WIN A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION TO AUSTRALIA’S SURFING LIFE MAGAZINE!
WIN A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION TO AUSTRALIA’S SURFING LIFE MAGAZINE!
Just make a donation to the ‘Boab to Break Tour’ and you will be in the draw to win.
Please donate here… www.surfrider.org.au
Winner will be notified and name published on the Surfrider Kimberley Branch Blog.
http://surfriderkimberleybranch.wordpress.com
For further information go to the Surfrider Foundation Australia website www.surfrider.org.au
or please contact the Surfrider Kimberley Branch President-Clare Alcock M: 0429 511 248
Information Wanted – Plastic Bag Free towns, shires, councils and municipalities
A call out to the ocean-loving community –
Torquay, home of the famous Bells Beach, on the Surf Coast in regional Victoria, Austalia, plan to go Plastic Bag Free by August 2011. We are calling out to those with information on how other towns, shires, councils, or municipailities in Australia achieved this. Can you help us?
Yes? Please email info@surfrider.org.au with the subject heading: Plastic Bag Free Torquay”
National Conference – November 19-21, 2010
Don’t miss it! Surfrider Foundation National Conference and AGM at North Narrabeen 19-21 November 2010. This years theme is We Love Waves.
This year’s Surfrider Foundation National Conference and AGM weekend is shaping up to be an absolute cracker! Some of the speakers already confirmed include Ian Cohen (Greens State MP)), Vaughan Blakey (editor of Surfing World) and Reuben Meerman (ABC’s Surfing Scientist). Former world surfing champion, Barton Lynch, will also be attending.
Loads of educational and social activities are scheduled for the weekend – which corresponds with the Manly Festival of Surfing. Things kick off with a drinks function at 6pm on Friday 19 November and will conclude with the Surfrider Foundation Annual General Meeting, finishing at 3pm on Sunday 21
The Surfing Scientist
November.
Information regarding registration and the conference program will appear on the Surfrider Foundation website in the first week of September.
http://www.surfrider.org.au/
An event not to be missed! We look forward to seeing you there.
For further details contact Andy Myers (Conference Co-ordinator) on 0409 715 750.
We Love Waves
Keep an eye on surfrider.org.au for further updates on this event.
Surfrider Foundation National Conference
November 19, 20 and 21
North Narrabeen, NSW
Sydneys Northern Beaches
The Latest from Melbourne Branch
Melbourne Branch VIC
The Melbourne branch has been reborn and is about to formally kick off.
On behalf of the new branch, a big shout out to Kristy and the crew at the national office for helping us get set up, and also to Bill Pemberton and others from the previous incarnation of Surfrider Melbourne for the work that precedes us.
Ultimately Surfrider Melbourne is aiming to protect and enhance Port Phillip Bay, its beaches and foreshores from Werribee to Frankston, but because this is a reasonable slice of geography, we’ll be focusing our early activities closer to the city.
Over 3.2 million people live around the shore of the Bay, making it Australia’s most densely populated catchment, and obviously brings with it a few environmental issues.
One of those is litter, and we’re holding our first planning meeting to figure out when and where our first beach clean up is, so if you’re up for it, get along and get involved. (6pm Thursday September 2 at Kindness House, 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Map: http://tinyurl.com/2e2oe68 )
We’re also keen to connect with a few more of the people who make up the estimated 40 million day visits a year to the coast of Port Phillip Bay, and clue them into the fact that Surfrider is for anyone who cares about our waves, oceans and beaches. Or as Kristy puts it, if you love the ocean then you’re eligible to join the Surfrider family.
On the subject of waves and the Bay: whilst there’s great wind and kite-surfing to be had, any surfing is usually the domain of the super enthusiastic/fairly desperate and transport-less types (ie. grommets), who brave hurricane force wind driven arctic conditions to grab a few sloppy two-footers. That said, I recently came across the following pic of some little southern suburb peelers, which you’ve gotta admit are pretty inviting – especially by Bay standards!
Andrew Foran
Melbourne Branch President
Melbourne
Branch Updates – Winter 2010
Lord Howe Island NSW
• Increased Fishing Pressure is threatening the Lord Howe Island Marine Park
• The Marine Park is under review with 3 proposed zoning plans, information is available at the Marine Parks Association website- www.mpa.nsw.gov.au
Capricorn Coast Branch QLD
• Beach Clean up and Weed Management at the Stockyard and at Big Dune
• Ongoing Great Keppel Island opposition
• Opposing a proposed Coal port at Balaclava Island, an island situated in the mouth of Fitzroy River.
