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Coasts and Oceans
Number 56
Australian Centre for Maritime Studies, March 1998
The Australian Maritime Digest is published monthly by the Australian Centre for Maritime Studies on behalf of the Kindred Maritime Organisations for the benefit of the Australian maritime community.
For the first time, Australia's vast coastal marine environment has been divided into 60 distinct regions, each believed to contain different wildlife and physical features.
Federal Environment Minister, Senator Robert Hill, said recently that landmark scientific work had revealed the extraordinary range of Australia's coastal and marine ecosystems and would help governments better manage the marine environment.
Senator Hill said the draft report, entitled An Interim Marine and Coastal Regionalisation for Australia, would form the basis for cooperative national efforts to establish a network of marine protected areas, similar to the protected areas network being established on land. This was significant work because it was the first time all governments in Australia had set out to determine the broad range of our marine ecosystems and how they could be sustainably used and managed.
The draft describes 60 bioregions from the coastline to the edge of the continental shelf, and larger regions between the shelf and the limit of Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone. Developed under the Coasts and Clean Seas program, it will be used to identify which of Australia's marine ecosystems are not yet represented in a national network of protected areas.
The information used in the report is based on the best available data drawn from hundreds of sources.
Copies of the draft can be obtained from Environment Australia on 1800 803772 or viewed at this Internet address: http://www.deh.gov.au/net/imcra.html.
The report has been developed as a bioregional planning tool and will be submitted to Australian and New Zealand environment ministers for endorsement in 1998.
IMCRA at the regional level will be used as a primary tool for planning biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource development. The provincial levels enable regional and more detailed information to be placed in the larger or continental scale. [continued on page 7]
The latest shipbuilding figures published by Lloyd's Register (LR) show that the world merchant shipbuilding order book has risen for the fourth consecutive quarter. It is now at the highest level ever.
The world order book stands at 50.5 million gross tonnage (MGT), representing tonnage under construction and on order to the end of September 1997, compared with 48.9m gt for the quarter ending June 1997, and 45.9m gt the same quarter last year.
Just under 70 per cent of the order book is scheduled for completion before the end of 1998.
South Korea has become the world's largest shipbuilding nation, with 33 per cent of the market, an increase of 10.3 per cent over the previous quarter. Japan's order book has also increased slightly over the previous three months, bringing it to 31.3 per cent of the total world order book.
The People's Republic of China is a distant third in the world: a slight decrease over last quarter in her order book gives her 5.6 per cent of the market (2.9m gt). Italy, Germany and Poland follow with total order books at 2.1, 1.8 and 1.3m gt respectively.
Other significant movements in the world order book include Croatia (up 8.9 per cent over the previous quarter) and Spain, up 2.6 per cent. Down turns were reported for Turkey (down 40 per cent over the previous quarter), Poland (down 20 per cent) and Germany (down 17 per cent). Compared with the same quarter last year, Poland has seen a drop of nearly 40 per cent in its order book.
Following is a table showing shipbuilding activity since 1987, measured in terms of average quarterly millions of gross tonnage. The table also shows the average quarterly millions of compensated gross tonnage (this unit reflects the complexity of work involved in the building of the wide variety of ship types).
Summary of World Shipbuilding Activity Since 1987
Average Quarterly Millions of Gross Tonnage
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World Shipbuilding Statistics includes details of the world ship order book, its delivery schedule, new orders placed and completions - by both country of build and by ship type. It is one of a series of statistical publications compiled by LR which also includes World Fleet Statistics (an annual analysis of ships by flag, ship type, size and age) and World Casualty Statistics (a yearly summary of reported merchant ship losses and disposals).
World Shipbuilding Statistics is available via local LR offices or from Publication Sales, Maritime Information Publishing Group, Lloyd's Register, 100 Leadenhall Street, London EC3A 3BP, phone +44 171 423 2171/2, fax +44 171 423 2182. Orders may also be placed through the LR website, www.lr.ord.
In June 1998, the fastest round-the-world voyage by sea will be attempted by the 82-metre Western Australian built fast ferry, SuperStar Express. Headed by the ships' owner, Malaysian based cruise line operator, Star Cruises, the voyage will be co-sponsored by the builder, Austal Ships, of Fremantle, WA.
