 - Kiama, NSWTouma CameronEVENT 4 - Coffs Harbour, NSWZeph LamperdEVENT 5 - Ocean Grove, VICKing CairnsEVENT 6 - Fleurieu Peninsula, SAElijah Magner EVENT 7 - Sunshine Coast, QLDMatt BoyleEVENT 8 - Gold Coast, QLDDylan VernonEVENT 9 -Trigg, WAGus LockleyEVENT 10 - Clifton Beach, TAS
Woolworths Girls Surf Camp 19-21st March Participants:Cedar Leigh-JonesEVENT 1 - Northern Beaches, NSWOceania RogersEVENT 2 - Cronulla, NSWHolly WishartEVENT 3 - Kiama, NSWCharlize EverittEVENT 4 - Coffs Harbour, NSWEllie HarrisonEVENT 5 - Ocean Grove, VICImogen ElliottEVENT 6 - Fleurieu Peninsula, SACali BarrettEVENT 7 - Sunshine Coast, QLDLilliana BowreyEVENT 8 - Gold Coast, QLDIsi CampbellEVENT 9 -Trigg, WALily MereszkaEVENT 10 - Clifton Beach, TAS
Photo - Under 14 Girls Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu Northern Beaches event 1 winner and Woolworths Surf Camp participant Cedar Leigh-Jones. Photo credit: Ethan Smith/Surfing Australia
CASUARINA/NSW (Thursday, March 16th/2018):
from Surfing Australia
The Woolworths Surf Camps are underway at the Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) in Northern New South Wales.
Under 14 Boys winners from the ten Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu kicked things off first yesterday, March 14th with HPC coaches Samba Mann, Clancy Dawson and Tim Macdonald putting the group through multiple surf sessions on day one.
The ten under 14 Girls winners get their camp underway on March 19th at the HPC with the best and fairest male and female surfers from each camp set to take away a $250.00 Woolworths gift voucher as part of the Woolworths Fresh Wave Awards.
During each camp, the aspiring young athletes will put through their paces with a combination of surfing and video analysis, competition strategies and strength and gymnastic training.
Regarded as one of the major stepping stones in the development of young Australian surfers, the 10-event Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu caters for surfers from Under 8 to Under 14 and will be held in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia over summer. The prestigious event series will also return to Tasmania in 2017/18.
As an added bonus, the respective winners of the Under 14 boys’ and girls’ divisions from each event will receive an invite to attend an all-expenses-paid, three-day Woolworths Surf Camp at the Hurley Surfing Australia High-Performance Centre (HPC). For the South Australian, Victorian and Tasmanian events, the Woolworths Surf Camp prize will be awarded to the highest place Under-14 Boy and Girl who reside in that respective State.
The Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu have helped to launch the careers of many of Australia's most promising junior surfers with almost 800 children set to take part in the 2017/18 event series.
Previous champions include Matt Banting, Jacob Willcox, Luke Hynd, Eli Steele, Kai Hing, Chris Zaffis, Quinn Bruce, Ellie-Jean Coffey, Macy Callaghan, Isabella Nichols, Holly Wawn and Laura Poncini.
Woolworths Boys Surf Camp 14-16th March Participants:
Koda Killorn
EVENT 1 - Northern Beaches, NSW
Taj Simon
EVENT 2 - Cronulla, NSW
Jarvis Earle
EVENT 3 - Kiama, NSW
Touma Cameron
EVENT 4 - Coffs Harbour, NSW
Zeph Lamperd
EVENT 5 - Ocean Grove, VIC
King Cairns
EVENT 6 - Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
Elijah Magner
EVENT 7 - Sunshine Coast, QLD
Matt Boyle
EVENT 8 - Gold Coast, QLD
Dylan Vernon
EVENT 9 -Trigg, WA
Gus Lockley
EVENT 10 - Clifton Beach, TAS
Woolworths Girls Surf Camp 19-21st March Participants:
Cedar Leigh-Jones
EVENT 1 - Northern Beaches, NSW
Oceania Rogers
EVENT 2 - Cronulla, NSW
Holly Wishart
EVENT 3 - Kiama, NSW
Charlize Everitt
EVENT 4 - Coffs Harbour, NSW
Ellie Harrison
EVENT 5 - Ocean Grove, VIC
Imogen Elliott
EVENT 6 - Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
Cali Barrett
EVENT 7 - Sunshine Coast, QLD
Lilliana Bowrey
EVENT 8 - Gold Coast, QLD
Isi Campbell
EVENT 9 -Trigg, WA
Lily Mereszka
EVENT 10 - Clifton Beach, TAS
Photo - Under 14 Girls Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps presented by Wahu Northern Beaches event 1 winner and Woolworths Surf Camp participant Cedar Leigh-Jones. Photo credit: Ethan Smith/Surfing Australia
Paper Run
Getting To The Sydney Royal Easter Show From Mona Vale
Sydney Olympic Park Major Event Buses will run each day during the 12-day Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Services start running between 07:00 and 07:30, depending on the route, each day. Services run every 15 to 25 minutes and more frequently during peak times and begin arriving at the precinct from around 08:45 each morning until 17:30 in the evening.