• Upcoming Annual General meeting, date to be advised.
Geelong Branch VIC
• The Save Bowen Heads Alliance is continuing their 3 year campaign to protect the Ramsar Wetland.
Warrnambool Branch VIC
• Has just held the 1st Round of a three Rounds Surfing Series, the next round is set to be held in Spring.
• Participated with Boardriders, local Land and Coast care in National Tree Day, 30 members participated in planting new vegetation.
• Members film night was held with 75 members attending for the screening of Breaking down the door and Free as a dog.
• Heavy Rains have caused excessive debris prompting beach clean ups
• Up and coming Girls go Surfing Event to be announced, for more information Contact Paul on 0423880633 or Tom on 0407908982
Wyndham Branch VIC
- launched a fundraiser for the Boab to Break tour, check out www.surfrider.org.au/boabtobreak for more info
- actively testing and pursuing water quality issues in and around the Kimberley region
- running learn to surf days and celebrated NAIDOC week
- adopted a Keep Australia Beautiful spot
- check out the latest on Wyndham at their blog here: http://surfriderkimberleybranch.wordpress.com/
Melbourne VIC
- aims to protect and enhance Port Phillip Bay, its beaches and foreshores from Werribee to Frankston, with focus on city area to start with
- Over 3.2 million people live around the shore of the Bay, making it Australia’s most densely populated catchment
- Litter meeting 6pm Thursday September 2 at Kindness House, 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
- 40 million day visits a year to the coast of Port Phillip Bay
- little southern suburb peelers in the bay, photo in link
Margaret River, WA
- ELLENSBROOK PLANTING DAY – Over 500 coastal plants planted at Ellensbrook beach, with additional brushing laid, extra track marking and signage installed, attracting over 30 volunteers.
- OIL CAMPAIGN – MR Surfrider held an anti oil drilling rally at Reuther Park, Margaret River attracting national media coverage and over 300 people. Large scale campaign follows this initial action.
- INTERNATIONAL SURF DAY – Brushing laid and large blow out areas revegetated at the Margaret River Mouth attracting over 35 volunteers. Marine Debris collection also undertaken.
- COASTAL SIGNAGE PROJECT – Large scale coastal interpretive signage project moving in conjunction with DEC and SWCC to improve coastal visitor behaviour at popular South and West coast surfing and recreational areas
- FATAL SHARK ATTACK – Many MR Surfrider members attend Nick Edwards memorial paddle out at Gracetown. Amazing community spirit and strength of Nick’s family – he will be greatly missed.
BOAB TO BREAK TOUR 2010 – Kimberley Branch
August 24, 2010 by kristy
Filed under Events, Fundraisers, Latest
MEDIA RELEASE
Surfrider Foundation-Kimberley Branch
BOAB TO BREAK TOUR 2010
24th August 2010- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
“Surf’s up but local Wyndham students need your help to get there!”
This October, local Wyndham children are set to go on a tour of a lifetime with non-profit organisation Surfrider Foundation.
The tour is a unique initiative of the Surfrider Kimberley Branch giving local Aboriginal children from Wydham in far north Western Australia the opportunity to broaden their horizons and participate in activities they have never experience before.
The year 4/5 students from Wyndham District High School will learn how to surf with Margaret River Surf School, care for the environment with Surfrider and Cape to Cape Explorer Tours, cultuarally immerse themselves and participate in the adventure challenge Anaconda Junior Survivor.
They will have the opportunity to share their culture whilst learning about other ways of life, oceans, waves and beaches and understanding the importance and signi cance of their own nationalities philosophies. Surfrider Foundation is a non-pro t organisation dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Australia’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through CARE: Conservation, Activism, Research and Education.
The Kimberley Branch covers areas from Broome to Wyndham, starting at Western Australia’s northernmost town. Aiming to not only protect and preserve the ocean and waves but also other bodies of water including Rivers, Billabongs and Creeks.
To start with, Surfrider Kimberley Branch are going to focus on ‘Marlgu Billabong’ a wetland sanctuary for migratory birds, which is a part of Parry’s Creek Nature Reserve along with nurturing the Port and King River where local families come to sh, carve boab’s and spend time together. The environmental group also run other events such as clean ups of local areas, recycling workshops, learning how to surf and other educational activities.