The 82-metre Austal Auto Express class catamaran will attempt to slash the current powered boat round-the-world record set by the nuclear powered submarine USS Triton of 83 days to 48 days. In doing so, the SuperStar Express will also challenge numerous non-stop records, including the fastest Trans-Atlantic crossing between New York and London by a commercial vessel.
"Both Austal and Star are confident that the SuperStar Express, with a maximum lightship speed of 46 knots, will be successful and will set the standard for those who wish to meet this exciting challenge in the future,' said Mr Chris Norman, Austal's Marketing Director.
The circumnavigation will cover a total of 25,777 nautical miles commencing at Port Klang, Malaysia, with stopovers at Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Honolulu, San Francisco, Panama, New York, London, Suez, Bombay, and completing the round trip back at Port Klang.
The circumnavigation has the personal support of Malaysia's Prime Minister, Dr Mahatir Mohamed, who will award the 'Prime Minister of Malaysia Trophy for the fastest round-the-world race by sea' (a magnificent 64cm high sterling silver, nobium and gold plated trophy) to the successful vessel.
For further information contact Chris Norman, phone (08) 9410 1111, fax (08) 9410 2564, email, marketng@austal.oz.nf
The Prime Minister, Mr Howard, recently committed $80 million from the Federation Fund to the Jervoise Bay Infrastructure Development project - an initiative which will provide a major boost for the economy and thousands of jobs for Western Australia.
In a joint announcement with the WA Premier, Mr Richard Court, Mr Howard said the Jervoise Bay development, which was the most advanced maritime infrastructure project ever undertaken in WA, could be a fitting symbol of 100 years of Federation.
In partnership, the Commonwealth and WA Governments were working together to generate jobs and provide a valuable piece of infrastructure which would make a significant and ongoing contribution to Australia and the national economy.
The Jervoise Bay Infrastructure Development is a Federation Fund project. The Fund is an initiative of the Commonwealth Government - its gift to the nation to mark the Centenary of Federation in 2001. By financing major projects of national significance, the fund is building the infrastructure Australia needs for the coming century.
Mr Court said Jervoise Bay, 13 km south of Fremantle at the northern end of Cockburn Sound, would be developed as a world-class, maritime industrial complex.
The total cost of the project will be in the vicinity of $200 million, with Commonwealth, State and private sector investment.
The redevelopment will provide protected sites with direct waterfront access, a heavy capacity wet berth and load out wharf, large manufacturing areas immediately adjacent to the waterfront and access to navigable deep water.
The project will be of enormous significance to the WA economy and the nation.
It is expected that the redeveloped facilities at Jervoise Bay will accommodate new construction projects valued at $100 million annually and additional work generated by support, repair and maintenance activities in the region of $160 million per year.
There will be more than 1,600 direct site employees and over 3000 additional indirect jobs. This is in addition to the 400 jobs generated during the construction phase.
The development will be a major factor in boosting local content and involvement in big resource projects.
Mr Court said State Government funding, combined with the Commonwealth's Federation Fund contribution, would enable the provision of infrastructure on a scale large enough to take advantage of the strong economic opportunities presented by the expansion of the oil and gas industry, and the resource and downstream processing sectors of the WA economy.
Jervoise Bay offered an excellent site for ship building, repair and maintenance for fabrication and ocean-based transport within WA and to interstate and international destinations.
Considerable public consultation has already been undertaken as part of the process of developing the Jervoise Bay master plan and the State Government is committed to ensuring that all environmental issues have been addressed before proceeding.
Commonwealth funding is conditional on obtaining the necessary environmental clearances and the Federal Government will work constructively with the State Government with a view to integrating Commonwealth advice, avoiding duplication and arriving at a satisfactory outcome on environmental heritage issues.
For further information contact Tony O'Leary (PM's office), phone 0419 850220, or Bronwyn Hillman (Premier Court's office), phone 9222 9475.
The benefits to the Australian seafood industry from APEC trade liberalisation could amount to A$100 million', Mr Brian Jeffriess, Deputy Chair of the Australian Seafood Industry Council, said at the recent OUTLOOK 98 Conference in Canberra.
Mr Jeffriess noted that the fishing industry's attitude to liberalisation has changed from being ambivalent to taking an increasing interest. He said this was because tariff reductions were one of the last means of achieving easy cost savings in an increasingly difficult financial and market environment.
