As regular beach and waterway users, sometimes we may underestimate the role that dune plants play along the shoreline. We have important pioneer sand-stabilising species such as beach spinifex, goats foot, pig face and fan flower that capture and hold windblown sand along the fore dunes. This captured sand can act as a reserve during large storm and erosion events. These plants are generally ground cover with roots that lock the sand in place as the last line of defence and help with the formation of new dunes. Without them in place, dunes would be susceptible to erosion and we risk losing our beaches.

We have all seen the “no-wash zone” signs along Gold Coast waterways and we need to be aware of the impact our wash can have along the foreshore. Apart from the fines that are in place for ignoring waterway regulations, there is evidence to suggest boat wake can lead to shoreline erosion in fragile areas. Anytime our boats are in the transitional pattern, our stern displacement increases and this results in the most destructive wake wave from the boat leading to bank erosion. Be aware of this and take steps to minimise the damage by reducing your wash in vulnerable areas, observe speed limits, transition quickly into planing speed, and report any shoreline erosion to authorities. Just remember, if your wash is larger than the natural waves you would find in that area (wind and swell assisted), then there is the risk you are causing the problem.

The Griffith Centre for Coastal Management in partnership with the City of Gold Coast council, have been working towards the revegetation of Gold Coast dune areas. The programs from the centre are BeachCare and DuneWatch and require volunteers to actively participate on Saturday mornings to assist with the regeneration of dunes sites ranging from Paradise Point to Rainbow Bay. Our fragile beach environments encourage all regular users to actively help in protection of the ecosystem. Stay clear of the dune plants when you berth at a beach, and leave no litter behind. Come along to one of our BeachCare events and learn more about the Gold Coast dune environments and become a champion in your local area!

By James Gullison, Griffith Centre for Coastal Management

/Sep-Dec2017

The post Waking a Difference appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

1. Reduce your carbon footprint

Efficiency in engine power is key. While solar-powered engines are ideal, being a petrol engine user does not exempt you from caring for the environment. Even if you use petrol, you can still manage the way your engine works. Ensure that your engine is well maintained and cleaned as often as you use it. This not only provides efficient driving, but it also encourages longer engine life.

2. Watch your wake

Time and time again, we are reminded to watch our wake. It is particularly important to be mindful of how your wake affects other boats and other users of the water, as well as the environment. Don’t just watch your speed. Keep a good lookout (including astern), and slow down when you see vessels and persons that are vulnerable. Moreover, wakes from boats cause damage to fish, wildlife habitat, shorelines and shoreline structures over time.

Did you know that… A “wake” refers to the recirculating flow of water directly behind a moving vessel. A “wash,” which is a component of a wake, consists of broken or loose water, such as that tossed up by a propeller.

3. Use natural cleaning products inside and outside

By using phosphate-free biodegradable cleaning products you can minimize the impacts of greywater on the marine environment. Whenever possible, avoid discharging into the water, and conduct cleaning onshore.

Cleaning tip: Use vinegar and baking soda as your general cleaning solutions. It’s cheap and non-toxic. To keep the inside smelling good, use natural oil or aromatherapy products.

4. Dispose of waste properly.

Use hazardous waste collection facilities for disposing paints, oil, oil filters, batteries, etc. Make sure you manage sewage wastes mindfully by only using shore-side facilities to pump out sewage. Any trash or rubbish (cigarette butts, plastic bags, fishing line, etc.) on board should remain on board until you are able to dispose of them on shore.

5. Conduct maintenance checks at accredited marinas and boatyards

If possible, perform work on the boat in accredited facilities where toxic wastes can be contained. If you have to do it yourself, ensure that you are able to contain the waste by using tarps or vacuum sanders to collect drips and debris for proper disposal.

6. Know what your boat and its parts are made of

Your boat may not find its end-of-life with you, but it does help to know what it is made of. When you do have to dispose accessories or parts of your boat, you have to know how to dispose of them properly. Fibreglass, composite and plastic waste are not biodegradable, so their disposal should be conducted in professional facilities. Some boaties who are mindful of this are able to make decisions on which boat to buy based on how boats and boat parts are to be disposed of in the future.

