Did you know that a recent award winning film called 'End of the Line' predicts there will be no commercial species of fish left in the oceans by 2048 as a result of over-fishing. The movie highlights the plight of marine species the world over. Australian fisheries, whilst not as bad as those in the northern hemisphere, are still in bad shape. You can do something about it. Community groups from around the Surf Coast are aligning with Conservation Enterprises Unlimited (and using the ACF's seafood assessment) to turn this situation around. We want to make the SurfCoast the Sustainable Seafood Coast.
Signs such as the one shown above, which was taken from a Torquay Restaurant will then become a thing of the past-quickly! We need your help to create the change. Whenever any of you are planning to eat out at a cafe, restaurant or are purchasing seafood from a fish monger. Can you ask the following two questions- regardless of whether you intend to eat seafood:
NZ's new coastal policy (update) which includes provisions to protect some 30 of the country's best surf breaks through planning provisions.
Hi folks.
Last working bee for 2010 coming up. we will be working up at Southside in the carpark area where we will remove a number of woody weeds growing in amongst our revege sites (near the stockpiles of mulch near the Bells/Southside track.
Start time:10:00am
cheers,
Graeme
Hi everyone,
Just to let you know that there is a SANE working bee on Sunday 14th November starting at 10:00am and finishing 12:30pm. We will be meeting opposite the Winki Pop carpark. If the soil is still good we will be planting Prickly Teatree (Leptospermum continentale) in the last fenced area near the Winki entrance as well as moving through all our plantation sites to remove remaining Melaleuca armillaris and co. I keep saying we are nearly done with clearing them from the area but they keep coming back; fortunately in less numbers.
Also, on another note, you might be interested to know that Jan Juc Coast Action had a working bee last Sunday and whilst we were all onsite Trevor Prescott (Native Fauna expert of many years experience) bought a native Swamp Rat which was collected from the Jan Juc clifftop to the working bee to show us all. Importantly, Swamp Rats require sedgy/grassy vegetation of some height for shelter and food which is not available if an area is mown short. It's just another example of community tweeking management of a site to make it more friendly to all the other native life forms that we share this land with!! Needless to say, Swamp Rats are a big deal within the Bells Beach Reserve.
Cheers,
Graeme
(Swamp Rat) Little fellow just as happy as can be at my place!!
Jan Juc Coast Action Group and GORCC will hold their Gazania Weed Whacking Day next Sunday 7 November, with everyone meeting at the Bird Rock Car Park at 10am.
“All weed whackers are welcome to help the group get rid of this highly invasive weed,” Ms Ludbrook said.
“The South African Gazania out-competes native coastal plants and prevents germination and regeneration.
“People should bring some tools to dig up weeds and after their hard work they will be treated to a thank you barbecue.”
Ms Lubdrook said the organisers have also invited local fauna luminary Trevor Pescott to talk about the local mammal wildlife present in the Jan Juc cliff area.
Member of the Jan Juc Coast Action group, Glenda Shomaley said the help received by the group is highly valued.
“Our group greatly appreciates all the help we get from primary schools, Rip Curl and local community groups. So much can be achieved when many hands get busy and much enthusiasm is shared.”
Hi all,
Please see flyer promoting the candidates forum for the Seat of South Barwon in the forthcoming State Election. Member for South Barwon, Michael Crutchfield, Liberal candidate Andrew Katos, and Green's candidate Simon Northeast will be attending. The program kicks off at 7:00pm. Candidates each have 15 minutes to speak to issues for the area. We've told them there should be a strong emphasis on environment (including climate change) and sustainabiility in their address. Questions will then be taken from the floor for 1 hour followed by refreshments.
SANE support for a plastic bag free Torquay campaign
Surfers Appreciating Natural Environment (SANE) is a community-based environment group who have been caring for the coastal Bells Beach Reserve for over twenty years. We are very aware of the numerous threats it faces; not least being the threat of litter, in particular plastics. Indeed, during the early 1990s SANE produced a video called ‘Green Bells’ which tackled amongst other issues, the problem of plastics entering the marine environment. Therefore, it is with great excitement that we note the formation of your new group Plastic Bag Free Torquay. We wish you all the best in your endeavours and hope that your submission for funding is received favourably. We would also very much like to be kept in the loop with any new developments. If we can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.
Regards,
Graeme Stockton
(on behalf of the SANE executive)
Anyone interested in assisting in the campaign should attend a meeting at the Sandbar on June 30 at 6:00pm or email Monica at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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