Download full media kit here
Download high resolution image 1
Download high resolution image 2
Activities include:
· 3 day course: Learning to surf at Redgate Beach with Margaret River Surf School
· Bush Walking the Cape with ‘Cape to Cape Explorer Tours’
· Rehabilitation at Ellensbrook with ‘Surfrider Foundation- Margaret River Branch’
· ‘Surfrider Foundation’ Beach Clean Up at Gnarabup
· A day at Margaret River Primary School
· ‘Margaret River Classic’ at Surfer’s Point
· ‘Anaconda Junior Survivor’ in Augusta
For More Information, Sponsorship and Donations…
Please contact:
Clare Alcock-President Surfrider Kimberley Branch
E: clarealcock@live.com.au
M: 0429 511 248
Surfrider-Kimberley Branch Blog:
http://surfriderkimberleybranch.wordpress.com
Surfrider Website:
www.surfrider.org.au
Download high resolution image
http://www.surfrider.org.au/2010/08/boabtobreak/surfrider_boabtobreaktour_marsh_photobyclarealcock/
Marine Sanctuaries, Not Oil – Interview
An Interview with Margaret River Branch Member Steven Andrews, heading the Marine Sanctuaries, Not Oil Campaign. Interview by Angela Thomas.
Steve Andrews, Marine Sanctuaries, Not Oil
Who has allowed the decision for oil drilling in Margaret River to take place?
Head Minister Martin Ferguson and the Federal Government
What effect will it have on the marine life ?
What are the chances of the Oil drilling being stopped before it takes place?
It’s still at the early stages so there is a chance that if we keep up the events and keep up the support from Australia and the community it could be very successful
Margs rally event
What are your expectations for your next Protest?
We have planned a great protest on the beach with a helicopter with a phrase flying over us to send a message that we would like to keep our environment as it is and only improve it by creating a marine park . We would like to reach around 300-400 people from the area to be there supporting and protesting
What difference will it make to the area if a marine sanctuary is declared?
If this becomes a marine park it will protect the area and ensure oil drilling isn’t possible therefore there will be no risk of our marine life and beach to be a risk of damage
When was the decision made that oil drilling was going to take place?
Now that the decision had been made when will the drilling begin?
As its only still early it shouldn’t be going ahead with for another year of two which gives us plenty of time to go against
When the drilling starts how long will the operation continue for?
Leases can go for quite a while the drilling could be there for only a few years but also have been known to go for hundreds of years
When will your next rally or campaign be?
In June is our next big protest
Where about exactly is the drilling in Margaret River going to take place?
The drilling is going to take place 80-85km offshore of Margaret River in Western Australia which is not far out
How can readers around Australia help?
Were going to keep running campaigns and protesting so for everyone to support that and get involved would be great.
How much of an impact will the oil drilling have on the ocean, reefs, marine life and swell?
It would have a major impact. If the oil was to spill it could spread from Margaret river up north further to Perth and effect areas there as well
Steve will be presenting on Thursday September 30 at the Australian Association of Environmental Educators in Canberra.
Donate Now to Protect Margaret River
August 16, 2010 by kristy
Filed under Fundraisers, Latest
SURFERS WANT TO FILLET ABBOTT
MEDIA RELEASE: July 28, 2010
The peak coastal organisation Surfrider Foundation Australia has come out strongly against Tony Abbot’s sudden ban on new marine parks and has accused him of “eco vandalism” and “dog-fish-whistling”.
“The claim that marine parks harm tourism and fishing is totally untrue and irresponsible” said the Chairman of the Surfrider Foundation Australia Board Dr Rex Campbell.
“Fishing and fish stocks improve greatly near areas where marine parks and sanctuaries have been created.”
“While Mr Abbott was filleting the 4kg Barramundi yesterday, I had to ask myself, was he fish-mongering or scare-mongering?” said Dr. Campbell. “Plus I wondered if the barramundi got to be 4kg only because it grew up in a protected sanctuary?”.
Surfrider Foundation is calling on all political parties to proclaim more marine sanctuaries, not less, to ensure protection against overfishing, oil spills, shipping hazards, whaling, offshore pollution and to grow tourism.
It would appear that Mr Abbott is purposefully blurring the line between marine parks and No Take zones, which typically are a small percentage of any marine park. Marine parks themselves constitute a miniscule amount of Australia’s nearly 36,000 kilometres mainland coastline and the 24,000 kilometres of island coastline.
