PhD student Toby Piddocke from the University’s National Marine Science Centre based at Coffs Harbour is using acoustic telemetry to follow the movements of mangrove jack in northern New South Wales. Anglers are being offered a gift voucher to the value of $50 for each of the first 20 live specimens donated to the study.

The research is funded by the NSW Saltwater Recreational Fishing Trust.

At this stage, the research team is seeking live fish from the NSW North Coast locations of Deep Creek (near Valla) and the Clarence River.

“The use of acoustic tags will enable us to track the jacks over a two-year period,” Toby said.

“We’re particularly interested in seeing whether they move from estuaries to offshore reefs once they reach maturity. As well as that, we’re interested in seeing how jacks move around within an estuary. For example, where they spend the day as opposed to the night, and where they go on high tide versus low tide.”

Mangrove jack (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) are found in estuaries, coastal swamps and rivers across northern Australia, stretching from northern NSW into Queensland, the Northern Territory and down to Shark Bay in Western Australia.

Toby said that southern mangrove jack possess some unique characteristics that make them highly prized by recreational anglers.

“In North Queensland estuaries, mangrove jack are relatively abundant but their average size is fairly small, around 45 centimetres. However, in southern estuaries, between Coffs Harbour and the Queensland border, they tend to be fewer in number but considerably larger, up to about 60 centimetres and three kilograms in weight,” he said.

The research will determine whether the size difference might reflect longer inshore residence times by adult fish.

“Not only does the size of mangrove jack in northern NSW waters make them popular with anglers, but they’re seen as being really challenging. They’re elusive and when you do snare one it puts up a good fight,” said Toby.

In addition to the tagging component of the research, mangrove jack frames (filleted skeletons with head and guts intact) are also being sought to study the age, growth, diet and reproduction of the species.

The outcomes of the research will be used to help ensure the long-term viability of the recreational mangrove jack fishery in Northern NSW.

Anglers interested in taking part in the research can find out more information by contacting Toby Piddocke at the National Marine Science Centre on 02 6648 3900 or via email mangrovejackresearch@gmail.com

PICTURE: Toby Piddocke measuring a mangrove jack.

About 9.50pm yesterday (Tuesday 31 January 2012), a 66-year-old man from Coutts Crossing was driving towards Grafton and tried to drive across a low-lying flood-affected road.

The car he was driving has become immersed in water and stopped. It appears the man got out the car and entered the water which was approximately 160cm deep and was swept into a culvert and washed underneath the roadway. A passing motorist has seen the car in the water, stopped and commenced to search for the driver.

Police attended the scene and discovered the owner of the car was a local man. They commenced a search and located the body of the man about five metres from the car and attempted to revive him without success.

Police are now preparing a report for the Coroner.

Superintendent Mark Holahan, Coffs/Clarence Local Area Commander and Local Emergency Operations Controller, said this was a tragic incident which could have been avoided.

“Along with the NSW State Emergency Service we have been urging people whether they are driving, walking or riding, to never enter flood-affected areas,” he said.

“Our simple message is – if it is flooded, forget it.

“With rain continuing to fall we are urging the community not to take risks, to listen to the emergency services and to take care.”

Members of the public seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm should call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500 or visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au.

For the latest on road closures members of the community can visit the website www.livetraffic.com or contact their local councils. Members of the public can also visit www.emergency.nsw.gov.au for a range of flood-related information. For all other emergencies, the public should contact Triple Zero.

Presented by Queensland-based arts organisation Artisan, it is an exhibition showcasing 100 stories of great Australian women who have broken down the barriers in arts, sciences, humanities and sports, and 100 brooches made in response to these stories by 100 women jewellers from across Australia.
 
Maitland Regional Gallery will also tour to Grafton in May 2014 with In[Two]Art, an exhibition exploring artist couples who are recognised as practising artists and who create works as individuals.
 
Lismore Regional Gallery will host Survivor, an interactive art project by contemporary Indonesian-Australian artist Dadang Christano.

Toured to the region by national arts network Kultour, the exhibition will combine performance art, photography and video installation and will run from 21 July – 26 August 2012.
 
Ms Saffin welcomed the touring of exhibitions to both regional galleries.
 