While the Australian seafood industry was expected to benefit from the APEC liberalisation process, the size of the benefits would depend on a number of key factors, including increasing access to growing markets, supply constraints and liberalisation in meat markets.
Mr Anthony Cox from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) said that reducing nontariff barriers was the key to increasing exports to countries such as China.
Mr Alistair Macfarlane, General Manager of the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council, emphasised that the APEC liberalisation in seafood trade would go beyond the Uruguay Round by tackling not only tariffs but also government subsidies and other non-tariff barriers. He emphasised that this would greatly improve market signals and fisheries sustainability.
Mr John Hartwell, First Assistant Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy, emphasised that Australia, as the primary facilitator in the APEC Fisheries Working Group, was in a position to play a key role in the trade liberalisation initiative. Mr Hartwell said the agreement at Vancouver to proceed with early voluntary sectoral liberalisation for the fisheries sector would widen the scope of the liberalisation agenda. However, he noted that nontariff trade barriers would be much more difficult to eliminate than tariffs.
For further information contact Adam Stokes (ABARE), phone (02) 6272 2121.
Australian aquaculture will expand from a $400 million a year industry to a $1.4 billion industry by the year 2005.
Mr Richard Hamlyn-Harris, Chair of the Australian Aquaculture Forum, said this at the recent OUTLOOK 98 conference in Canberra.
Mr Hamlyn-Harris also warned that a number of issues challenge the industry, including effluent disposal, increasing access costs and environmental controls.
Ms Paula Holland, Principal Research Economist of ABARE said that one of the many challenges facing Australian aquaculture was access to suitable sites. She said Australia may be able to benefit from the experience of other countries in determining how to reduce conflicts and more efficiently allocate land between competing users. Planning systems had to be flexible and able to accommodate aquaculture.
Dr Geoff Allan of NSW Fisheries said the identification and allocation of coastal areas for aquiculture was a high priority for aquaculture development in NSW. He emphasised the need to coordinate policies between all levels of government to facilitate aquaculture development.
Dr Peter Rothlisberg of CSIRO discussed aquaculture issues on disease, genetics and the environment. He said aquaculture relied on clean water and sustainable production should have a benign impact on the environment.
For further information contact Paula Holland (ABARE), phone (02) 6272 2090.
Economic developments in Asia are forecast to have a major impact on Australia's seafood industry, Mr Perry Smith of ABARE said at the recent OUTLOOK 98 conference in Canberra.
Australia's seafood export earnings are forecast to fall by 12 per cent in real terms or about $155 million in 1997-98, but to recover over the medium term.
Seafood exports to Asia earned $1.1 billion last year. Most were luxury products such as live rock lobster and abalone. The economic downturn in Asia will reduce demand for luxury products in Japan and Hong Kong. Moreover, a large increase in tariffs paid on rock lobster imports to Chinese Taipei will also have a key impact on Australian sales, Mr Smith said.
Ms Cheryl Stanikwicz, Project Manager of the North East Asian Office of Austrade, also focused on problems in Asia. She said concerns that the Asian economic crisis could bring about a major collapse in seafood markets were not well founded, but the negative flow on effects should be recognised if Australian seafood exporters were to manage the potential risks.
Ms Stanikwicz emphasised that, for the key Japanese market, there were opportunities for exporters to move into new seafood products such as finfish. Branding products could also add value by highlighting the quality of Australian product but increased commercial risks if food quality were not maintained.
Concerning domestic seafood marketing issues, Ms Winsome McCaughey, Chairperson, Australian New Zealand Food Authority said it was important to get the food regulatory environment right. Food regulation in Australia was a partnership between the nine governments of Australia, who had embarked on a reform agenda of unprecedented scale, consulting with industry and consumers. The key goal was to develop a consistent code of practice which was less prescriptive and simple to use.
In summing up Ms McCaughey said food safety was a non-negotiable element of food quality. It was essential to incorporate the entire food chain in any regulatory approach if this were to be achieved.
For further information contact Perry Smith (ABARE), phone (02) 6272 2024.
The negotiations between Australia, Japan, and New Zealand on southern bluefin tuna (SBT) were adjourned, without setting a quota for 1998.
The three countries are the founding members of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT), an international organisation that sets a total allowable catch and national allocations for its member countries. In 1997, the total allowable catch of SBT was 11,750 tonnes. 5,265 tonnes were allocated to Australia, 6,065 tonnes to Japan and 420 tonnes to New Zealand.