Marine parks are multiple-use, meaning that a wide range of activities, including fishing, are allowed in many areas.
Marine sanctuaries are smaller areas within the marine park and are no-take, meaning that fishing and extractive activities such as oil drilling, is not allowed.
“The fishing industry scare campaign surrounding marine parks has been very successful, but the facts do not back up the fears. Marine sanctuaries actually help tourism and help recreational fishing.”
“I was heavily into fishing and diving long before I rode my first wave”, says Surfrider Foundation Australia Director Gene Hardy.
“I’ve recently been holidaying in an area within the iconic Ningaloo Marine Park, and enjoyed incredible fishing near large marine sanctuary areas.”
“It’s a simple concept, preserve some reasonably large areas as breeding / conservation areas and you are going to get spill over into your mixed fishing zones.”
“It’s not about stopping people fishing – sanctuaries work.”
“In fact the last thing anybody wants, especially serious fisherman, is to decimate our fish stocks so that no one can go fishing.”
“I want my daughter’s children to be able to catch their dinner the same way I have.” Said Mr Hardy.
“Surfrider Foundation fights for a clean oceans, not “cleaned out” oceans and calls on the Coalition to review this policy as this proposition simply will not stand up. Where these things are in place, coastal communities do well.” said Dr Campbell.
Media contact:
Dr Rex Campbell 0423 889 899
Brendan Donohoe 0422 900 501
info@surfrider.org.au
More Information:
Marine parks are multiple-use, meaning that a wide range of activities, including fishing, are allowed in many areas. Marine sanctuaries are smaller areas within the marine park and are no-take, meaning that fishing and extractive activities such as oil drilling, is not allowed. They protect fish stocks and provide safe breeding grounds for fish and other species. Spillover from these sanctuary zones enables sustainable fisheries and allows for fishers to come back year after year and catch their quotas. Sanctuaries become an ‘engine room’ for fish production. One recent study shows that one large female dhufish of 98cm was capable of producing the equivalent number of eggs as 11 60cm dhufish. (StJohn, 2009).
Ningaloo Marine Park in North Western Australia is an example of a marine park. 34% or 88, 365 acres are made up of sanctuary zones. The remaining 66% is made up of general use, recreation, and special purpose zones. Recreational fishing is allowed in all of those areas. Rottnest Island off of Perth hosts a successful marine park and the one of the sanctuary zones (Kingston Reef) have 50x more legal lobsters and 100x higher egg production (Babcock et al., 2007).
Babcock, R.C., Phillips, J.C., Lourey, M., Clapin, G. Increased density, biomass and egg production in an unfished population of Western Rock Lobster (Panulirus cygnus) at Rottnest Island, Western Australia. CSIRO Marine Research, Private Bag No. 5, Wembley 6913 WA, Australia
R. Lenanton, J. StJohn*, I. Keay, C. Wakefield, G. Jackson, B. Wise and D. Gaughan Spatial scales of exploitation among populations of demersal scalefish: implications for management. Part 2: Stock structure and biology of two indicator species, West Australian dhufish (Glaucosoma hebraicum) and pink snapper (Pagrus auratus), in the West Coast Bioregion Final FRDC Report – Project 2003/052
Surfrider Welcome the Plastiki!
The Plastiki in background, with Expedition leader David de Rothschild and Surfrider Foundation Australia GM Kristy Theissling
Surfrider Foundation Australia were proud to welcome and cheer on the arrival of The Plastiki at Darling Harbour this morning.
The Plastiki and crew have reached the end of their epic voyage which has taken them through the Pacific Ocean on an 8,000 nautical mile adventure lasting over 130 days! The team arrived midday today at Sydney’s Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour to an excited crowd of friends, family and supporters, including members of Surfrider Foundation Australia.
The Plastiki cabin has been home to 10 members of crew over the 4 month journey; Skipper Jo Royle, Co-Skipper David Thomson, Expedition leader David de Rothschild, Olav Heyerdahl, Graham Hill, Luca Babini, Matthew Grey, Max Jourdan, Singeli Agnew and Vern Moen. All of whom have witnessed the polluted waters of the Pacific, affirming their mission to share their experience with the watching world and most importantly highlight solutions to protect our oceans and beat waste.
For more information on the Plastiki check out theplastiki.com
Surfrider reiterrate the Plastiki’s message of Reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink use of single-use plastics in Australia.
