Marine resources, biophysical processes, and environmental management of a tropical shelf seaway: Torres Strait, Australia-Introduction to the special issue

This special issue of Continental Shelf Research contains 20 papers giving research results produced as part of Australia's Torres Strait Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) Program, which was funded over a three-year period during 2003-2006. Marine biophysical, fisheries, socioeconomic-cultural and extension research in the Torres Strait region of northeastern Australia was carried out to meet three aims: 1) support the sustainable development of marine resources and minimize impacts of resource use in Torres Strait; 2) enhance the conservation of the marine environment and the social, cultural and economic well being of all stakeholders, particularly the Torres Strait peoples; and 3) contribute to effective policy formulation and management decision making. Subjects covered, including commercial and traditional fisheries management, impacts of anthropogenic sediment inputs on seagrass meadows and communication of science results to local communities, have broad applications to other similar environments.

Psychological resources, their social antecedents, and association with well-being and health behaviour in early adulthood

The success of entering work life, young people s psychological resources and self-reported well-being were studied in a longitudinal setting from a life-span developmental-contextual perspective in early adulthood. The aim was to analyse how psychosocial characteristics in early childhood and adolescence predict successful entrance into work life, how this is associated with well-being, and to assess the level of psychological resources such as dispositional optimism, personal meaning of work and coping in early adulthood. The role of these and social support, in the relationship between regional factors (such as place of residence and migration), self-reported health and life satisfaction was studied. The association between a specific coping strategy, i.e. eating and drinking in a stressful situation and eating habits, was studied to demonstrate how coping is associated with health behaviour. Multivariate methods, including binary logistic regression analyses and ANOVA, were used for statistical analyses. The subjects were members of the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort, which consists of all women and men born in 1966 in the two northernmost provinces of Finland (n= 12,058). The most recent follow-up, at the age of 31 years when 11,637 subjects were alive, took place in 1997-1998. The results show, first, that social resources in the childhood family and adolescence school achievement predict entrance into the labour market. Secondly, psychosocial resources were found to mediate the relationship between migration from rural to urban areas, and subjective well-being. Thirdly, psychological resources at entrance into the labour market were found to develop from early infancy on. They are, however, influenced later by work history. Fourthly, stress-related eating and drinking, as a way of coping, was found to be directly associated with unhealthy eating habits and alcohol use. Gender differences were found in psychosocial resources predicting, and being associated with success in entering the labour market. For men, the role of attitudinal and psychological factors seems to be especially important in entrance into work life and in the development of psychological resources. For women, academic attainment was more important for successfully entering work life, and lack of emotional social support was a risk factor for stress-related eating only among women. Stress-related eating and drinking habits were predicted by a long history of unemployment as well as a low level of education among both genders, but not excluding an academic degree among men. The results emphasize the role of childhood psychosocial factors in preventing long-term unemployment and in enhancing psychological well-being in early adulthood. Success in entering work life, in terms of continuous work history, plays a crucial role for well-being and the amount of psychological resources in early adulthood. The results emphasize the crucial role of enhancing psychological resources for promoting positive health behaviour and diminishing regional differences in subjective well-being.

Queensland Coastal Wetland Resources: the Northern Territory Border to Flinders River

Protection of coastal wetland environments is an important prerequisite to effective and sustainable fisheries management and conservation of habitats for the use of future generations. Mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses directly support local and offshore fisheries through the provision of food, shelter, breeding and nursery grounds. As such, these vegetated wetland environments along with sandbars, mudflats, rocky foreshores and reefs have significant economic value as well as their intrinsic aesthetic and ecological values. This report summarises the results of the mapping undertaken in the Gulf of Carpentaria Region from the Queensland/Northern Territory border eastwards to the western bank of the Flinders River (hereafter called the Gulf Study Area). The study was undertaken in order to: 1. document and map coastal wetlands of the Gulf Study Area; 2. document levels of existing disturbance to and protection of these wetlands; 3. examine existing recreational, indigenous and commercial fisheries of the region; 4. evaluate the conservation values of the areas investigated from the viewpoint of fisheries productivity and as habitat for important and/or threatened species for future FHA/Marine Protected Area (MPA) declaration. Dataset URL Link: Queensland Coastal Wetlands Resources Mapping data. [Dataset]

Queensland Coastal Wetland Resources: Sand Bay to Keppel Bay.