The Federal Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Parer, said Japan had refused to agree to quotas at a responsible level, and had announced that it might introduce an experimental fishing program above and beyond last year's catch limit.
'Japan's position is completely unacceptable to Australia. Accordingly, we will not allow Japanese fishing vessels to operate in our exclusive economic zone until the Commission has set responsible quotas,' he said. 'The SBT stock is severely depleted, and our fisheries scientists have grave concerns about its future, unless global catches are brought under control. 'Japan's proposed experimental fishing program is nothing more than a pretext for increasing its catch. It will do little to assist the Commission's scientific work, and poses a threat to the recovery of the stock. It is as spurious as scientific whaling.'
Senator Parer said that Japan had not walked out of the Commission, and that he still hoped the disagreement could be resolved.
He said: 'The Commission is our best chance of securing a sustainable southern bluefin tuna fishery. Australia, Japan and New Zealand have all made sacrifices over the years to reduce the catch to its present level. It would be a tragedy if Japan prejudiced those conservation efforts now.
'The CCSBT is the international organisation that has the strongest capacity to manage the southern bluefin tuna fishery. As the world's leading SBT fishing nations, the members of the Commission have the responsibility to lead the way by adopting prudent management measures.
'The Australian Government will not be in a position to renew the AustraliaJapan bilateral fishing agreement until the CCSBT has set responsible quotas.'
Senator Parer said Australia would constrain its catch of SBT within its 1997 national allocation (5,265 tonnes) until the Commission had set new quotas. New Zealand has adopted a similar policy.
For further information contact Bill McKinley (Senator Parer's office), phone (02) 6277 7440 or 0419 607487.
Two new directors have been appointed to the Board of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
They are Professor Robert Kearney and Mr George Kailis.
Professor Kearney is an eminent Australian fisheries scientist, and is currently the Professor of Environmental Science at Canberra University. He was the Director of Fisheries Research for NSW Fisheries from 1986-1996.
Mr George Kailis is the Managing Director of the MG Kailis Group, a company involved in both fishing and aquaculture. He is a former director of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), and a member of the Prime Minister's Supermarket to Asia Council.
The Government has reappointed the Chairman of AFMA, Mr James McColl, and three existing directors: Mr Stuart Richey, Ms Anne Jarrett, and Mr Robert Lewis.
The new appointments are for three years, and took effect in February.
For further information contact Bill McKinley (Senator Parer's office), phone (02) 6277 7440 or 0419 607487, Internet: http:/www.dpie.gov.au/dpie/pr/ media_releases/ parer/index.html.
The Federal Government has announced that Cairns will be the home port for the two new hydrographic ships being built for the RAN.
The ships will significantly increase the capabilities of the Hydrographic Survey Force that currently operates from Cairns. The basing decision involves deploying an estimated additional 115 Defence personnel to Cairns to crew and support the new vessels.
It also means that local industry will benefit through providing follow-on support to the vessels.
A five-year contract for support services will be undertaken by NQEA, the builder of the vessels. The contract is worth $34.4 million, of which Defence estimates some $27.4 million will be spent in the local area.
A further $8.8 million is planned to be spent on HMAS CAIRNS, the base supporting the vessels, to establish additional office and accommodation facilities used by the ships' crews, support staff and their dependants.
For further information contact Jim Bonner (office of the Minister for Defence), phone (02) 6277 7800.
The Federal Government has signed three contracts, each valued at $8.5 million, for initial design work on the Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft Project (AEW&C). Under the contracts, companies will provide detailed designs and plans of the AEW&C system they are proposing for the Australian Defence Force.
The project, approved by the Minister for Defence in December, is for the purchase of six of seven aircraft, the number depending on the supplier, simulators included, overall support and other facilities.
Major Australian aerospace and electronics companies are taking leading roles in the work, which will result in three advanced designs for new, cost effective AEW&C types.
A large number of small to medium enterprises in the defence industry sector across Australia are involved, with the number set to increase as the project develops.
The three contracting teams are headed by large US defence companies - Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The teaming approach to the project will ensure Australia has the technology and industry ability to develop and support the AEW&C system here.
The final decision of the type of AEW&C will be made in 1999, after initial design work is completed and assessed.
