community – Page 9 – ANGFA Queensland

The goldfish test that can change your behaviour

Feb 042014

Original story by Miriam Sullivan, University of Western Australia at The Conversation

The average Australian spends more than five hours watching YouTube every month.

With such high viewership, it’s no surprise that interest groups are reaching out with YouTube to try to change people’s behaviour, including well known campaigns such as Beyond Blue’s Man Therapy and Tourism Australia’s Best Jobs in the World. But how successful are they?

One memorable goldfish. Photo: Flickr/ Benson Kua

What influence?

It’s well established that television and movies can influence audience behaviour. For example, medical dramas can increase the number of people signing up for organ donation and encourage women to get breast cancer screenings, while movies that feature smoking increase the number of teenagers taking up smoking.

There’s even a Hollywood charity dedicated to using television and films for promoting public health messages. However, YouTube videos are much shorter than television shows or movies, meaning that people have less time to become involved and persuaded to change their behaviour.

In our study we looked at whether a single viewing of a YouYube video could influence a person’s behaviour a month later. More specifically, we looked at whether watching a 50-second YouTube clip could encourage pet fish owners to regularly clean out their aquariums.

The experiment

Why pet fish? In many behavioural studies results can be biased by outside influences. If we studied exercise or smoking the participants would have been exposed to similar advertising campaigns elsewhere and might be tempted to lie about their behaviour to feel better about themselves. We were fairly confident that fish owners wouldn’t come across any other videos on cleaning fish tanks.

Fish are also the forgotten family pet. Just like cats and dogs, fish are intelligent, long-lived and can feel pain, but you would never flush your dead cat down a toilet or win puppies at carnivals.

With 1.5 billion pet fish sold globally every year, it’s time we started taking better care of them and regularly cleaning out an aquarium is one of the most effective ways to keep your fish healthy.

Nearly 200 fish owners took part in our online experiment. After answering a few short questions about keeping fish and how often they cleaned their tank, they were randomly assigned to one of three groups.

Goldfish survey video: the sad version.

Two of the groups were shown different videos designed to improve their tank cleaning habits, either a sad video about pets dying or a funny video of fish pooing. The remaining control group were shown no video at all.

Goldfish survey video: the funny version.

One month later, they were asked again how often they cleaned their tanks and what they remembered about the video.

What they remembered

Initially, it looked as if watching the YouTube video made no difference to their behaviour. About a third of people cleaned their tank more often after the experiment, a third less often and a third stayed the same.

However, a closer examination revealed that the results were slightly more complex. People who watched a video but did not improve were already doing the right thing and cleaning out their aquariums regularly.

So, rather then being unaffected by the video, they simply didn’t have room for improvement. But for the one-quarter of respondents who agreed they needed to improve, the videos made a big difference.

The group of owners who said they needed to improve but did not see either YouTube video actually got worse over the following month. Half cleaned their tank the same number of times and the other half cleaned their tank less often. None of the participants in this group improved their habits.

By comparison, 60% of fish owners who intended to improve and watched a YouTube video started cleaning out their tanks more often. Only 6% cleaned their tank less after watching the video.

Make ‘em laugh to remember

When it comes to remembering the message, comedy appears to beat tragedy, with 88% of people who saw the funny video recalling it after one month compared to 60% who recalled the sad video.

Our results suggest that YouTube videos can affect a person’s behaviour, if only by reinforcing what you already intended to do. For example, a YouTube video encouraging people to quit smoking won’t help people who don’t smoke, and won’t stop determined smokers. But it could help people who were thinking about quitting to start taking action.

So for people thinking of making a YouTube video there is some evidence to suggest that a funny video will be remembered better, which is possibly why Melbourne’s Metro Trains Dumb Ways to Die was a YouTube hit despite dealing with a serious topic.

Dumb Ways to Die

Our results, while promising, represent a small sample and may not apply to all topics or all groups of people. YouTube is an important feature of modern life and more research needs to be done to determine its full potential to influence our behaviour.