Protection of coastal wetland environments is an important prerequisite to effective and sustainable inshore fisheries management and conservation of habitats for use by future generations. Mangroves, saltmarshes, seagrasses and non vegetated habitats directly support local and regional inshore and offshore fisheries through the provision of food, shelter, breeding and nursery grounds. As such, these wetland environments have significant economic value as well as their intrinsic aesthetic and ecological values. This report summarises the results of the mapping undertaken in the Central Queensland Coast from Sand Bay to Keppel Bay (hereafter referred to as the Study Area). The study was undertaken in order to: 1. document and map the coastal wetland communities along the Queensland coastline from Sand Bay (20.93°S, 149.04°E) to Keppel Bay (23.65°S, 151.07°E); 2. document levels of existing disturbance to and protection of the wetlands; 3. examine existing recreational and commercial fisheries in the region; and 4. evaluate the conservation values of the areas investigated from the viewpoint of fisheries productivity and as habitat for important and/or threatened species. Dataset URL Link: Queensland Coastal Wetlands Resources Mapping data. [Dataset]

Queensland Coastal Wetland Resources: Cape Tribulation to Bowling Green Bay

This report provides key resource data for the ongoing assessment of the requirement for additional Marine Protected Areas (e.g. FHAs under the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994) in regions of high fish habitat value in northern Queensland from Cape Tribulation to Bowling Green Bay (hereafter referred to as the Study Area). The study also provides baseline information on the coastal wetlands within this Study Area for consideration in the Ramsar site nomination process. The Study Area extends from Cape Tribulation (16o 6’S, 145o 24’E) to Bowling Green Bay (19o 30’S, 147o 24’E) in tropical north Queensland. The project aimed to: 1. document and map the coastal wetland communities of the Study Area; 2. document levels of existing disturbance to and protection of the wetlands; 3. examine existing recreational, indigenous and commercial fisheries resources in the region; 4. evaluate the conservation values of the areas investigated from the viewpoint of fisheries productivity and as habitat for important and/or threatened species for future FHA/MPA declaration. Dataset URL Link: Queensland Coastal Wetlands Resources Mapping data. [Dataset]

Coastal Wetlands Resources Investigation of the Burdekin Delta for declaration as fisheries reserves. Report to Ocean Rescue 2000

A project to investigate the coastal wetland resources of the Burdekin Delta, north Queensland, was undertaken as part of the long-term assessment of the coastal fisheries resources of Queensland. Extending from November 1993 to May 1995, fieldwork was undertaken in November 1993 and August 1994. The scope of the coastal wetlands resources investigation of the Burdekin Delta for declaration as a Fish Habitat Area was: 1. To document and map the marine wetland vegetation communities in the Burdekin River delta. 2. To document levels of existing disturbance to wetlands, existing recreational and commercial fisheries resources, and existing fishing activities. 3. To evaluate the conservation values of the areas investigated from the viewpoint of fisheries productivity and as habitat for important/threatened species. 4. To initiate Fish Habitat Area declaration under Section 120 of the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994 with formal consultation to all stakeholders. This report concentrates on Points 1 and 3, the documentation of the marine wetland vegetation communities and the evaluation of conservation values from a fisheries viewpoint. Dataset URL Link: Queensland Coastal Wetlands Resources Mapping data. [Dataset]

Queensland Coastal Wetlands Resources Mapping Data

1:100,000 coastal wetland vegetation mapping for Queensland including mangrove communities, saltpans and saline grasslands. Mapping taken from Landsat TM images with ground truthing. Additional metadata is available for details of techniques and accuracy for each section of coastline. Data Currency for each section of coast: NT border to Flinders River - 1995 SE Gulf of Carpentaria - 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992 Cape York Peninsula - 1986-88, 1991 Cape Trib to Bowling Green Bay - 1997-99 The Burdekin Region - 1991 The Bowen Region - 1994-95 The Whitsunday Region - 1997 Repulse Bay - 1989 Central Qld - 1995, 1997 The Curtis Coast Region - 1997 Round Hill Head to Tin Can Inlet - 1997 Moreton Region - 1995. Article Links: 1/ #1662. Queensland Coastal Wetland Resources: the Northern Territory Border to Flinders River. Project Report. Information Series QI00099. 2/ #1663. Queensland Coastal Wetland Resources: Sand Bay to Keppel Bay. Project Report. Information Series QI00100. 3/ #1664. Queensland Coastal Wetland Resources: Cape Tribulation to Bowling Green Bay. Project Report. Information Series QI01064. 4/ #1666. Coastal Wetlands Resources Investigation of the Burdekin Delta for declaration as fisheries reserves. Report to Ocean Rescue 2000. Project Report. 5/ #1667. Queensland Coastal Wetland Resource Investigation of the Bowen Region: Cape Upstart to Gloucester Island. Project Report. 6/ #1784. Resource Assessment of the Tidal Wetland Vegetation of Western Cape York Peninsula, North Queensland, Report to Ocean Rescue 2000. Project Report. 7/ #1785. Marine Vegetation of Cape York Peninsula. Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy. Project Report. 8/ #3544. Queensland Coastal Wetland Resources: The Whitsunday Region. Project Report.Information Series QI01065. 9/ #3545. Queensland Coastal Wetland Resources: Round Hill Head to Tin Can Inlet. Project Report. Information Series QI99081.