7. Support and patronise marine businesses that are eco-conscious

There are several local marine businesses that are taking a more environmentally friendly path to running their enterprise. Whether it is reducing the use of electricity in their facilities (such as installing solar panels) or simply offering marine products that are accredited as natural and environmentally friendly, a marine business that promotes the protection of our environment through safe practices should be supported, as they will lead the way to your sustainable boating experiences.

8. Be an aquatic steward. Educate yourself and other boaties.

The health of our waterways will determine the quality of our boating experiences. If we keep our waterways and the environment around them healthy, we are in for more pleasant experiences. As people whose lifestyle revolves around the water, we are not excused from learning and educating ourselves about the environment. After all, the water that we protect is the same water that supports our boating lifestyle.

Fuelling tip: When fuelling, stop the drops. Avoid fuel spills by filling tanks slowly and catching drips with absorbent pads.

By Roselle Tenefrancia

/Sep-Dec2017

The post 8 Ways for Mindfulness in Boating appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Whether they are along the boardwalks at Paradise Point, Currumbin, Jabiru Island, Macintosh Island or the Southport Broadwater Parklands, local mangrove forests are vital to the health of our marine and freshwater environments.

Many people do not realise it but these unique ecosystems are critical for maintaining the quality of our boating and fishing experiences, supporting healthy populations of fish and maintaining the quality and clarity of our waterways.

Sometimes referred to as the ‘kidneys of the coast’, mangroves play an important role in nutrient cycling – which occurs when crabs and other animals feed on dead or decaying matter, and then return these nutrients to the environment in a form that can be used by animals higher up in the food chain, such as fish.

Mangroves also provide shelter for fish, prawns and crabs, and a place for them to give birth and raise their young. Without these critical habitats, many of the fish species you see while boating on Moreton Bay or cruising the waterways of the Gold Coast would not exist.

In fact, up to 70 per cent of the seafood we eat is dependent on mangroves at some stage, giving these forests high economic as well as recreational value. They support populations of bream, flathead, Moses perch and many others.

Every boatie and fisher loves clean water. Mangroves play an important role in reducing the impacts of boat wash by slowing wave motion down and trapping sediments. If mangroves are removed, wave action from boat wake becomes more powerful and disrupts sediment. This reduces water clarity.

To better understand the link between mangroves and the fish communities in our estuaries, Healthy Land and Water has undertaken a research project with the University of Sunshine Coast. To date, the research team has surveyed 22 estuaries in South East Queensland, gaining a clearer understanding of how estuarine habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses and areas containing woody debris or rocky outcrops support a productive marine environment.

As more people move to South East Queensland, drawn by the outdoor lifestyle benefits we enjoy, the results of this research will inform strategies that ensure the natural assets that make our region so attractive in the first place are not lost.

About Healthy Land and Water

Healthy Land and Water was formed in 2017 after two of South East Queensland’s most experienced natural resource management groups – Healthy Waterways and SEQ Catchments – merged to form one entity.

It is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working to develop science-based solutions to local environmental challenges, and to improve the sustainable use of our land and waterways.

Whether it is removing plastic and other forms of marine debris from waterways, repairing gullies and streams to reduce erosion, or harnessing the power of its extensive networks to deliver innovative real-world solutions, Healthy Land and Water works to maintain the health and resilience of our region, and the wellbeing of local communities.  

/Sep-Dec2017

The post Mangroves: For Good Boating and Fishing appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Beyond the awesome experiences offered to visitors and locals of the east coast, there is another aspect of whale watching that is of equal significance. Scientific research conducted on the species and their behaviour, as well as their environment, creates long-term benefits to whale-watching management and conservation efforts, as well as co-existence strategies.

Humpbacks & High-Rises (HHR) is running South East Queensland’s largest whale and dolphin monitoring program. They are looking after thousands of whales and dolphins in the region. Founded in 2011 on the Gold Coast by Dr Olaf Meynecke, surveys are currently being undertaken in the Gold Coast bay, Moreton Bay, and soon the Sunshine Coast.

In this interview, Dr Meynecke shares the process involved in the HHR volunteer research program.

