Conservation
May
15
2013
Toxic Lyngbya
A UWA ecologist says most benthic macro-invertebrate populations in Roebuck Bay’s intertidal zone have decreased significantly after blooms of the toxic blue-green Lyngbya… Read the feature in Science Network WA »
An amazing macro of a snail in Roebuck Bay’s mudflats. © Peter Strain, Creatures of the Giant Tides.
May
13
2013
Statement on World Migratory Bird Day
Read Professor Theunis Piersma’s statement for World Migratory Bird Day 2013. Below is an excerpt - read the entire statement »
Professor Piersma has been researching Roebuck Bay’s remarkable shorebirds and muddy invertebrates for 18 years. Read more about the bay’s invertebrates in the fab book, Invisible Connections. © Jan van der Kam.
“Wherever we study them, migrant birds are in trouble. Thus, I am deeply concerned about the future of most migrant champions and the habitats they rely on. They are champions precisely because the habitats that suit their needs are so few and far between. My best hope stems from other networking efforts, the connections now made with inspired people outside the narrow confines of my trade”…
Professor Piersma established monthly invertebrate monitoring in 1996, as well as leading three epic expeditions on Roebuck Bay’s mudflats, where he and his team sieved mud from 1500 locations turning up 30,000 invertebrates. This ongoing monitoring, carried out by DEC’s Yawuru Rangers and Broome Bird Observatory volunteers, provides invaluable data on the ecological health of the Bay.
Professor Piersma is a world leader in wetland ecology with a pedigree of scientific awards, so his statement is based on extraordinary knowledge and on ground experience.
May
8
2013
Whale sharks in Broome
Want to learn about Whale sharks and how to be a local researcher?
Come along to Lotteries house in Broome tonight at 7.30pm. This project is sponsored by Inspiring Australia.
May
3
2013
Gardening for Roebuck Bay
Gardening to keep our fish and marine life healthy is simple, cheap, can provide nutritious bush foods, fill gardens with birdsong, is easily maintained and copes with droughts and cyclones. Even better, it helps to keep fish and marine life healthy and abundant. Here’s how to Garden the Roebuck Bay Friendly Way.
Apr
30
2013
Roebuck Bay’s shorebirds reach China
Roebuck Bay Working Group’s shorebird experts, Chris Hassell and Adrian Boyle are on the shores of Bohai in China along with Matt Slaymaker and Ginny Chan. As in previous years, the primary aim of their trip is to scan the shorebirds that are passing through on their migration to their northern breeding grounds. To read about their fascinating adventures, the challenges the birds and scientists face on mudflats that are being industrialised, and their sightings, read their regular reports »
To learn about Roebuck Bay’s remarkable shorebird’s perilous flight to the Arctic, read the book, Invisible Connections. The photos by Jan van der Kam are incredible. © Jan van der Kam
Apr
30
2013
Let’s Celebrate Roebuck Bay with a film
Here is the new film that captures the passion of the Broome community for Roebuck Bay, which is home to rare dolphins, thousands of migratory shorebirds, trillions of mud invertebrates, crocodiles, seagrass meadows, mangroves, lots of fish, dugongs, turtles and much more. The message is look after it and reduce run off from your property into Broome’s stormwater drains. It is currently running on Goolarri Television and was funded by Rangelands NRM.
Apr
26
2013
Garden to keep fish stocks plentiful
There are few places on our earth with such extraordinarily productive waters surrounding a large population centre. Our community needs to be proactive and garden to keep our waters full of fish and marine life. Come to Expo to learn how to Garden the Roebuck Bay Friendly Way May 4 (9 – 9.30) May 5 (12 – 12.30). This innovative project is a collaboration between the Society of Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animals and RBWG, and sponsored by Inspiring Australia and Rangelands NRM.
Apr
15
2013
Rays put on feeding display
Manta rays in Roebuck Bay hit the front page of the Broome Advertiser this week. Our award winning group with the support of SKIPAS, are encouraging Broome residents to use a gardening approach that keeps mantas and our marine waters clean and clear of Lyngbya blooms. The innovative project is being sponsored by Inspiring Australia and Rangelands NRM. Here is the link to the two page story »
An Attenborough moment in Roebuck Bay, with manta rays barrel rolling whilst feeding. © Kandy Curran
Apr
15
2013
Callum Roberts – How our Seas are Changing
Leading marine biologist, Professor Callum Roberts, provided an address in Australia on Saturday13th April on ABC 24. In his address, he covers many issues relevant for management and protection of places like Roebuck Bay and the Kimberley coast. It is a fascinating address, as he covers noise pollution, global warming, coral reefs, predatory crabs moving into the Antarctic, dead zones and vampire squids from hell! What is inspiring is that he gives practical advice on what can be done to look after our coastal waters…
Key to Roberts’ strategies for protection of oceans is the establishment of a network of protected marine zones. He suggests closing 30% of the oceans to control over fishing. The world wouldn’t go hungry and fish stocks would be replenished.
Have a listen, after all we are all evolved from the oceans!
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/bigideas/stories/2013/04/08/3729644.htm
Apr
12
2013
Gardening and biodiversity tying the knot in Broome
In the coastal town of Broome this year, the award winning Roebuck Bay Working Group is using a novel approach to marry up marine biodiversity with gardening. With Broome situated on a peninsula brimming with marine life, a gardening approach aimed at reducing pollution entering the surrounding waters has to be the right approach.
Collaborators in the gardening project are the Society for Kimberley Plants and Animals (SKIPAS) and the Broome Shire. SKIPAS, a renowned landcare group in Broome specialising in the propagation of indigenous plants, will provide Gardening the Roebuck Bay Friendly Way presentations at the North West Expo on May 4-5, the Broome Shire will give away native plants, and SKIPAS will give away free books on establishing a native garden in Broome.