Return services start running from Olympic Park at around 12:45, with the last bus on each route leaving the precinct at 23:00 each night of the Show.Note: scheduled wheelchair accessible buses will travel on each route. Find the closest stop to you using the Major Event Bus interactive map.
Route To / from SOP (Forest Coach Lines)1A Warriewood via Dee Why1B Warriewood via Mona Vale
You can also view:• Sydney Olympic Park major event bus routes map (pdf 940KB)
Travel to the Royal Easter ShowAll pre-purchased ShowLink tickets include return public transport for your trip to the Royal Easter Show on any one day.You can pre-purchase your ShowLink ticket on the Sydney Royal Easter Show website. ShowLink tickets are not sold at train stations, ferry wharves or on buses.
Travel public transport with ShowLink ticketsPresent your ShowLink ticket for travel on:- Train services (bounded by Bomaderry (Nowra), Goulburn, Bathurst and Dungog stations)
- Sydney Olympic Park major event buses
- Regular bus services
- Sydney Ferries services
- Light rail services.
Keep your ShowLink ticket for your return trip home as you will need to present your ShowLink ticket or have a valid ticket when travelling on public transport.
IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION
ShowLink tickets are not available for purchase on-board transport services or at train stations. ShowLink tickets are only available at selected Woolworths outlets or online via Ticketmaster. Alternatively, you can purchase your ShowLink ticket at the Sydney Showground ticket booths located at the entry gates to the Show, however we strongly encourage you to pre-purchase your ticket where possible as there will be queues.Remember to keep your ShowLink ticket safe for your return trip home as you will need to present your ShowLink ticket or have a valid ticket when travelling on public transport.
Single day, two-day or Twilight (after 4pm entry) ShowLink tickets are available. For more information on all the available ticketing options, seeTicket types. For more information on the terms and conditions that apply to ShowLink tickets on public transport, visit transportnsw.info. Please note there are no exchanges, refunds or cancellations on purchased ShowLink tickets.
Early Bird ShowLink: Available online until 22 March 2018
Sydney Olympic Park Major Event Buses will run each day during the 12-day Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Services start running between 07:00 and 07:30, depending on the route, each day. Services run every 15 to 25 minutes and more frequently during peak times and begin arriving at the precinct from around 08:45 each morning until 17:30 in the evening.
Return services start running from Olympic Park at around 12:45, with the last bus on each route leaving the precinct at 23:00 each night of the Show.
Note: scheduled wheelchair accessible buses will travel on each route. Find the closest stop to you using the Major Event Bus interactive map.
Route To / from SOP (Forest Coach Lines)
1A Warriewood via Dee Why
1B Warriewood via Mona Vale
You can also view:
• Sydney Olympic Park major event bus routes map (pdf 940KB)
Travel to the Royal Easter Show
All pre-purchased ShowLink tickets include return public transport for your trip to the Royal Easter Show on any one day.
You can pre-purchase your ShowLink ticket on the Sydney Royal Easter Show website. ShowLink tickets are not sold at train stations, ferry wharves or on buses.
Travel public transport with ShowLink tickets
Present your ShowLink ticket for travel on:
- Train services (bounded by Bomaderry (Nowra), Goulburn, Bathurst and Dungog stations)
- Sydney Olympic Park major event buses
- Regular bus services
- Sydney Ferries services
- Light rail services.
Keep your ShowLink ticket for your return trip home as you will need to present your ShowLink ticket or have a valid ticket when travelling on public transport.
IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION
ShowLink tickets are not available for purchase on-board transport services or at train stations. ShowLink tickets are only available at selected Woolworths outlets or online via Ticketmaster. Alternatively, you can purchase your ShowLink ticket at the Sydney Showground ticket booths located at the entry gates to the Show, however we strongly encourage you to pre-purchase your ticket where possible as there will be queues.