This is an edited version of Miriam Sullivan’s presentation “Can we change behaviour using YouTube?”, delivered today at the Australian Science Communicators national conference in Brisbane.

With thanks to co-researchers Professor Nancy Longnecker and Associate Professor Dominique Blache. No animals were harmed in the making of the films; they were all willing volunteers in return for treats.

This article was originally published at The Conversation.
Read the original article.

Push to make Great Barrier Reef its own legal identity

community, environment, government, waterways/wetlands

Feb 042014

Original story by Denise Carter and Kimberley Vlasic, The Cairns Post

ENVIRONMENTAL Defenders Office NQ set to launch push to give the Great Barrier Reef its own legal identity.

The Environmental Defenders' Office's Fergus Power wants to give the Great Barrier Reef its own legal entity. Photo: Tom Lee

The Environmental Defenders Office NQ in Cairns is launching a campaign on February 20 to give a legal identity to the Great Barrier Reef so it can be defended in court.

It follows the news Brisbane-based EDO Queensland is taking legal action on behalf of the North Queensland Conservation Council with the support of protest group GetUp Australia to the administrative appeals tribunal.

It is looking to overturn the decision to dump three million cubic metres of dredge spoil inside the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

"It is time," principal solicitor of EDO NQ Fergus Power said, citing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's permit grant on Friday for North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation to dredge the harbour at Abbot Point near Bowen.

He fears the move increases the potential of UNESCO putting the Reef on its "endangered" list or taking it off its World Heritage list in June.

He is also concerned about perceived conflicts of interest within GBRMPA.

"Since the dumping decision, we have had overwhelming feedback from people that the Reef should have some capacity to speak for itself," Mr Power said.

He said this approach had not yet been used in Australia but there was a precedent in New Zealand where the government gave the Whanganui River a legal identity in August 2012, so it would be treated as a "person", with a legal standing.

"There are many ways that the legal personality for the Great Barrier Reef can be approached: trustees could be appointed to look after the natural ecosystem and act on behalf of the entity," Mr Power said.

"They would be respected groups (or people) who are devoted to the protection of the natural environment, or another simple way is for all people to have standing to protect the interest of the Reef.

"The Great Barrier Reef is beyond national parties, it should be held in trust for all the people of the world.

"We already grant rights to dead objects, and the Reef is a living thing."

The launch date of the campaign by EDO NQ a non-profit, non-government community legal centre is the United Nations World Day of Social Justice.

Marine programs co-ordinator of the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre Josh Coates said he supported the move.

"I think personifying the Reef is a good idea," said Mr Coates, who is also a marine biologist.

He said there was also a high level of community concern about a proposal to dredge more than five million cubic metres of mud to expand the shipping channel in Trinity Inlet.

The Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators could also appeal the Abbot Point decision on the grounds GBRMPA has failed to fulfil its obligations to conserve and protect the Reef.

"It has to go to the board, but I don't think we can afford to walk away from this," association executive officer Col McKenzie said.

"If the leadership of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority isn't prepared to enforce their act, it's time to replace that leadership."

Mr McKenzie said a move by UNESCO to list the reef as "World Heritage in Danger" would impact on tourist numbers and tourism operators in the Whitsundays were already experiencing a downturn due to poor visibility caused by suspended matter in the water.

$10k fine issued for damaging Pumicestone Passage plants

community, fisheries, government, waterways/wetlands

Feb 042014

Original story at Sunshine Coast Daily

A SPRINGWOOD man has been fined $10,000 in the Caboolture Magistrates Court after being found guilty of damaging protected marine plants to improve the view at his Pumicestone Passage property.

Canoeing on Pumicestone Passage.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officer Vaughan Heath said the fine reflects the seriousness of the offence.