Objectives of the research

The main objective of HHR’s work is to provide a better understanding of whales and dolphins in the region, and help translate this knowledge into improved conservation management for these iconic species. We also aim to educate and inform the public about ocean and marine life-related topics, and create awareness and interest among our community.

Methods used to gather data and information

Our team of trained volunteers use whale-watch boats to survey and monitor whales and dolphins. With the kind support of a number of operators, we have been able to collect very useful data. Our volunteers record detailed behaviour information such as dive time, and behavioural categories such as tail slashing. We also take GPS tracks during the surveys and gather physical data. Fluke and dorsal fin photographs are taken of each surveyed whale and used for identification. HHR also supports or runs a number of other projects such as the determination of health of humpback whales through the collection of blow samples and analysing samples from deceased whales.

Relevance to the community

The work we do for our community provides detailed estimation where and when whales occur along the coast. We provide data on resting hot spots and are working on a map for self-regulated go-slow zones around South East Queensland. Over the past years we have witnessed more and more newborn calves in the Gold Coast bay. They spend additional time on the surface and travel slow, if at all. Besides being a “navigational hazard”, they are also very vulnerable. Mother and calf cannot be separated, as it would certainly mean the death of the calf. Our studies have further shown that during certain weather conditions the whales come very close to shore and might be in waters of 10m where most people do not expect them.

How communities participate

Our research is a great opportunity for the boating community to participate. We have a simple online form that people can access via their phone to enter information where they sight a whale, and what it is doing there. We have a whale app called WhaleTrails available for free on GooglePlay and iTunes.

It is always a good idea to check the rules around whales and dolphins. The bottom line is 100m distance to whales, and when there is more than three boats, it is 300m. The rules do make sense because they keep both animals and people safe.

www.humpbacksandhighrises.org/get-involved/

HHR also works together with researchers from Hervey Bay and Southern Cross University as well as scientists around the country and overseas. Over the past 6 years more than 2,000 individual whales have been surveyed and 5000 fluke pictures for identification were taken.

Useful information on the “usesless” whales

Humpbacks had become ‘useless’—‘commercially extinct’—too few in numbers to make it worthwhile for the last local whaling station at Tangalooma on Moreton Island to pursue and kill them. The brief period of whaling along the east coast of Australia had proven far too efficient, killing too many whales too quickly, resulting in the inevitable population crash. It is believed that up to 95% of the east coast population was killed in the decade from 1952 to 1962. Similar exploitation of whales around the world had left many of the larger whale species verging on extinction. (www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals-az/whales.html#white_whales)

(Photo courtesy of HHR)

Sep-Dec2017

The post Giving Back to the Whales appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

The short 10-minute survey is being run by QUT on behalf of natural resource management group Healthy Land and Water, and will inform the annual Report Card on the condition and benefits of South East Queensland’s creeks, rivers, beaches and bays.

“We want to get a real picture of how people feel about their local waterways; whether they are easy to access, clean and safe to use for a range of purposes, all the things that determine how we value and relate to these natural assets,” Principle Scientist at Healthy Land and Water Dr Paul Maxwell said.

“Because of this, we want to hear from people from all walks of life, not just those who are environmentally-minded. By completing the short survey, residents will be helping us to get a more accurate picture of the way South East Queenslanders interact with local waterways.”

The annual Healthy Land and Water Report Card has been measuring the condition of South East Queensland’s waterways for nearly 20 years. Previously it was called the Healthy Waterways Report Card.

The report card provides an annual assessment of the pressures facing our waterways, their current environmental condition (A-F grade), and the level of social and economic benefit the waterways provide to local communities (1-5 star rating).

Go to http://hlw.org.au/reportcard/#/overview/2016/condition for the full list of 2016 results.

South East Queensland residents who complete the survey will automatically go into the draw to win an iPad. The competition closes on Sunday 3 August and will be drawn on Monday 4 August 2017.

The survey can be accessed by going to www.hlw.org.au.

For more information: Charles Stevens, Media and Communications Manager, Healthy Land and Water, 0488 713 340.

About Healthy Land and Water

Healthy Land and Water is a not-for-profit organisation offering expertise in environmental research, monitoring and evaluation, and in the delivery of on-ground programs in South East Queensland that deliver real-world solutions to local pressures.

