Fluke Matcher was developed by a team of researchers including Daniel Burns and Professor Peter Harrison, from Southern Cross University’s Marine Ecology Research Centre, and Dr Eric Kniest, from the University of Newcastle and was funded by the Australian Government.

Dan Burns said the whale research group was excited to be releasing this powerful new technology to the research community.

“Researchers from Australia and around the world have been collecting hundreds and sometimes thousands of fluke photographs to identify individual humpback whales over many years. We recognise whales by their tail fluke pigmentation and scarring patterns,” Mr Burns said.

“This is a valuable collection of data but because of the difficulty we have had comparing images within different catalogues, the potential of this resource has not been fully realised. Traditional methods have required substantial time, effort and expertise.

“With this computer-aided matching system, our knowledge and understanding can grow significantly from here. At present different research groups tend to use different programs, but we think Fluke Matcher will take photo-identification analysis to new levels and get everybody onto the same page, allowing different groups to collaborate and match their data more efficiently in a standardised way.

“We have already received interest from researchers around Australia and all over the world. We will be conducting training in Australia soon, and I will be travelling to Auckland in a few weeks to train researchers from the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium, of which I’m also a member, in the use of the program. We also hope to collaborate with Northern Hemisphere scientists in the future.”

Mr Burns said that while computer-based matching systems had been developed for other marine species, including some cetaceans, Fluke Matcher was the first successful computerised system for humpback whales.

“The program uses various characteristics of humpback whale flukes to identify individuals, including black and white pigmentation distribution; angles and distances describing the shape of the fluke; and the location of distinctive features such as spots, lines and areas of damage,” Mr Burns said.

“When searching for a given fluke, the program then ranks all of the images in the database from the most likely to the least likely match for that fluke, and the operator then visually checks the ranked images to find any matches.

“Photo-identification is a valuable tool that allows whale researchers to determine various aspects of humpback whale biology and ecology, including estimates of abundance, migration patterns and interchange rates, and biological parameters such as calving and mortality rates.

“The collaborative aspect of this project is particularly important for improving our understanding of the movements and mixing of humpback whales on and between their feeding grounds in Antarctica and their breeding grounds in tropical and sub-tropical waters.

“This will help to determine the relationship between the endangered Oceania population and the faster-recovering east Australian population, the amount of mixing in the Antarctic and improve the accuracy of pre-whaling population estimates and recovery assessments.”

Professor Peter Harrison, director of the Marine Ecology Research Centre, said this was a significant development which would lead to greater international collaboration.

“This revolutionary tool will enable a much more efficient and collaborative use of data that is collected from around the world and will lead to improved management and conservation outcomes,” Professor Harrison said.

To find out more you can visit the Fluke Matcher website at: www.scu.edu.au/research/whales/fluke-matcher/index.php/3

PICTURE: The new Fluke Matcher computer program will enable researchers from around the world to collate humpback whale photographic catalogues.

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The second was a serious incident and resulted in the successful rescue of a body-boarder who was swept around the point and on to rocks.

At around 7.30am surf lifesavers were called to respond to two swimmers in trouble at the northern end of Tallow Beach.

Rescue craft were dispatched to the scene but were stood down before they arrived after a boardrider managed to assist the swimmers back to shore.

Less than an hour later they received a call to the same location to rescue the stranded body-boarder.

“Rough seas and strong winds made for dangerous conditions along this stretch of coastline today and the body-boarder was being pushed up against rocks,” Surf Life Saving NSW said.

“The only rescue craft which could safely reach the body-boarder was the Surf Rescue Jet Ski, which did well to retrieve the person in extremely difficult conditions.

“The patient was returned to the shore and was treated for cuts and abrasions.”

The Jetski remained in the Tallow Beach area for some time after, warning swimmers and surfers to leave the water as large movements of rough water continued to make conditions very dangerous along the unpatrolled stretch of coast.

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Neil Weatherson, Ballina Byron Airport manager, was delighted to receive a phone call from Jetstar last Friday afternoon announcing the five additional weekly services.