"Cutting down or destroying marine plants on Queensland shores is illegal and incredibly destructive to Queensland's fisheries resources," Mr Heath said.

"The Fisheries Act 1994 protects all marine plants in Queensland including mangroves, seagrass, salt couch, and in specific circumstances Melaleuca and Hibiscus species, regardless of whether marine plants are on private, leasehold or public lands, or alive or dead.

"It is illegal to:

• hedge, trim, lop or spray marine plants with herbicide
• remove marine plants for river views or other aesthetic reasons
• remove mangroves or salt couch from a beach or foreshore
• run machinery over marine plants
• fill tidal lands
• dump garden waste (e.g. grass clippings and pruning) onto tidal areas."

Mr Heath said the future sustainability of Queensland's recreational, commercial and indigenous fisheries was at stake if fish habitats were not protected.

"Even hedging can change the productivity of the mangroves and reduce the number of animals that live beneath the canopy due to excessive shading.

"We hope this prosecution will make people think twice about damaging protected habitat areas.

"Damaging marine plants can carry a maximum penalty of $330,000."

Residents are encouraged to help protect marine plants and report any damage to the 24 hour, toll-free Fishwatch hotline 1800 017 116.

For more information on marine plant protection, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

Recreational fishers win right to take from protected green zones

community, fisheries, government, research, waterways/wetlands

Feb 032014

Original story by Brian Williams, Sunday Mail

AMATEUR fishers have pledged to fight for as many green zones as possible to be opened to fishing after getting the go ahead from the State Government.

The move has been heavily criticised by University of Queensland ecologist and laureate fellow Hugh Possingham, who said research shows that green zones produced more and larger fish.

Sunfish chief executive Judy Lynne said it was not clear how much access would be sought but she had already received about 20 submissions – and the Mirapool green zone on Moreton Island was top of the list.

Green zones are the marine equivalent of national parks.

She said north Queensland and Great Sandy Marine Park fishers at Hervey Bay also opposed green zones in their areas.

National Parks Minister Steve Dickson announced during the Redcliffe by-election that recreational fishers could soon be able to fish at Scotts Point, Redcliffe, under a plan to change marine park zoning.

Premier Campbell Newman said he wanted to rezone 100m at Scotts Point to allow recreational fishing. It would become a special management area.

Mr Dickson has also called on fishermen to identify other green zones that they would like to fish.

“If there’s an area near you with good public access to the shoreline, where recreational fishing would have minimal impact on the environment, I urge you to tell your local MP,” he said.

The move has been heavily criticised by University of Queensland ecologist and laureate fellow Hugh Possingham, who said research showed that green zones produced more and larger fish.

“Larger fish have four to five times as many babies as fish half their size,” he said. “That’s why marine reserves are really good. It’s why recreational and professional fishers know to cluster at the edge of reserves because the fish they can catch there are much bigger than those in other areas.

“Opening up green zones defeats the purpose of fishers who want to catch more and bigger fish.”

Professor Possingham, who was on a scientific committee that helped determine bay zonings, called on Mr Dickson to reverse the decision.

Sunfish supported nursery areas being protected but believed many places that had been closed had little conservation value.

Ms Lynne said Sunfish supported nursery areas being protected but believed many places that had been closed had little conservation value.

Professor Possingham said recreational fishers already had ample fishing grounds, with access to 84 per cent of Moreton Bay.

Opening the beach at Scotts Point, it ensured fishers would be able to target species like whiting, flathead and bream in a prime area, leaving the rest of the zone as a protected area. This ensured the Government could say it had kept green zones even though critical areas were being fished.

Ms Lynne said Scott’s Point had no conservation value.

“We’re not prepared to accept that taking three or four fish has an impact,’’ she said.

Professor Possingham said the danger in recreational fishing was the cumulative impact which in some areas was so great that its take outweighed commercial fishing.

He said fishing in green zones had the potential to reduce positive results of protection.