The post Share your thoughts on local waterways appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

While the Seaway teems with amazing marine animals, it also hosts significant amount of marine debris – all sorts of rubbish that people simply throw away. In 2016, the image of a turtle entangled in more than 20 fishing lines posted on social media prompted a community action to clean up the Gold Coast Seaway. Sea World reported that in January this year, three turtles needed to be rescued due to fishing line entanglement, one of them found in the Seaway.

“Marine debris is a huge economic and environmental problem globally and is largely present on the Gold Coast, with the Gold Coast Seaway having the highest incidence of fishing debris in an urban area in Australia,” states the Gold Coast Marine Debris Network on its online page.

In March this year, a group of committed locals have come together to tackle the scourge of littered fishing line on the Gold Coast, launching the Tackle Bin Project. This is the first project for the newly formed Gold Coast Marine Debris Network, and the first in Queensland to be using this unique bin design. It has been made possible by funding from the Sea World Research and Recue Foundation, Healthy Land and Water, and the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.

The project involves locals to adopt one of thirteen specially designed bins, which are made in Australia of 100% recycled materials. The bins are designed to keep unwanted fishing tackle secure and allow it to be disposed of safely. They also serve to educate anglers and the wider community about the importance of correctly disposing of fishing waste.

“We have tried to be careful to ensure that the message isn’t sent to blame fishermen, but instead, to educate them about the effects that poorly discarded line may have on wildlife – something they may not have thought about or realised,” clarifies Kellie Lindsay, coordinator of the Gold Coast Marine Debris Network. “The bins are serviced by volunteers who clean and audit the bins. At first this will be done weekly and will be adjusted as necessary. We will take pictures of what we have found in the bins and use data we have collected.”

The project’s key message is that although fishing line debris can cause harm to wildlife, this problem can be easily prevented by ensuring that unwanted fishing line, hooks and used bait bags go into a bin. The project also seeks the help of the community to help spread the message, take photos of the bins being used, and spread it around on social media.

The Tackle Bin Project is testament to the commitment of the Gold Coast community to address the formidable challenge of cleaning up the waterways – one step at a time.

Facebook: tackle bin project (Gold Coast)

Contact Kellie Lindsay: 0415 531 640 kellie.lindsay@boomerangalliance.org.au

By Roselle Tenefrancia

What do you think of this project? Let us know your thoughts. Email editor@boatgoldcoast.com.au.

(May-Aug2017)

The post Tackle Bin Project appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales are perfect temperate zones that not only attract a wide variety of fish, but also thousands of whaler and bull sharks. The Gold Coast alone has over five hundred kilometres of canal systems that branch off the rivers and creeks, most consisting of dark murky coloured water. The water that flows throughout the creeks and canals makes it a perfect environment for the fish to live in. In other words, the more canals there are, the more sharks we have.

Bull and whaler sharks should not be confused with white pointers and tiger sharks. The latter two are known man-eaters, whereas the smaller bull and whaler sharks are more opportunistic feeders. These two estuarine-type sharks have poor eyesight and rely heavily on their receptors to pick up the impulses and vibrations in the water. They have this tendency to find fast moving fish, such as trevally, quite quickly, while a slow moving lethargic fish like a mullet has a better chance of swimming by undetected. If we look at this and change it over to a person swimming in a canal splashing about, the sharks instantly think it is a school of fast moving fish thrashing about. Of course being an opportunistic feeder, it is not one to miss out on a quick feed. After the bite, the shark then realises that it is not a fish it has bitten, but something much larger. So, it releases its “prey”, unfortunately leaving a nasty wound.

To decrease the chances of being bitten, there are several keynotes to remember. Do not swim at night, at dawn or at dusk. Do not swim after a heavy rain when the water is discoloured. Do not swim among baitfish or where a lot of fish activity is prevalent. Do not swim in the main river systems on the run-out tide again when the water is dirty, particularly after a flood. Do not swim around people that are fishing and catching fish. The main reason for the above is to eliminate the dark-water fact. Swimming in the middle of the day when the sun is up high on the water is best though if the tide has turned and is running out. You will find the water will discolour quite quickly again, giving the shark the advantage especially during the summer months.