Remember to keep your ShowLink ticket safe for your return trip home as you will need to present your ShowLink ticket or have a valid ticket when travelling on public transport.
Single day, two-day or Twilight (after 4pm entry) ShowLink tickets are available. For more information on all the available ticketing options, seeTicket types. For more information on the terms and conditions that apply to ShowLink tickets on public transport, visit transportnsw.info. Please note there are no exchanges, refunds or cancellations on purchased ShowLink tickets.
Early Bird ShowLink: Available online until 22 March 2018
Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Exhibition
The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, will open at the Australian National Maritime Museum on 13 April 2018 in time for the school holidays. The 100 extraordinary images celebrate the diversity of the natural world, from intimate animal portraits to astonishing wild landscapes.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights for over 50 years.
Winning images are selected for their creativity, originality and technical excellence. Launching in 1965 and attracting 361 entries, today the competition receives almost 50,000 entries from 92 countries highlighting its enduring appeal. This year’s 100 award-winning images will embark on an international tour that allows them to be seen by millions of people.
Sir Michael Dixon, Director of the Natural History Museum, says ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one of our most successful touring exhibitions, enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. The awarded images shine a spotlight on nature photography as a work of art, whilst raising questions about our crucial role in shaping a sustainable future.’
Kevin Sumption, director of the Australian National Maritime Museum, said the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition held broad appeal due to its rich subject matter showcasing the diversity of life. “This is one of the most innovative and popular photographic competitions of its kind and we are delighted that Sydney audiences can once again enjoy these unforgettable and inspiring images at the Australian National Maritime Museum.”
And to make the exhibition extra special Sydney visitors can also come face to face with equipment used by celebrated Australian shark photographers Ron and Valerie Taylor and experience the brand new Oceans 3D film which runs in the museum’s theatre (check the museum’s website for schedule).
The 53rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition is a featured exhibition of Head On Photo Festival 2018 and opens on 30 March 2017. Exhibition labels are available digitally in six languages. Tickets are $20 adults, $12 concessions/children and $50. For further information about the exhibition visit www.anmm.gov.au/wildlife.
The Australian National Maritime Museum, in Darling Harbour, is open from 9.30am to 5pm daily. All enquiries (02) 9298 3777 or visit www.anmm.gov.au.
Image: © Qing Lin - The Insiders
The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, will open at the Australian National Maritime Museum on 13 April 2018 in time for the school holidays. The 100 extraordinary images celebrate the diversity of the natural world, from intimate animal portraits to astonishing wild landscapes.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights for over 50 years.
Winning images are selected for their creativity, originality and technical excellence. Launching in 1965 and attracting 361 entries, today the competition receives almost 50,000 entries from 92 countries highlighting its enduring appeal. This year’s 100 award-winning images will embark on an international tour that allows them to be seen by millions of people.
Sir Michael Dixon, Director of the Natural History Museum, says ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one of our most successful touring exhibitions, enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. The awarded images shine a spotlight on nature photography as a work of art, whilst raising questions about our crucial role in shaping a sustainable future.’
Kevin Sumption, director of the Australian National Maritime Museum, said the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition held broad appeal due to its rich subject matter showcasing the diversity of life. “This is one of the most innovative and popular photographic competitions of its kind and we are delighted that Sydney audiences can once again enjoy these unforgettable and inspiring images at the Australian National Maritime Museum.”
And to make the exhibition extra special Sydney visitors can also come face to face with equipment used by celebrated Australian shark photographers Ron and Valerie Taylor and experience the brand new Oceans 3D film which runs in the museum’s theatre (check the museum’s website for schedule).
The 53rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition is a featured exhibition of Head On Photo Festival 2018 and opens on 30 March 2017. Exhibition labels are available digitally in six languages. Tickets are $20 adults, $12 concessions/children and $50. For further information about the exhibition visit www.anmm.gov.au/wildlife.
The Australian National Maritime Museum, in Darling Harbour, is open from 9.30am to 5pm daily. All enquiries (02) 9298 3777 or visit www.anmm.gov.au.
Image: © Qing Lin - The Insiders
Taking Action: Strengthening Aged Care Homes Quality Compliance
NSW Government Strategy Drives Healthy And Creative Ageing
Beating The Flu Bug: "It's In Your Hands"
2016 Census Homelessness Estimates
14 March, 2018: Media release - The Hon. Pru Goward MP
Minister for Family and Community Services
Minister for Social Housing
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Today’s release of the latest estimates of homelessness from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows there are some emerging issues, which will require investigation and demonstrates why homelessness is a key priority for the NSW Government.