Accelerated drying of plantation grown Eucalyptus cloeziana and Eucalyptus pellita sawn timber

The objective of this study was to gain an understanding for drying sawn timber produced from fast-grown, well-managed Queensland hardwood plantations using accelerated drying methods. Due to limited resources, this was a preliminary study and further work will be required to optimize schedules for industrial implementation. Three conventional kiln trials, including two for 38-mm-thick, 19-year-old plantation Gympie messmate (Eucalyptus cloeziana F. Muell.) and one for 25mm thick, 15-year-old plantation red mahogany (Eucalyptus pellita F. Muell.), and two vacuum kiln drying trials, one each for 38- and 25mm thick Gympie messmate, were conducted. Measurements of final cross-sectional moisture content, moisture content gradient, residual drying stress, and internal and surface checking were used to quantify dried quality. Drying schedules were chosen based on either existing published schedules or, in the case of the vacuum drying trials, existing schedules for species with similar wood density and dying degrade properties, or manipulated schedules based on the results of trials conducted during this study. The findings indicate that both species can be dried using conventional drying techniques with acceptable grade quality in approximately 75 percent of the drying time that industry is currently achieving when drying native forest timber of the same species. The vacuum drying time was 60 percent less than conventional drying for 38-mm-thick, 19-year-old Gympie messmate, although drying quality needs improving. The findings have shown that through careful schedule manipulation and adjustment, the grade quality can be optimized to suit the desired expectation. Additional research is required to further optimize the schedules to ensure acceptable grade qualities can be reliably achieved across all drying criteria and exploit opportunities to reduce drying times further.

Grey Mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) microsatellite genotypes (nine loci) representing twelve regions along Australia's northern coastline from the eastern coast of Queensland to the western coast of Western Australia.

Scomberomorus semifasciatus is an Australian endemic found in tropical, coastal waters from eastern to western Australia. Commercial and recreational exploitation is common and regulated by state-based authorities. This study used mitochondrial DNA sequence and microsatellite markers to elucidate the population structure of Scomberomorus semifasciatus collected from twelve, equidistant sampling locations. Samples (n=544) were genotyped with nine microsatellite loci, and 353 were sequenced for d-loop (384 bp) and ATP (800bp) mitochondrial DNA gene regions. Combined interpretation of microsatellite and mtDNA data identified four genetic stocks of S. semifasciatus: Western Australia, northwest coast of the Northern Territory, Gulf of Carpentaria and the east coast of Queensland. Connectivity among stocks across northern Australia from the Northern Territory to the east coast of Queensland was high, but in contrast, there was a clear genetic break between populations in Western Australia compared to the rest of northern Australia. This indicates a restriction to gene flow possibly associated with suboptimal habitat along the Kimberley coast (northwestern Australia). The appropriate scale of management for this species corresponds to the jurisdictions of the three Australian states, except that the Gulf of Carpentaria stock should be co-managed by authorities in Queensland and Northern Territory.

Your fish. Your future. Queensland Fisheries Strategy 2009-2014

The Queensland Fisheries Strategy 2009-2014 sets the direction for the future of fisheries and aims to address some of the challenges impacting Queensland's fisheries both from within Australia and abroad. Every year in Queensland almost a million people fish for a living, for recreation, or for traditional and customary purposes. Countless others rely on sustainable fisheries as the focus of tourism and other businesses - but there are major challenges for the fishing sector. Fisheries resources are finite and under significant stress. Fisheries face challenges including the potential for over-exploitation by all fishing sectors, increasing consumer demand, a rising population, coastal development, the effects of climate change, biosecurity risks, import competition and rising production costs.

Management implications of climate change impacts of fisheries resources

This application was developed in response to the widely recognised concern that climate change will result in changes to marine life and ecosystems, and hence fisheries, throughout Australia with tropical marine ecosystems in northern Australia identified as being particularly vulnerable. These changes are predicted to vary spatially depending on local climate and biophysical processes. Northern Australia is one of three major Australian regions predicted to be impacted. The project addresses the important FRDC strategic challenge of improving the management of aquatic natural resources to ensure their sustainability through research and management that accounts for the effects that climate change may have on the resources.

High-value wood products from sub-tropical plantations

To refine the emerging silvicultural systems for sub-tropical eucalypt plantations to produce logs of acceptable dimensions and quality for processing into high-value solid and engineered wood products, while maintaining financial attractiveness for growers. The available resources are focussed primarily on sub-tropical Corymbia plantings.

Fisheries resources of the Bohle River, Queensland.

The fisheries resources of the Bohle River and its small catchment area adjacent Townsville, north Queensland, were investigated through available literature, scientific research surveys and analysis of commercial and recreational catch and effort data. Research surveys produced a total of 4383 fish from the waters of the Bohle River during 1997-1998. These were classified into 104 fish species from 49 families. Gillnetting, cast netting, fish trapping and crab potting techniques were used in the estuarine waters of the Bohle River with freshwater reaches in the upper catchment surveyed by electrofishing. This range of survey techniques was used to estimate the relative abundance of ten commercially and recreationally important species: Barramundi (Lates calcarifer), king threadfin (Polydactylus macrochir), blue threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum), mangrove jack (Lutjanus argentimaculatus), banded and spotted grunter (Pomadasys kaakan and Pomadasys argenteus), pikey and yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus berda and Acanthopagrus australis), tilapia (Oreochromis spp.), jungle perch (Kuhlia rupestris) and mud crab (Scylla serrata). The results of each survey method are discussed with a focus on spatial and temporal patterns in diversity and catch rate.