Sharks are in our canal systems and surrounding waters all year round, but become extremely active during the warmer months of the year mainly during the monsoonal season. They are found from central New South Wales to the top end of Australia and equal latitude along the west coast. The runoff from floodwaters is a perfect time to spot sharks twisting and jumping out of the water, and feeding on fish being washed out around river and bar entrances. At certain times, you can see three or four sharks every few seconds chomping away on the smaller fish being washed out. If you ask any whiting fisherman who regularly dangles a line around the Council Chambers, they will be sure to tell you how much a menace the sharks can be as they nudge the side of your boat, and steal your fish off your line during the night.

By understanding the times when to swim and when not to swim, you can enjoy the beautiful waterways hassle-free. We can all learn to live with the sharks as they have always been here in great numbers and always will be.

By Paul Burt

(May-Aug2017)

The post Do Not Fear Sharks! appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Combined, you have Radha Pedersen, the artist, the sailor and the Vaishnava Hindu who describes his current work as “using the narrative setting of life on the ocean to discuss our inherent, spiritual need for freedom, and where that fits in our relationship with the world”.

Growing up on acreage in the Tweed Hinterland, Radha’s parents instilled within him an appreciation of nature and respect for all living creatures. Living so close to the beaches of the Gold Coast and the wonderful water playground of Moreton Bay, the ocean also became an intrinsic part of his life. “Surfing with my brothers and sailing with my grandparents were two things in my childhood that really put the salt in my veins, as you could say.”

As he began to create art, this relationship with nature shone through. But it did not stop with his art. In 2008, he and his wife-to-be, Pam, bought a Hartley 16 for their honeymoon, which they sailed around Moreton Bay for six years. They upgraded to an S&S Defiance 30, to live and cruise on. “In 2015, we took off for eight months and sailed up to the Whitsundays and back, taking our time and soaking it all in, which was really something special to do.”

It was on this cruise that Radha began to concentrate on the ocean as his creative setting. “I love being on the ocean surrounded by nature and simplicity, away from the craziness of modern life. It helps me to step back, remember who I am, who others are, and reflect on life. I think this stepping back is something most, if not all boaties have in common.” This is the freedom and relationship that Radha’s work explores.

Having received a Regional Arts Development Fund grant, Radha will be creating a new body of work – a collection of limited edition silver sculptures inspired the Japanese art form of Netsuke. This new collection, titled A Drop in The Ocean, will be premiering at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, where Radha will also be demonstrating his wood carving skills. www.radhapedersen.com.au.

By Pam Pederson

(May-Aug2017)

The post Art and Ocean appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

ABOUT OUR WATERWAYS

I have looked at the old photo albums of my relatives and I have heard stories of life on the bay islands, such as South Stradbroke, and about life on the banks of the Broadwater and the Nerang River. From these stories I have been fortunate to gain some understanding of what the area was like before developers modified the landscape.

Stories of people earning a living and surviving in places that in the past were not considered prime real estate. It was simply where they lived, and where they earned an income, and where they raised their families.

But to my family it was also more than that. The areas of low-lying islands in southern Moreton Bay is our traditional country—our country that our ancestors have lived in for thousands of years.

When I am out in my boat, or while I am camped on one of the bay islands, I am normally focused on mundane issues, like where I shall get firewood, where I shall place my crab pots, or where I shall drop a line. But I also often reflect upon the connection I have through my ancestors to my country. I think of how comfortable I feel in these places and how much more so my ancestors would have been.

Setting up a tent on a small island not far above the high-tide mark, sitting around a campfire or walking through a mangrove mudflat or a shallow creek at low tide are things I have done many times. But each time I do it, I always think to myself how lucky I am to be in such a place, even though many others see a low-lying mangrove island as an un-inviting environment. After spending time in these places I cannot help but love the type of landscape that many others simply overlook.

ABOUT FISHING

The Gold Coast enables you to spend time in such lovely natural surroundings and still be close to the city. My favourite fishing locations are the Logan and Pimpama Rivers region.