I am pleased to see more people are accessing supported accommodation. The data shows a 19 per cent increase in the number of people at risk of homelessness in supported accommodation but there is always more work to do.
The census data has shown an emerging issue of overcrowding, which was the main contributor to the increase in the homelessness population, particularly in the inner-city [with the number of people living in severely crowded dwellings rising by 328 per cent from 2011- 2016].
The NSW Government will investigate this issue and what needs to be done to address it. The data states that 45 per cent of all homeless people in NSW are living in overcrowded dwellings that exceed occupancy standards. More than half of the people in NSW living in severely overcrowded dwellings in 2016 were born in Asia, and one in five people in severely overcrowded dwellings in NSW was a tertiary student.
Reducing homelessness is a priority for the NSW Government. Our current investment in homelessness services and programs, which is a record investment, has increased by 43 per cent over four years.
The 2017/18 Budget included a record $1.1 billion to support people experiencing homelessness and improve services for social housing tenants.
This included $198 million for Specialist Homelessness Services, homelessness programs and critical referral services such as Link2home and $22 million over four years to provide an additional support packages and accommodation for rough sleepers in locations across NSW.
In the past twelve months, the NSW Government introduced more proactive outreach programs that take services directly to people sleeping rough – resulting in 200 people from the inner city accessing permanent and stable social housing.
A recent summer street count identified 329 people sleeping rough in the inner city - 104 less than the 433 people counted in February 2017.
Big Tobacco Is Targeting The World's Most Vulnerable To Increase Profits, Report Finds
March 8, 2018: American Cancer Society
The sixth edition of The Tobacco Atlas and its companion websiteTobaccoAtlas.org finds the tobacco industry is increasingly targeting vulnerable populations in emerging markets, such as Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, where people are not protected by strong tobacco control regulations. The report was released at the 17th World Congress on Tobacco OR Health in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Atlas, which is co-authored by American Cancer Society (ACS) and Vital Strategies, graphically details the scale of the tobacco epidemic around the globe. It shows where progress has been made in tobacco control, and describes the latest products and tactics being deployed by the tobacco industry to grow its profits and delay or derail tobacco control efforts. In response to an evolving tobacco control landscape, the Sixth Edition includes new chapters on regulating novel products, partnerships, tobacco industry tactics and countering the industry.
In 2016 alone, tobacco use caused over 7.1 million deaths worldwide (5.1 million in men, 2.0 million in women). Most of these deaths were attributable to cigarette smoking, while 884,000 were related to secondhand smoke. The increase in tobacco-related disease and death has been outpaced by the increase in industry profits. The combined profits of the world's biggest tobacco companies exceeded US $62.27 billion in 2015, the last year on record for all the major companies. This is equivalent to US $9,730 for the death of each smoker, an increase of 39% since the last Atlas was published, when the figure stood at US$7,000.
"Every death from tobacco is preventable, and every government has the power reduce the human and economic toll of the tobacco epidemic," said Jeffrey Drope, PhD, co-editor and author of The Atlas and Vice President, Economic and Health Policy Research at the American Cancer Society. "It starts by resisting the influence of the industry and implementing proven tobacco control policies. The Atlas shows that progress is possible in every region of the world. African countries in particular are at a critical point -- both because they are targets of the industry but also because many have opportunity to strengthen policies and act before smoking is at epidemic levels."
"Tobacco causes harm at every stage of its life cycle, from cultivation to disposal," said Dr. Neil Schluger, Vital Strategies' Senior Advisor for Science and co-editor and author of The Atlas. "It is linked to an ever-increasing list of diseases, burdens health systems, and exacerbates poverty, especially when a breadwinner falls ill and dies from tobacco use. At a conservative estimate, there are more than 7 million tobacco-related deaths and global economic costs of two trillion dollars (PPP) each year, not including costs such as those caused by second-hand smoke and the environmental and health damages of tobacco farming. The only way to avert this harm is for all governments to vigorously implement the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and to enforce the proven strategies that reduce tobacco use."
Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke costs the global economy more than two trillion dollars (PPP) every year -- equivalent to almost 2% of the world's total economic output. More than 1.1 billion people are current smokers, while 360 million people use smokeless tobacco. Low and middle income countries represent over 80% of tobacco users and tobacco-related deaths, placing an increased share of tobacco-related costs on those who can least afford it. A growing proportion of that burden will fall on countries across Africa in the future, if governments do not implement tobacco control policies now to prevent it.