A 2012 CSIRO Moreton Bay report says: “Although the new green zones have only been in place for approximately two years ... the average biomass of snapper, spangled emperor, redthroat emperor, black spot tusk fish, Maori rock cod and goldspot wrasse all increased in the new green zones.

“Changes to the marine park are still new and many of these species are long-lived, therefore the responses of populations within the new green zones may take many years to become fully evident.’’

Professor Possingham said it was odd that the Government would remove protection when good results had appeared so fast.

He said arguments that green zones led to impacts on camping and fishing shops and reduced boat sales were incorrect given growth in the industry.

Let us know what you think of fishing in green zones. Leave your comments below

What would we do without our wetlands?

community, waterways/wetlands

Feb 032014

Grace Wright cuddles Dewey the Dugong at the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere World Wetlands Day event. Photo: Valerie Horton

Original story at The Gympie Times

OUR Great Sandy Strait was celebrated on World Wetlands Day in Hervey Bay on Sunday.

Environmental enthusiasts gathered at the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere, where the day's theme was What Would we do Without our Wetlands?

The family friendly day out was a Fraser Coast Opportunities and Burnett Mary Regional Group collaboration.

Fraser Coast Mayor Gerard O'Connell said the Fraser Coast was a precious and special place.

"We need to preserve the environment but allow for growth," Cr O'Connell said.

FCO general manager David Spear said local iconic species, such as dugongs, marine turtles and even humpback whales, relied on the Great Sandy Strait for their survival.

Beach clean-up for baby turtles

community, environment, government, threatened species, waterways/wetlands, wildlife

Feb 032014

Original story by Nicole Fuge, Queensland Times

Baby turtle

SUNSHINE Coast conservation groups have laid out the red carpet for thousands of turtle hatchlings due to hit local beaches in coming weeks.

Volunteers collected 220kg of rubbish yesterday, after scouring the sand from Shelly Beach to Buddina, and cleaning up the waterway around La Balsa Park.

Sunshine Coast Turtle Care, Reef Check Australia, Sunshine Coast Council, UnderWater World SEA LIFE Mooloolaba and members of the public teamed up for the first time to clean up for the turtle hatchlings.

Council conservation officer Kate Winter said cigarette butts, fishing debris, cans, clothing and hard plastics, including water bottles, were the most common items found.

"I truly am surprised by the amount that has come up here. It's far greater than I had expected," she said.

Ms Winter said the collection of hard plastics was the focus of yesterday's effort.

"We want to make sure we get as many hatchlings out to the water and in 30 years back to our beaches as nesting turtles," she said.

"Those hard plastics float on the surface and in the pelagic phase of a turtle's life, that's when they're feeding on the surface."

There are 23 nests from Shelly Beach to Buddina, each producing between 100 and 200 hatchlings in the next two months.

The first is due in the next couple of days.

UnderWater World animal health man-ager Emily Thomas said the last thing they wanted was for the turtles to head out into a "big sea of rubbish".

Reef Check Australia community engagement officer Jodi Salmond donned her diving gear to clean up the Mooloolah River mouth from La Balsa Park.

She came ashore with bags of fishing debris, tackle, broken glass, cans and lots of degradable plastic bags caught among the rocks.

"It's important to have an idea of what's not just on the beach but what's making its way into the water," she said.

The clean-up information will be collated into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative database.

"When they autopsy turtles, we find out what's in their guts and then we start to see what's on the land and what's in the water," Miss Salmond said.

"We can start to source track where these things are coming from and how we can make real differences."

Wayne Foster, from Golden Beach, was among the lay volunteers, cleaning up the northern tip of Bribie Island after finding a few turtle nests on his daily walk.

"A lot of people come and have a lovely day, but they'll always leave two or three pieces behind," he said.

"We try and go across and if we see something we'll pick it up and bring it back."