For further information contact Jim Bonner (office of the Minister for Defence), phone (02) 6277 7800, or Group Captain Paul Ekin-Smyth (Department of Defence), phone (02) 6265 2660.
State-of-the-art acoustic minesweeping equipment, recently developed by ADI Limited, Australia's major defence, systems and engineering company, was exhibited at the recent UDT '98 (Undersea Defence Technology) exhibition in Sydney.
The ADI Acoustic Generator is a water driven, turbine powered sweep which can be programmed to emulate the acoustic signatures of specific classes of ships. It will be incorporated into ADI's minesweeping and support system (AMASS).
Recent evaluation by the RAN and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), including shock trials, has shown the equipment to be highly successful.
The generator has been developed to complement the ADI Dyad influence sweep which is based on a series of large permanent magnets that can be configured to emulate the magnetic signatures of specific vessel classes. The combined magnetic and acoustic sweep becomes an acceptable target to the most sophisticated mines.
Seven countries, including the US, UK and Denmark, have purchased Dyads and the generator has also attracted strong interest from overseas customers.
Also on display at UDT was ADI's recently developed submarine launched flare. The RAN has ordered the flare for its new Collins Class submarines while the first overseas sale has been made to Norway.
For further information contact Leigh Funston (General Manager, Corporate Relations, ADI), phone (02) 9365 9332.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned all participants in the waterfront and shipping industries of their obligations to comply with the provisions of the Trade Practices Act.
The ACCC was monitoring behaviour in these sectors, according to ACCC Chairman Professor Allan Fels.
The ACCC was ready to act in the public interest to enforce the primary and secondary boycott provisions of the Trade Practices Act, if this became necessary.
Section 45D of the Act prohibits boycotts which have the purpose, and would have or be likely to have the effect of, causing substantial loss or damage, a substantial lessening of competition or preventing or substantially hindering trade or commerce.
Section 45E prohibits contracts, arrangements or understandings which have the purpose of preventing or hindering the supply or acquisition of goods or services. Section 45 prohibits anti-competitive agreements generally.
The ACCC has been monitoring events at Webb Dock and has had contact with major players. In the current circumstances there is potential for persons or organisations involved in the industry to engage in activity, especially boycott activity, which may breach the Act, Professor Fels Said.
In particular, members of the Industry should be aware of the law, especially the above provisions, and, for example, avoid:
where any of these actions are in breach of sections 450 and E or any other provisions of the Act.
The ACCC will enforce the boycott provisions of the Act in the same manner as it would enforce the Act against other anti-competitive practices, he said.
The ACCC is continuing its investigations of other waterfront issues including hold-cleaning demands, the existence of alleged exclusionary agreements between shippers, terminal operators and employee organisations, and some other matters.
Whilst the ACCC investigates complaints from industry, it is worth noting that whether or not it receives complaints the ACCC can independently initiate investigations into breaches of the Act. A prerequisite for legal action, however, is market information and evidence. Industry participants who are concerned at breaches of the Act can bring forward such information and evidence to the ACCC on a confidential basis or any other basis, and the ACCC will consider whether it provides grounds for legal action, he said.
'The ACCC also has power under Section 155 of the Act to require, where it believes that there may have been a contravention of the Act, persons or organisations to provide documents of other evidence or to answer questions that would assist the ACCC in determining whether there have been any breaches of the law.'
For further information contact Professor Allan Fels (Chairman, ACCC). phone (016) 373536 pager, or Ms Lin Enright (Director, Public Relations, ACCC), phone (02) 6243 1108.
Annual savings of about $1.7 million are expected to flow to the shipping industry following a reduction in the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's (AMSA's) Marine Navigation Levy which came into effect in February.
The new rates involve an average five percent reduction in the levy on all ships over 5000 net registered tonnes loading into and out of Australia.
For a 20,000 tonne bulk carrier visiting Australia three times a year savings of $1575 will be won by the reduced levy. The levy for average size vessels in the 5001-20,000 tonne range will fall from 33.5 cents per tonne to 30 cents per tonne.
The marine navigational levy is charged to commercial trading ships to recover the cost of providing a network of navigational aids such as traditional lighthouses and advanced electronic navigational systems.