“What a great way to end the week. We’re elated to have even more flights to offer our passengers and it also demonstrates Jetstar’s future confidence in the growth of the Sydney to Ballina-Byron route,” Mr Weatherson said.

“These additional flights coupled with the recently installed self check-in kiosks offer more flexibility and convenience for our customers.”

Simon Westaway, Jetstar’s Head of Corporate Relations, said: “Jetstar has reverted to its strongest market position in the Sydney to Ballina Byron market with this announcement.

“The additional flights will be a new Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday morning service.

“Jetstar will grow its Sydney to Ballina Byron operations by a further 92,000 seats on an annual basis.

“From 2 December, ahead of the busy Christmas and January school holiday period, Jetstar will revert to a double daily return A320 service by permanently raising our flight schedule.

“The Sydney-Ballina route continues to perform ahead of expectation and this capacity growth is clearly warranted. We believe the introduction of these flights are well-timed ahead of the summer peak season and then to provide a consistent twice daily return service with convenient morning and afternoon departure times from both Sydney and Ballina Byron Airport.”

Flight and fare information is available at www.Jetstar.com

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On closer inspection you can read the names of the streets and roads that make up this imaginary location…

Holiday Let Road; Bong Head Court; and Only People Who Practice Yoga Can Live Here Boulevard, are just a few examples that give a taste of the theme of the work.

Kelly says her painting is intended to be viewed as satirical, with the street names she has used inspired by a mix of her own experience as a Byron shire resident, and the Letters to the Editor she reads in the Echo.

And whilst it may appear to be a slur on the local situation, Kelly says the work is also about the national experience of the sea-change phenomenon, and could be set anywhere up and down the coast, in one of the many small coastal towns that have suddenly gained an influx of new residents. 
 
Kelly’s painting is the centrepiece for a new exhibition opening at Retrospect Galleries, exploring the contemporary Australian landscape, also by chance entitled, You Are Here.

The show features work by a select group of local and interstate artists, including 2010 Byron Art Classic Representation Prize winners Juan Fernandez and Karen Jennings, Alstonville artist Stephen Phibbs and Brisbane’s Lisa Lee.

Melbourne artist Adrian Doyle will be exhibiting for the first time at Retrospect, presenting a new series of works that explore the changing relationship between Australians with the landscape. 

“We are an urbanised community, with an unfamiliar relationship with the rural landscape,” Doyle says.

“Whilst the romantic notion of the Australian landscape still exists, it has been hijacked by sentimentality and nostalgia.

“The true modern Australian landscape is made up of identical clad suburban streets and small suburbs with small, but important suburban stories.

“It is in this mediocrity that Australia finds its greatness, and a large part of its identity.”

You Are Here opens at Retrospect Galleries 6pm Friday, August 27. Opening speech by Mandy Nolan, followed by an informal street naming competition, over beers provided by Byron-based brewers Stone and Wood. 

For more information phone the Gallery on 02 6680 8825 or visit www.retrospectgalleries.com.

Image: Kelly Sullivan, You Are Here.

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National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Pest Management Officer Lisa Wellman said that the dogs can be trained to search for pests such as foxes, cane toads, rabbits and cats.

“Using sniffer dogs is an efficient way to locate fox dens, which can then be fumigated,” Ms Wellman said.

“The dogs’ trainer, Stephen Austin, has 25 years experience with training sniffer dogs for a range of work, including quarantine and conservation activities.

“Gus and Katie have been trained to national and international standards. This ensures that they are target-specific and are safe to use in protected areas, such as national parks, where dogs are not permitted.

“On Wednesday, Stephen will be explaining to staff from across the region how the dogs can be used to assist in pest animal control work and will then be giving a demonstration in Arakwal National Park.

“On Thursday, Gus and Katie will help to locate fox dens in Broadwater National Park.

“The dogs may be used in ongoing pest animal control programs in the future. Bringing in the dogs prior to the shorebird breeding season would help to locate and monitor fox dens, with early detection affording some protection of the birds from foxes.