Far north Queensland on flash flood alert

community, waterways/wetlands

Feb 032014

Original story by Renee Cluff, ABC News

The weather bureau is warning of flash flooding between Cairns and Innisfail in far north Queensland, as a monsoon trough dumps heavy rain across the region.

Forecaster Bill O'Connor says the heavy falls are expected to continue this morning.

"Mainly for those people down through the Goldsborough Valley, Gordonvale, south of Edmonton - there's going to be a continuation," he said.

"Watch out for some of the rainfall, watch out for any creek crossings, river crossings,

"Peet's Bridge, for example, it's still below the bridge at the moment but I wouldn't be surprised if during this morning we see that sort of trickle over the top of the bridge, down through that area."

He says Babinda has been the worst affected area so far.

"The highest rain we've had so far is 398mm since nine o'clock yesterday down at the Boulders," he said.

"Got a severe weather warning out for Cairns area and heading south basically down to Innisfail but we've seen lots of totals above the 200mm mark overnight."

Eungella Dam overflowing from ex-cyclone Dylan downpour

community, waterways/wetlands

Feb 032014

Original story by y Brock Taylor, ABC News

Rainfall from ex-tropical cyclone Dylan has caused the Eungella Dam to overflow, west of Mackay in north Queensland.

View Larger Map

The dam filled to capacity yesterday and water is now flowing over the spillway.

Energy and Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle says the dam's operator, SunWater, has activated an emergency action plan for Eungella.

SunWater general manager Tom Vanderbyl says the dam is designed to store water to capacity with any excess inflows to be diverted through a purpose-built spillway.

Mr Vanderbyl says Eungella Dam is being operated in flood mode and residents immediately downstream, the local disaster management group and the police have all been notified.

At this stage there have been no reports of damage to properties or flooding of roads.

Noosa River underwater footage: Noosa Underwater Biodiversity

community, waterways/wetlands, wildlife

Feb 022014

YouTube Video from Undersea Productions

One of life's great questions is about to be answered... "What's going on below the surface of the Noosa River?" That would be the baffling question I'm sure we've all pondered for hours. Yes, I see you nodding as you read. Well, don't worry, the Noosa Underwater Biodiversity Assessment—the NUBA—has begun its mission to find the answers.

http://www.underseaproductions.com/

Following the "think global, act local" mantra, my life's ambition to film every fish in the Indo-Pacific (formally, the planet) has followed me home to the Noosa River.

Why film every species in the Noosa River? Would anyone even care? I reckon the reason people don't care much about what's underwater is that they never learned about it in school, and they can't see it for themselves as they walk the dog on Gympie Terrace. Yet, I've rarely shown underwater footage without getting a "Wow, what's that?"... with a further "And what's that?" to my reply. The nudibranchs and ascidians and other mysterious critters that live in every square inch of underwater habitat are fascinating to learn about and observe. And since I've never seen any of the thousands of annual visitors or residents of Noosa scuba diving in the river (although I'm sure they are out there and I'd love to hear from them), I have to assume that most people don't get in to see it firsthand. So it's up to me to bring the vision up to the surface. To give a voice to my unseen little aquatic mates. To help my fellow fishermen have greater fishing success while leaving a smaller impact. To raise awareness with the locals and foster community-wide stewardship of the river.

Once we know what we have, and combine that with research into what we used to have (through historical fishing and other records), then we can begin to bring our river back to its former glory. Which means a healthier river and coastal ecosystem, with more and bigger fish for everyone. That's my goal for every community, starting with my own.

Since moving to Noosa, our local diving efforts have been somewhat limited, mostly due to the closure of both dive operators and the unusually poor visibility from flooding that hit Queensland in recent years. However, select days over the past few months have provided some filming opportunities: when the moon and tides and winds combine to create those magic Noosa River days where kayakers and outriggers can see the river bottom over vast stretches of shallow seagrass and sand bars teaming with... what exactly? Not sure really. Flathead, whiting and bream... but what else?