I love saltwater, mangroves and everything about being on the water. I have a few friends I fish with and it is a great way to spend quality time with them.

I love going on overnight fishing trips in the colder months, and at this time of year I am always hoping to catch a good flathead.

If possible, I recommend fishing all through the night, to get the best out of the winter-spring fishing season. I fish with the same few rods I have been using for years—pretty basic equipment. My boat is small and light, so that I can get into shallow water, without fear of getting stuck somewhere.

I always carry good quality wet weather gear, so I can go out and not be fearful of rain. It is great being on the water after rain. Everything is so calm and quite. I am always happy with a few mud crabs and a few different fish—it is good to have a bit of variety.

How not to be disappointed when fishing these waters? Never go out thinking you are going to catch lots of fish!

————-

Michael Aird is an Aboriginal photographer and anthropologist. He is a descendant of Andrew Hamilton Graham and Jenny McGussy, daughter of Sarah Drumley.* He shares his personal and natural connections to the Moreton Bay and Gold Coast waterways and the islands that surround them.

*Andrew Hamilton Graham lived on Stradbroke Island and spent his life on or near the water, as boatman, boatman pilot, water policeman, fisherman and light-keeper. He met Jenny McGussy in 1873, and the building of the Scottish, Irish and Aboriginal family began when they had their first child in 1875. They settled on a small island on the Nerang River known as Gardiner’s Island and later called Graham Island (in the area now known as Brighton Parade, Southport). In 1896, Andrew became the pilot of the Nerang River, and was responsible for seeing that boats were taken up the river safely, and kerosene lights were lit each night to assist boats at night time. The first official reporting of the break of Jumpinpin is credited to Andrew, who was then a government official of Southport in 1898. After his death in 1919, Jenny took over his role as the pilot. It is reported that Andrew had great knowledge of the Moreton Bay from Amity to Southport. The Brisbane and Nerang Rivers, Moreton Bay, and associated waterways played a large part in the life of Andrew and Jenny, and all their descendants. (Source: Remembering Our Ancestors, Keeaira Press)

Editorial by Andy Kancachian

The post Michael Aird: My Life On The Waterways appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

The Minister joined a crew on patrol from Burnett Heads as she congratulated the QBFP on 50 years of service protecting the state’s fisheries.

“This is a significant and historic milestone and I want to thank past and present employees who’ve protected our valuable fisheries resources and played a vital role in ensuring public safety on the water for half a century,” Minister Donaldson said.

“There are currently 104 patrol personnel and 26 offshore vessels in QBFP, but it wasn’t always so well resourced.

“Queensland’s original Boating Patrol Service was established on 5 July 1966 to enforce fisheries and marine regulations.

“The patrol had an initial intake of 13 recruits and in May 1968 the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol became fully operational across the state.

“Back in 1969 there were only 279 offences detected under the Fisheries Act including two cases of taking fish by means of explosives.

“Last year, there were more than 2,300 offences detected with more than 26,000 inspections of fishers, boats, vehicles, campsites, seafood marketers and properties and 20,500 marine inspections.

“During the 1980s, QBFP used air surveillance when the annual closed season for barramundi was introduced and to enforce the closed season for prawns in the Gulf of Carpentaria.”

Minister Donaldson said QBFP continues to play a critical role in ensuring fisheries resources and habitats are managed sustainably for the future.

“Queensland has more than 642,000 recreational fishers and 1,400 commercial fishing vessels,” she said.

“QBFP uses state-of-the-art offshore patrol boats, rigid inflatable boats, quad bikes and personal watercraft to monitor 7,000 kilometres of coastline and hundreds of inland fishing areas.

“The majority of fishers do the right thing, however, last year we received more than 900 calls to our Fishwatch hotline about suspected unlawful fishing.”

“QBFP operates in waters up to 200 nautical miles off the coast.

“Officers perform compliance duties under multiple State and Commonwealth Acts and deliver education programs through industry consultation, community events, lectures to schools and community groups.

“They also work in partnership with agencies including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Queensland Police Service, Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Maritime Safety Queensland, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, local Councils and waterway authorities.”

The post Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol: 50 Years in Service appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.