“Stephen Austin has trained dogs to locate feral animals in a penguin colony on Macquarie Island and worked on similar projects throughout the world.”

PICTURE: Stephen Austin with two of his sniffer dogs on Macquarie Island.

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National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Pest Management Officer Lisa Wellman said that baiting will commence on Tuesday 31st of August.

“Tyagarah Nature Reserve has been identified as a priority in the Statewide Fox Threat Abatement Plan,” Ms Wellman said. 

“A 1997 survey estimated that 80-90 individual long-nosed potoroos inhabit the nature reserve. However, a 2009 scientific study failed to capture any. This study drew the conclusion that potoroos may have declined in the reserve due to foxes.

“Predation by foxes is one of the main factors contributing to the decline of the long-nosed potoroo across its range.

“Potoroos are now being monitored in the reserve by means of 20 fixed cameras and the results of this monitoring will be available next week.

“The fox baiting program is a joint initiative of the NPWS and North Coast Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA). 1080 baits will be placed along the boundaries of the reserve and the coastal trail within the reserve until the 19th December 2010.

“While 1080 fox baits are designed to kill foxes, they will also kill dogs. All areas that are baited will be signposted. It is important that people only take their dogs to designated dog exercise areas. 1080 baits will not be laid in or in the vicinity of these dog exercise areas to ensure responsible pet owners are able to exercise their dogs safely.

“Dogs are not permitted in the reserve or on the beach adjoining, which is part of Cape Byron Marine Park.”

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National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Pest Management Officer Lisa Wellman said that the group hopes to improve shorebird management by sharing resources and ideas and developing effective regional strategies.

“Both migratory and resident shorebirds are under pressure right across the region as the population increases. Predation by animals such as foxes also places them at risk,” she said.

“While national and international agreements to protect shorebirds are important, local efforts to protect them are also essential.

“Shorebirds have three basic habitat requirements: roosting, foraging and nesting areas. Avoiding disturbance of these areas is crucial for their survival.

“The population of shorebirds in NSW is estimated at 23,200. Important coastal sites in this region include Flat Rock and South Ballina Beach near the Richmond River estuary and Woody Head and other beaches adjacent to the Clarence River estuary.

“The new regional shorebird group includes representatives from State and local government, community groups and interested individuals.’

“Our aim is to work together to raise awareness of shorebirds and improve the effectiveness of our management strategies through greater co-ordination.

“The group’s formation is timely as we anticipate the arrival of migratory shorebirds such as little terns on our beaches in spring.

“Migratory shorebirds make a huge journey by a route called the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. This is one of the world’s great flyways, stretching from Russia to Australia. The flyway passes through 22 countries with 55 migratory species using it.

“The Pied Oystercatchers at Belongil Beach, near Byron Bay, have also now started breeding and beach users are asked to leave them undisturbed at this important period.”

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The technologically advanced check-in solution, where Jetstar has partnered with IBM Global Business Services, will see three installed self-service kiosks to supplement existing customer check-in processes for the first time at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport.

Airport Manager Neil Weatherson said the new self-service kiosks would further enhance the overall travelling experience at the airport, bringing it in line with major Australian airports which host this popular technology.

“This new facility at the airport takes us to next level of service. Jetstar passengers, whether regular or infrequent flyers, will have the choice to self-check themselves onto their flight, avoid queues and then relax in the terminal prior to travel,” Mr Weatherson said.
 
“I congratulate Jetstar on listening to their customers and introducing this easy-to-use technology here at the local airport.”

J”etstar’s fitout of self-service kiosks at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport will suit all customers with the investment supportive of any projected growth in future flights by better leveraging existing terminal infrastructure.”

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said its self-service kiosks at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport were part of Jetstar’s initiative to deliver a future 100 per cent customer self-service experience incorporating web check-in, processing via kiosk or future use of SMS Boarding Pass technology via people’s mobile phones.

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Join Sandy Gandhi, Alesha-Nicole (she makes Priscilla look like a desert), Cathy Martin and the fabulous Jackie Loeb who does Julia better than the PM herself!