“This is a terrific opportunity for the region to experience these significant art and cultural exhibitions and celebrate Australia’s great creative talent,” she said.
 
“I would encourage all to come and visit and support our wonderful local galleries that enrich our lives with the exhibitions that they provide to us.”
 
The Visions of Australia program is part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting exhibitions of Australian cultural material. Visual arts and craft exhibitions are supported through the Contemporary Touring Initiative, which is a joint program of the Australian, state and territory governments, under the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy.
 
For more information on the Visions of Australia program and the Contemporary Touring Initiative visit www.arts.gov.au/regional/visions-of-australia

About 3.45pm yesterday (Saturday 14 January 2012), two Sydney women were sunbaking on Pippi Beach in Yamba when they were approached by three young people.

One of the youths, armed with a large stick, allegedly attacked one of the women, striking her on the back of the head and shoulders.

The youths then rummaged through the women’s bags, taking a wallet and cash, before running from the scene.

Police were contacted and immediately commenced a search for the youths.

Two youths, aged 15 and 12, and matching descriptions provided to police, were sighted on Robinson Street shortly after the search commenced. However, upon spotting police, the youths ran into a nearby golf course.

Police pursued them, arresting one in the golf course and the other at a property in Robinson Street a short time later.

The third youth, an 11-year-old, was arrested in nearby bushland.

All three young people were taken to Yamba Police Station.

The 15-year-old was charged with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon (in company), resisting arrest, breaching bail and having suspected stolen goods. She was refused bail to appear via video link at Parramatta Children’s Court today (Sunday 15 January 2012).

The 11-year-old and 12-year-old were charged with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon (in company). Both were granted conditional bail to appear before the Maclean Children’s Court on 14 February 2012.

About 4:15pm, Tuesday 3 January 2012, police stopped a purple Daewoo Lanos near the intersection of Ocean and Boronia Streets following reports of a domestics dispute.

The 31-year-old driver was spoken to and subsequent checks revealed he was wanted on arrest warrants for drug-related matters.

Police conducted a search of the car where they allegedly located apparatus used for the manufacturing of prohibited drugs in the boot.

It is also alleged police located a small amount of amphetamines and cannabis inside the car.

The 31-year-old man was arrested and taken to Grafton Police Station.

He was charged with manufacture prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, driving offences and two arrest warrants and refused bail.

A 33-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car was also arrested but later released without charge pending further investigations.

NPWS Pest Management Officer, Lisa Wellman, said that the survey is being undertaken from until December 16 as part of the Fox Threat Abatement Plan and will provide important data on shorebird numbers and movements to assist with management.

“The survey targets three key threatened species – the pied oystercatcher, beach stone-curlew and little terns – in order to get a snapshot of their abundance,” Ms Wellman said.

“The region is an important habitat for shorebirds and there are many challenges for conservation in managing an area of high population growth like this.

“This is the second year the survey has been undertaken. Last year’s survey found that the Northern Rivers region had about one third of the state’s pied oystercatchers (102) and about half of the beach stone-curlews (9). Little terns were in comparatively small numbers, with only 27 adults found in the region, out of about 1400 across the state.’

“The survey will target beaches and the estuaries of the Clarence, Evans, Brunswick and Tweed Rivers.

“Visitors to the coastal areas may well see NPWS rangers, Marine Park staff and volunteers including the Byron Bird Buddies out and about in boats and on foot with binoculars.

“We are looking forward to seeing how shorebirds are faring in the region, 12 months on.”

Police have been told that about 6am, two surfers were 150m off Back Beach at Angourie, 6km from Yamba, when one felt a bump on his board.

The 50-year-old man and his 33-year-old friend immediately returned to shore and found a large piece bitten out of the rear right side of the older man’s surfboard.

The man also suffered minor lacerations to his right thigh, which he treated himself at home.

National Parks and Wildlife, the Department of Primary Industry (Fisheries) and local life savers were advised of the incident and signs have been placed at entry to the beach.

The 30-year-old man dropped the toddler off at his mother’s workplace on Harwood Island about 2pm yesterday (Tuesday 6 December 2011).

She immediately noticed bruising to her son’s head, face and neck area.

An ambulance was called to the scene when the child’s condition deteriorated.

