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.

Three species of sea turtle that nest on Western Cape York Peninsula could face regional extinction by the year 2030, according to the findings of a 2006 Turtle Nest Predation Monitoring Program conducted by the Cape York Peninsula Development Association Inc (CYPDA).

The CYPDA coordinate monitoring of turtle nest predation by Indigenous rangers, funded through the Australian Government. Brian Benham, CYPDA, said the data collected in 2006 gave a clear indication of the immediate risk to turtle populations on Cape York’s western coastline.