Exotic fish are dominating native fish in the Ross River.

While it may seem kinder to free or flush ‘Willy’ into the river or toilet, one Willy can become thousands of pest fish.

It’s suspected that Townsville’s itinerant population is dumping aquarium fish.

The Ross River has the highest number of exotic or introduced fish in Queensland.

Willy may be a Swordtail, Guppy, Platy, or Sailfin Molly.

They are aggressive to native fish, eating their food, chasing them out of their habitat and stealing breeding sites.

Willy’s partner Wilhelmina can produce a larger number of young than her native competitor.

They can live in poor quality water allowing them to survive where our native fish can’t.

Diana O’Donnell from NQ Dry Tropics said for new residents it seems exotic to set up a tropical fish aquarium at home but releasing the introduced fish when moving on, leaves a terrible legacy for the environment.

“When moving arrange for friends to take your aquarium or return the fish to a commercial aquarium but please do not release them.” Diana said.

Aquarium enthusiasts can keep fish indigenous to the tropics of north Queensland, instead of from foreign waters.

Diana said, “The native archer fish, purple spot gudgeon and empire gudgeon, while not as flashy as gold fish, do look very attractive in an aquarium.

Campers, beach-goers, and holiday makers are reminded to dispose of their rubbish appropriately over the Easter break. 

Mary-Alice Swan, Burnett Mary Regional Group’s (BMRG) new Coastal and Critical Aquatic Habitats Coordinator, said plastic, cigarette butts and other rubbish all have the potential to kill coastal and marine animals such as fish, shorebirds, turtles and dolphins. 

“When enjoying our unique beaches, rivers and beautiful bush over Easter, we should try to leave them in a better state than we found them,” Ms Swan said. 

“Put your rubbish back into your esky or bag; don’t leave it there to be washed into the waterways and the oceans.” 

“The recent floods and rains were a reminder of how litter and all sorts of things can be swept into creeks and rivers, even from urban areas, so it’s best to dispose of rubbish properly.” 

A UN study in 2006 revealed an average of 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of the ocean. The health of coastal and aquatic habitats is of large concern to Ms Swan, whose responsibilities in her new role at BMRG include reducing threats to coastal systems. 

 Presentations delivered at the Inaugural Reef Rescue Showcase held last month in Cairns are now available. The presentations include:

• A focus on best-practice science and engagement | NQ Dry Tropics
• Strong partnerships and sound delivery model engaging cane growers in the Lower Burdekin | NQ Dry Tropics
• An overview of Reef Rescue | Mike Berwick
• Partnerships for Practice Change | Fitzroy Basin Association
• Grains BMP program - boosting productivity and reef water quality | Grains BMP officers and participants
• What we understand and what we need to understand better: the change in research focus | Hugh Yorkston, GBRMPA
• Underpinning science to target improved practice change | Fitzroy Basin Association
• Industry-wide Reef Rescue projects - big picture projects helping out regional growers and graziers
• Milking the P's to change: powerful partnerships using performing programs, precision planning and proven practices | Rick Kowitz, Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation
• Horticulture: in partnership with the Reef | Growcom
• Healthy Country: managing the land for healthy waterways - a case study from SEQ | SEQ Catchments
• Reef Rescue success in the Wet Tropics | Terrain

Two new Reef Rescue publications will be available in March, helping to spread the word about the unique Queensland program. A fact sheet provides an overview of the program, the role of industry and regional NRM groups and how funding can be accessed by land managers across reef catchments. A new quarterly newsletter provides industry and regional groups with an avenue for sharing news about how their work is contributing to improving the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. The first newsletter features stories about a new DVD produced by CANEGROWERS, managing for fire across Cape York and how Reef Rescue has given new graziers a hand in the NQ Dry Tropics region. Both publications, produced in partnership by Queensland Farmers Federation and Queensland Regional NRM Groups Collective are available online at www.rgc.org.au from 10 March 2010 or by contacting Lane Pilon on 07 4699 5000. The deadline for the next edition of the newsletter is Tuesday 30 April and contributions can be sent to sam@wombatcreative.com.au.

The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility is holding the last of the NCCARF Seminar Series event for 2009: 'Enhancing Adaptive Capacity in Coastal Communities'  with guest speaker Professor Tim Smith  Director of the Sustainability Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast.

This will be particularly relevant for people working or studying climate change, environmental/coastal planning, emergency management, public health or community services, among others.  

This event will be held Tues 17 November at Griffith University South Bank QCA Theatre, Brisbane (s05_2.04) at  4-5pm  followed by Christmas drinks and networking.

RSVPs are essential to Kerry Fitzgerald on  k.fitzgerald@griffith.edu.au

Location

Understanding the impact of herbicides on the Great Barrier Reef  The issues, the science, the on‐ground practice and the future
 

CANEGROWERS is hosting a workshop to better understand the impact of herbicides on the Great Barrier Reef and how to  best balance reef health with sugar production.  

The facilitated workshop will focus on herbicides and water quality to:
• Identify an approach on how best to balance reef health with  sugar production 

• Provide an opportunity to share expert knowledge among participants 

• Develop a better understanding of the on‐ground, scientific and regulatory settings

See the attached flyer for more information.
 

Location