He was taken by paramedics to Grafton Hospital for emergency treatment.

Police from Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command were contacted and commenced inquiries.

The man – who was previously in a relationship with the child’s mother – was arrested at a residence on Palm Lane, Harwood, about 5.30pm.

Thirty small cannabis plants were allegedly discovered inside the residence at the time.

The man was subsequently charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and cultivating a prohibited plant.

He has been conditionally bailed to appear in Maclean Local Court on Tuesday 13 December 2011.

It will be alleged the child’s injuries were suffered when he was slammed into a wall by the man.

After 18 months planning and research for the exhibition, 100 professional and amateur surfing photographs from every state and decade from 1911 showcase a diverse range of skill, content and creativity while at all times showing some technical merit.

The 100 photographs exemplify the legacy of Osric Notley, the first person accredited with taking a surfing photograph back in the summer season of 1911/12 at Main Beach, Yamba, in northern NSW.

Priceless gems at the exhibition include the cover photos from two 1962 surfing bibles of the day, the first Surfing World and Surf About magazines.

Female surfer Isabel Letham and friends with the Duke swim at Freshwater in Sydney in 1915 is an absolute rare find, as to are Ma and Pa Bendall from the Sunshine Coast.

A number of the masters of the lens in their era have contributed their favourite masterpieces including John Witzig’s ‘Headless McTavish’, Alby Falzon’s Bobby Brown at Angourie, Jack McCoy at Gnaraloo Station and Christo Reid at Wanna Beach, South Australia.

Some surf photographers look like they simply have a death wish when they paddle out at Cyclops in SA and Shipsterns in Tasmania, with two massive waves caught on camera in 2006 and 2003 and submitted by Russell Ord and Sean Davey.

South Coast photographer Dave Milnes has generously contributed a previously unpublished photo of surfing legend Bobby Brown taken at Port Kembla.

Angourie veterans Albert Fox and John Batcheldor relive their 1963 road trip to Byron Bay from Warilla captured on a Box Brownie while surfing at Blood and Guts (Belongil).

Like the turn of the century in 1900, there was a massive shift in photographic equipment, enabling photography to be picked up by the masses, not unlike today.  An example of this new technology comes in the form of 11-year-old Pheonix Short, who submitted an image he took of himself with his ‘Go Pro’.

Some of the international surf names – Andy Irons, Layne Beachley and Kelly Slater – are also immortalised in the exhibition.

Organisers may have also inadvertently found Australia’s first female surf photographer – a Yamba woman, Sharmian Maxwell, instead of lying on the beach in her polka dot bikini, was out and about with her father’s camera snapping Angourie in 1964.

A vintage display of retro camera gear will also be feature of the exhibition.

The exhibition is on for two months – 3rd December to 3rd February 2012.

Entry fee is $5 (children free), and funds raised go to the disability surfers and Yamba Museum, which will be gifted the collection at the end of the exhibition.

No photographs are for sale. The exhibition will become a permanent collection for the community of Yamba, the birthplace of Australian Surfing Photography.

Video Links:

1.      One Click in Time http://vimeo.com/32725491

2.      Blood and Guts http://vimeo.com/32733262

Venue Link

Yamba Museum http://www.pyhsmuseum.org.au/

PICTURES (from top): A shot by an unknown photographer, dated 1917; David Milnes, 1964; Frank Pithers, 1973; Russell Ord, 2003.

About 10.15am today (Friday 11 November 2011), a north-bound Range Rover was involved in an incident with a semi-trailer, and as a result spun around and ended up in the southbound lanes of the Pacific Highway, Chatsworth.

A southbound Tarago commuter van then collided with the rear of the Range Rover.

As a result of the crash the driver and front passenger of the Tarago died at the scene. They have been identified as a 62-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman from the Leeton area.

The female driver of the Range Rover, as well as three child passengers – two girls and a boy – were all taken to Coffs Harbour Health Campus with varying injuries which are not considered life-threatening.

The semi-trailer involved in the incident left the scene without stopping. It was stopped by police at Ballina a short time later and the driver is assisting with inquiries.

Police and emergency services remain on the scene.

The Pacific Highway is blocked in both directions and will be blocked for a number of hours.

Traffic is being diverted around the scene.

Any witnesses to the crash should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.