Africa is at a tipping point
The Sixth Edition of The Tobacco Atlas reveals that the tobacco industry deliberately targets countries that lack tobacco control laws and exploits governments, farmers and vulnerable populations across Africa. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, consumption increased by 52% between 1980 and 2016 (from 164 billion to 250 billion sticks). This is being driven by population growth and aggressive tobacco marketing in countries like Lesotho, where prevalence is estimated to have increased from 15% in 2004 to 54% in 2015. Economic growth has increased consumers' ability to afford tobacco products and there is a lack of tobacco control interventions to deter tobacco use. Furthermore, in countries like Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Senegal, smoking is now more common among youth than adults -- potentially increasing the future health and economic burden of tobacco in these countries.
Yet Africa has also seen real successes in tobacco control recently, according to The Tobacco Atlas. Ghana and Madagascar have introduced comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Kenya, and Madagascar have implemented graphic warnings on cigarettes, an important intervention in countries with multiple dialects and for citizens in those countries who have low levels of literacy. South Africa has implemented consecutive tobacco tax increases to deter consumption and Kenya has implemented a highly effective track-and-trace system to track and reduce illicit trade. These countries are setting an example to others across the world.
Other examples of effective tobacco control policies
- In spite of the tobacco industry's efforts to impede progress, global cigarette consumption and tobacco use prevalence have declined recently thanks to an overall increase in the adoption of proven and innovative tobacco control measures. Tobacco taxes alone could deliver a 30% relative reduction in smoking prevalence by 2025. This would save 38 million lives and $16.9 trillion, just from former smokers becoming healthier.
- In 2013, the Philippines implemented one of the largest tobacco tax increases in a low and middle income country, leading more than 1 million smokers to quit. Kenya implemented a successful track and trace system for tobacco products, which helped to stem the illicit market.
- Turkey's comprehensive tobacco control strategy reduced smoking prevalence from 39.3% in 2000 to 25.9% in 2015.
- Analysis by Australia's government found that plain packaging alone resulted in 108,228 fewer smokers between December 2012 and September 2015.
- Brazil has banned all tobacco additives such as flavors used to attract children. WHO predicts that there will be 3 million fewer smokers in Brazil between 2015 and 2025.
"We are proud that our two organizations have worked together for almost two decades to engender a healthier world," said Dr Otis Brawley, Chief Medical Officer, American Cancer Society. "The data in The Tobacco Atlas depict a sobering look at the daunting magnitude of the epidemic, but also show considerable progress in places where governments take up solutions that are proven to work. For the first time, more than two billion people are protected by at least one WHO MPOWER measure, but very few countries have taken up every measure. The data are clear that measures like raising taxes and enacting 100% smoke-free air laws indisputably work, but too many governments have not yet committed to adopting them. Our life-saving opportunity lies in that gap."
"The ultimate path to improved tobacco control is political will," said José Luis Castro, President and CEO, Vital Strategies. "Strong tobacco control policies deliver a significant return on investment, and The Tobacco Atlas offers the best and most recent data on the tobacco epidemic as a resource for governments to pursue effective strategies. The answer does not lie with the industry: as The Atlas makes clear, there is a complete disconnect between the tobacco industry's claims about harm reduction and its actual work to grow tobacco use among vulnerable populations.
Governments must be accountable to their citizens in reducing tobacco use and improving health. They must prepare to rebuff the tobacco industry's challenges to legislation, seek the appropriate assistance to build capacity, and be transparent about the industry's inevitable approaches. We urge governments, advocates, organizations and people who care about health, the environment and development to stand together to reduce this man-made epidemic in pursuit of a healthier planet."
Saving Lives With Platypus Milk
March 15, 2018
A breakthrough by Australian scientists has brought the introduction of an unlikely hero in the global fight against antibiotic resistance a step closer; the humble platypus.
Due to its unique features - duck-billed, egg-laying, beaver-tailed and venomous- the platypus has long exerted a powerful appeal to scientists, making it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology.
In 2010 scientists discovered that platypus milk contained unique antibacterial properties that could be used to fight superbugs.
Now a team of researchers at CSIRO working with Deakin University have solved a puzzle that helps explain why platypus milk is so potent - bringing it one step closer to being used to save lives.