The reduction in charges on the industry is in line with AMSA's objective of improving efficiency while delivering a high standard of safety and other services to the Australian maritime industry,
It is the seventh reduction in this levy since AMSA was established in 1991, effectively lowering the cost for industry by about 47 per cent.
Other AMSA levies covering marine safety regulation and marine pollution are to remain unchanged.
For further information contact Ian Hanke, phone 0419 484095.
The Federal Government recently released a Resources Policy Statement that provides the strategic framework for Australia's minerals and petroleum industries to set world standards of performance to maximise investment and competitiveness.
Federal Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Warwick Parer, said the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Policy Statement, the first ever released by any Commonwealth Government, provided a high level of certainty to investors and other stakeholders in these industries.
He noted that the minerals and petroleum industries now contributed around $37 billion of annual exports; $12 billion a year in new capital investment; and over 7 per cent to GDP. Over a hundred projects worth a further $60 billion investment were currently under consideration.
Many other countries were now developing their resources and competing to attract investment.
To meet that competition, Australia needed a clear and comprehensive strategy to ensure that our minerals and petroleum industries could use their strengths, energy and ingenuity to sustain and enhance their competitiveness.
To help these industries realise sustained and confident competitiveness, the Government has accepted that all Commonwealth decisions affecting the resources sector should be taken within a clear and cohesive framework of objectives and principles which recognises its circumstances, importance and potential.
This did not mean subsidisation of the sector, but removal of impediments which, as the Minerals Council once put it, would 'clip the wings of eagles'.
Senator Parer said the Resources policy statement set out a clear vision for the resource industries with the Government operating within a legislative and policy framework based on five key strategies.
Senator Parer said the Resources Policy Statement would greatly enhance Australia's credibility as a long-term, successful supplier to the world's resources and energy markets, and one of the key centres of the world mining industry.
For further information contact Bob Baudino, phone 0419 438818. Internet address: http://www.dpie.gov.au/dpie/pr/media_releases/parer/index.html.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has warned ship owners and crew in a recent Marine Notice about the potential for software difficulties with onboard computer systems on the change of date to 1 January 2000.
The potential problem is due to some computer systems using only two digits when referring to the year and assuming that it is prefaced with '19'.
Since the century is not accounted for in the program, the system can not differentiate between the year 1900 and 2000. Therefore, when the system date changes from 1999 to 2000 the system may interpret the new year as year 1900 instead of the year 2000.
Ships are fitted with a number of sophisticated computer systems, which carry out a variety of functions on board the vessel. These functions include navigation of the vessel to communication and engine and cargo control systems.
Ship owners should be aware that some of these computer systems may have problems on the change of date to the year 2000.
In the case of type approved software systems by a classification society, the owner is advised to seek advice from the relevant classification authority regarding the possible year 2000 problem.
In relation to other onboard computer systems, the owner is strongly advised to check with the software manufacturer regarding possible problems on the change to the year 2000.
Ships computer system types that may be affected are:
During ISM code audits, AMSA surveyors will check for documentary evidence that the potential risks associated with this problem are being addressed as an integral component of the vessel's risk management approach.
For further information contact P. Quirk (Acting Chief Executive, AMSA). PO Box 1108, Belconnen ACT 2616. Internet address, www.amsa.gov.au.
[continued from page 1]
IMCRA is being used as a basis for planning the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas. The System is being developed by State, Northern Territory and Commonwealth agencies in cooperation.
One use of IMCRA is to help identify gaps where ecosystems and habitats within bioregions are not yet protected in the system of marine parks and reserves. Ecosystems are animals and plants interacting with each other and their environment. IMCRA will also be used to assist decision makers in setting priorities to fill these gaps.
The process of selecting potential areas to add to the existing systems of marine protected areas will involve a number of steps. These steps include having access to more detailed ecosystem data within IMCRA bioregions; developing and using nationally consistent procedures to identify and select potential sites for marine protected areas; using consistent approaches for specifying areas for biodiversity conservation; and developing appropriate management frameworks.
The process of selecting proposals for marine protected areas will involve extensive consultation with interest groups.
For further information contact Matt Brown (Senator Hill's office), phone (02) 6277 7640, or Bernadette O'Neil (Environment Australia), phone (02) 6250 0772.
A threat abatement plan for the incidental catch of seabirds, such as albatrosses, during longline fishing has been issued for public comment.