Jackie brought the roof down several times at this year’s Big Joke Festival, and for those of you who missed it, here’s your chance to catch her  (check her out -  www.jackieloeb.com)

If you’re having a Birthday, come and party with the girls – discounts available for groups of 10 or more.

“Looking forward to seeing you all,” said Sandy, Australia’s most easterly Indian.

Hilarious Hysterical Wickedly Wacky Women Jackie Loeb & Sandy Gandhi in
WET YOUR PANTS
The musical!!
A mostly all-girl environmentally sustainable, drought-resistant Comedy Spectacular
Including a torrent of under-wired support from
‘Funny’ gal Alesha-Nicole … she put the Grrr into girl!
Cathy Martin on her new-age boyfriend, Open Mike
And a special appearance by the raining ‘PM’ herself!

2 SHOWerS only
Friday 27 August The BANGALOW BOWLING CLUB
Saturday 28 August The BYRON BAY BOWLING CLUB
SHOWS START @ 8 PM – Restaurants open at 5.30 PM
Tickets $25 – Early Booking Recommended – 6687 1005 or Email: sandy.gandhi@bigpond.com
Proudly Sponsored by Mullumbimby PRINTWORKS – 6684 3633

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Peta Beeman, who is completing a Master of Marine Science and Management and is part of the University’s Marine Ecology Research Centre, is aiming to bring together photographs of individual whales from Victoria north to the Whitsunday Islands.

Her project aims to provide a better understanding of humpback whale migration timing, travel speed and movement patterns.

Through her project, being undertaken with the support of Whale Watching Byron Bay, she is collecting photos of humpback whales from tourists and tour operators along the Australian east coast, from the Whitsunday Islands to southern Victoria.

“These photos will be used to create a fluke catalogue that will significantly expand the range of individually identified humpback whales along the Australian east coast,” Ms Beeman said.

“Each season many encounters with humpbacks will be photographed by operators and tourists and some of these photos can provide potentially useful scientific information. These are an untapped source of valuable data.

“The photos I am particularly interested in show the unique pigmentation pattern on the ventral surface (underside) of the tail fluke that enables individual whales to be identified.

“Each of these photographs will be matched against photographs from other locations and other years. This opportunistic data can prove to be extremely valuable to build information about life histories, movement patterns and the timing of migration.

“For example, if a known individual whale is photographed at different points on its east coast migration path, the travel speed, timing of migration, association patterns and whether it has a calf is important information that can be incorporated into a long-term population-level dataset.”

Ms Beeman said anyone who contributed would receive feedback on the individual whale, such as whether it had been seen previously. A website was also being developed so people could upload their photos of tail flukes.

“Throughout the whale watching season, while working as a whale watch guide at Byron Bay, I photograph the tail flukes of humpback whales and record behavioural data,” she said.

“The number of whales heading north has been building since late May and in the last couple of weeks we have seen a lot of competitive behaviour between adult whales, such as lunging at each other, breaching and slapping the surface of the water with their tails.

“We have also been hearing whale song when we listen on the vessel’s hydrophone. The singing and competitive activity are both typical behaviour during the breeding season.”

Professor Peter Harrison, director of the Marine Ecology Research Centre, said this project was part of the ongoing work of the Centre, which was vital for the protection and management of humpback whales.

Last year the Centre prepared a major report on the Global Conservation Status of Cetaceans for the Federal Government, which listed 14 species of whales and dolphins as threatened.

“There are a range of serious threats facing cetaceans, including ongoing whaling. These issues and their impacts on the global status of cetaceans are being examined through this project and other work being done in collaboration with international research and conservation groups,” Professor Harrison said.

Ms Beeman’s project is being supported by Whale Watching Byron Bay.

Anyone interested in more information or contributing photographs can contact Peta at peta.beeman@internode.on.net

PICTURE:Humpback whales can be individually identified through photographs of their flukes (tails). Photo by Peta Beeman.

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