Motupore Island, Bootless Bay (Papua New Guinea): 24th – 27th October 2008

In late October 2008, Seagrass-Watch HQ visited Motupore Island, near Port Moresby, (Papua New Guinea) to conduct a Seagrass-Watch training exercise as one of the components of the University of Papua New Guinea Marine Training Course.

Thirty participants from throughout PNG attended, including local representatives from the local Motuan community attended. The training was held at the Motupore Island Research Centre and facilitated by Ursula Kolkolo and Rickson Lis, with financial support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

As part of the training, 3rd and 4th year UPNG students learnt seagrass identification, seagrass biology, why seagrasses are important and how they are threatened globally, how to monitor and map seagrass meadows, and how to manage the threats that continue to impact seagrass and marine ecosystems.

All participants enjoyed the 3 day course and many commented that they did not realize the importance of seagrass meadows; vowing that on returning to their local regions, they would endeavor to impart their knowledge to the local communities to help support seagrass and marine conservation.

To download the Workshop feedback pdf (Click here)

 

Nhulunbuy, NE Arnhem Land (NT, Australia): 18 – 20 October 2008

Seagrass-Watch HQ visited Nhulenbuy in mid October to conduct a training workshop with the Land and Sea Rangers of the Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation. The workshop was supported by the Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation, the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport, Park and Wildlife Commission Northern Territory, Bachelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and Seagrass-Watch HQ. Local coordination by Neil Smit and Vanessa Walsh.

A new monitoring site was established at Giddies River (GR1) in Melville Bay. Workshop particpants learnt not only how to monitor their seagrass but also about seagrass mapping and management.

As part of the workshop, Neil Smit from NRETAS also demonstrated his Remote Operated Vehicle which is used to assess deeper water seagrass and benthos.

For information on Dhimurru visit www.dhimurru.com.au

To download the Workshop feedback pdf (Click Here)

 

Goold Island, Cardwell (Qld, Australia): 04 June 2008

 

 

Hervey Bay (Qld, Australia): 17 - 18 May 2008

 

Workshop 17 May 2008

 

Participants from the Hervey Bay Dugong & Seagrass Monitoring Program,  Great Sandy Strait Fauna & Flora Watch and the Fraser Coast Regional Council attended the Seagrass-Watch workshop in Hervey Bay from 17th - 18th May, held at the Urangan Community Centre (Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens). 

The workshop, held over 2 days, brought participants up-to-date on what was happening to seagrass in their region and around the globe. It also included lessons on seagrass identification, background on seagrass ecology, the importance of seagrass and how to monitor seagrasses using the Seagrass-Watch protocols.

The field session on the 18th May, moved to Burrum Heads, where participants got a chance to put into practise what they had learnt in the classroom, where they monitored a Seagrass-Watch site at Burrum Heads.

To download the Workshop feedback pdf (Click Here)

 

Bowen (Qld): 17 May 2008

To download the Workshop feedback pdf (CLICK HERE)

 

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Correct citation: McKenzie, LJ., Yoshida, RL., Mellors, JE & Coles, RG. (2006 - 2010). Seagrass-Watch. www.seagrasswatch.org. 228pp. Disclaimer: The views expressed on this site are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Queensland Government. Website designed by McKenzie, LJ., Yoshida, RL.