The plan has been developed following the successful move by the Government to have all of the species of southern hemisphere albatrosses listed under the international Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species (the Bonn Convention).
The incidental capture of seabirds on longlines is listed as a threatening process under the Commonwealth Endangered Species Act.
The issue is being addressed cooperatively between the government, the fishing industry and conservation groups. The input of the fishing industry along with conservation groups to this draft plan has provided our best chance of overcoming the tragically high incidence of seabird by-catch.
Some longlines are 150 kilometres long and carry up to 3000 baited hooks. Seabirds are attracted by the bait and are caught on the hooks and drown. It has been estimated that more than 40,000 albatrosses drown each year around the southern oceans from being hooked on these longlines.
Many of the seabirds, such as albatrosses and giant petrels, that fall victim to longlines are endangered or vulnerable. The Federal Government's plan aims to reduce by 90 per cent the number of seabirds caught on longlines in the Australian Fishing Zone within the next five years.
The ultimate aim, however, is to achieve a zero by-catch of seabirds, especially threatened albatross and giant petrel species, and bring to an end the horrible deaths suffered by these birds.
The finalised plan will provide an international benchmark for efforts to conserve seabirds. Australia will continue to be at the forefront of the global effort to end the tragic slaughter of these creatures.
Copies of the Threat Abatement Plan for the incidental catch of seabirds during longline fishing operations are available from Environment Australia on (02) 6250 0713. The plan will be open to public comment for a period of three months.
For further information contact Matt Brown (Senator Hill's office), phone (02) 6277 7640, or David Kay (Environment Australia), phone (02) 6250 0240.
16-17 April 1998
'The Directions of GPS': the 1998 GPS Lecture Series
Sydney
Topics include: Technological Challenges for RTK Positioning; GPS-GLONASS Surveying; The Challenges of Ambiguity Resolution for Medium and Long-Range Positioning; Introduction to Quality Control Algorithms for GPS Positioning; Probability and Covariance Characteristics of GPS Input and Output Data; Implementation Aspects of the DIA Procedure.
Registration forms and further information: School of Geomatic Engineering, The University of NSW, Sydney NSW 2052, phone (02) 9385 4182, fax (02) 9313 7493, email c.rizos@unsw.edu.au
18-19 May 1998
Conference: 'Oceans, Governance and Maritime Strategy'
Canberra
Jointly sponsored by the RAN Maritime Studies Program and the Centre for Maritime Policy , University of Wollongong.
Contact: Commander Dick Sherwood, Maritime Studies Program, Department of Defence, Canberra, phone (02) 6266 6114.
15-16 June
Workshop: 'Wise of to Ekranoplan GEMs'
University of NSW, Sydney
Organised and sponsored by the Institute of Marine Engineers (Sydney Branch), the University of NSW (Department of Naval Architecture) and Australian Maritime Engineering CRC Ltd.
Contact: L.J. Prandolini, Hon. Secretary, Sydney Branch, IMarE, 58 Melba Drive, East Ryde NSW 2113, phone (02) 9878 1914, fax (02) 9878 4669, email sbimare@msn.com.
18-20 August 1998
Spillcon '98 - 7th International Oil Spill Conference: 'Oil Spills: Causes and Cures'
Cairns Convention Centre
Organised by the Australian Institute of Petroleum Ltd (AIP) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Endorsed by International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), International Maritime Organization (IMO), Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand (MSANZ).
The conference will cover the following themes: Causes and Prevention; Preparedness; Response Management; Post Spill Issues of Recent Incidents; Case Studies; Public Perception. An on-water demonstration of the latest in oil spill response equipment will be held.
Contact: Conference Secretariat, c/- The Meeting Planners, 108 Church Street, Hawthorn VIC 3122m, phone (03) 9819 3700, fax (03) 9819 5978, e-mail spillcon@meetingplanners.com.au
Availability of Publications:
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Cheques payable to KINDRED MARITIME ORGANISATIONS.Please send me one copy of the Australian Maritime Digest monthly for the next 12 months.
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1. Please charge my Bankcard MasterCard Visa
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2. Please find enclosed my cheque/money order for $40.00 payable to KINDRED MARITIME ORGANISATIONS.
Please send the coupon to: Australian Maritime Digest, c/- PO Box 55, RED HILL ACT 2603
Phone: (02) 6295 0056 Fax: (02) 6295 3367