The discovery was made by replicating a special protein contained in platypus milk in a laboratory setting.
"Platypus are such weird animals that it would make sense for them to have weird biochemistry," CSIRO scientist and lead author on the research published in Structural Biology Communications, Dr Janet Newman said.
"The platypus belongs to the monotreme family, a small group of mammals that lay eggs and produce milk to feed their young. By taking a closer look at their milk, we’ve characterised a new protein that has unique antibacterial properties with the potential to save lives."
As platypus don't have teats, they express milk onto their belly for the young to suckle, exposing the mother’s highly nutritious milk to the environment, leaving babies susceptible to the perils of bacteria.
Deakin University’s Dr Julie Sharp said researchers believed this was why the platypus milk contained a protein with rather unusual and protective antibacterial characteristics.
"We were interested to examine the protein’s structure and characteristics to find out exactly what part of the protein was doing what," she said.
Employing the marvels of molecular biology, the Synchrotron, and CSIRO's state of the art Collaborative Crystallisation Centre (C3), the team successfully made the protein, then deciphered its structure to get a better look at it.
What they found was a unique, never-before-seen 3D fold.
Due to its ringlet-like formation, the researchers have dubbed the newly discovered protein fold the ‘Shirley Temple’, in tribute to the former child-actor’s distinctive curly hair.
Dr Newman said finding the new protein fold was pretty special.
"Although we’ve identified this highly unusual protein as only existing in monotremes, this discovery increases our knowledge of protein structures in general, and will go on to inform other drug discovery work done at the Centre," she said.
In 2014 the World Health Organisation released a report highlighting the scale of the global threat posed by antibiotic resistance, pleading for urgent action to avoid a "post-antibiotic era", where common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill.
The team of scientists at CSIRO and Deakin are seeking collaborators to take the potentially life-saving platypus research to the next stage.
Background
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria that were once responsive to antimicrobial treatments like antibiotics build up a resistance and then pass that resistance on to their next generation. This leads to ineffective treatments and more persistent infections, caused by these resistant 'Superbugs'.
The Shirley Temple protein -this is the first time a protein structure with such a fold has found, highlighting some of the unusual evolutionary characteristics of monotremes and identifying them as a source of novel proteins.
Australian Submariners To Breathe Easier
March 13, 2018: CSIRO
Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has joined forces with technical and engineering services company QinetiQ on a ground breaking project that aims to let submarines stay submerged longer while using less power and providing better conditions for sailors.
All thanks to an advanced crystal technology called MOFs.
If successful, this cutting edge new technology could form part of the Australian Government’s Future Submarines Program (SEA1000), the largest and most complex military program ever undertaken in Australia.
SEA1000 involves the design and construction in Adelaide of 12 highly advanced submarines with a range in excess of 33,000 kilometres and capable of operating independently for up to 80 days.
For a non-nuclear submarine those figures are already impressive.
CSIRO and QinetiQ will work on making it even more so.
CSIRO Project Leader Associate Professor Matthew Hill said “Together, we’ll be testing whether advanced materials known as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) can allow submarines to remain submerged longer. MOFs have the largest internal surface area of any known substance, which can be optimised to capture gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2).”
“The more CO2 MOFs can capture and store, the longer a submarine can potentially remain underwater, undetected.”
QinetiQ Australia Managing Director Greg Barsby added “If proven, MOFs could give Australian submarines an edge: a performance advantage that lets them dive longer while placing less demand on a submarines precious space and weight, as well as critical systems such as power.”
“We’re focused on creating real capability gains for the Australian Defence Forces. This project plays to both partners’ strengths, our decades of experience and expertise in submarine operations and atmospheres; plus CSIRO’s unmatched and patented ability to make MOFs in large volumes, cheaply and with great precision.”
As submarines are an enclosed space, CO2 expelled by the crews’ breathing and other chemical processes builds up and can eventually become toxic.
Carbon dioxide scrubbers avoid that, by removing CO2 from a submarine’s atmosphere and storing it for later release.
Current CO2 scrubbers though take up a large amount of the limited space, weight and power available in submarines.
They can also generate corrosive by-products, which have both health and sustainment implications in the close confines of a submarine.
A MOFs based system would use a smaller amount of space, place less demands on a sub’s systems and wouldn’t rely on damaging gases.
It could also be incorporated into existing submarines such as Australia’s current Collins class to extend their operational life and capabilities.
A prototype CO2 capture and storage device, developed by CSIRO