Generations of fisherfolk and visitors know and proudly show what we can catch here, but there's more to the system than that. What about the stuff that doesn't take the hook or get caught in the net? Those other creatures that are quietly working away to keep our river ecosystem ticking nicely along?

This little highlights video shows some of what I've found so far, almost all filmed at the river mouth car park rockwall. My species count to date is 102 (73 of them being fish).

I'm fairly confident I can film the majority of the 122 previously recorded fish species, and most likely come up with at least a few more. I'll be keeping the stats with links to the footage of each species updated on the NUBA webpage as the project progresses:
http://www.underseaproductions.com/no...

This is a long term project that I hope will involve a wide range of river community groups, schools and businesses. My initial presentation to the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association (NICA) was enthusiastically received, and I'm looking forward to speaking to other members of the community over the coming months.

If you'd like to learn more or get involved, contact me:
http://www.underseaproductions.com/co...

—Josh

Camera: Josh Jensen http://underseaproductions.com/
Music: "Phase IV", lo-fi is sci-fi http://lofiisscifi.com

Tourism operators may sue Barrier Reef body over dumping approval

community, government, waterways/wetlands

Feb 012014

Original story by Graham Cairns, Sydney Morning Herald

Marine tourism operators are threatening legal action against the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, or GBRMPA, over its decision to rubber-stamp a proposal allowing the dumping of dredging spoil inside the marine park.

Abbot Pt. Photo: Greenpeace/Tom Jefferson

Environment minister Greg Hunt had already given the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation approval to dredge the harbour at Abbot Point near Bowen, and that was signed off on yesterday by the GBRMPA.

The Great Barrier Reef

Colin McKenzie, president of the Association of Marine Park Tour Operators - the peak industry lobby group covering tourism in the reef region - has told Fairfax Radio that his group may take legal action to stop the dumping.

Mr McKenzie says it appears that the Authority members 'have lost their marbles'.

"The final authority had to be issued by the Authority. They had the ability to say no. The principal objective of the act is to provide long term protection and conservation of the environment, biodiversity and heritage value of the Great Barrier Reef region," he said.

Snorkelling on reef off Whitsunday island.

"Now how the hell can the organisation responsible for ensuring that act is adhered to then allow anybody to go and dump millions of tonnes of rubbish on the Barrier Reef every year? That is just ridiculous."

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority says it has demanded a number of safeguards, including a limit on the amount of dredging spoil that can be dumped - but Mr McKenzie says the authority is pushing "a snowjob".

"Leadership of the Authority needs to be replaced. If they won't do their bloody job of preserving the environment out there then they should have people there that will.

"These guys are just pandering to the politicians. Politicians, if they want to change the act, should change the act. The GBRMPA should do what it is actually being paid to do - which is provide for the protection and conservation of the reef.

"When they talk about 1.3 million cubic metres (of dredging spoil), that's actually 2.3 million tonnes of rubbish that will be dumped on the reef.

"We have, over the last four years, been able to reduce the silt going out onto the reef by 360,000 tonnes. And we've spent $200 million doing it. Now we are going to let a mining company go out there and dump 2.3 million tonnes every year.

"We are talking about a massive amount of siltation - and then we have the mining industry, through the Queensland Resource Council, come back and say 'hey look, this is fantastic, we've stuck to the scientific facts'.

"Well, let me tell you, 220 scientists wrote to the GBRMPA saying 'do not grant this' because it will be bad for the reef. They [the Authority] are not looking at scientific fact, they are not looking at protection of the reef - they are just doing what their political masters want."

Mr McKenzie denies that tourism operators and environmentalists are opposed to any expansion of the coal terminal at Abbot Point, saying his member support the miners.

"We as an industry think that there IS a need to be able to export that coal. We absolutely support the mining industry in being able to get it out there.

"They could have done this with 'trellis' construction that would not have required any dredging but they didn't want to do that because it was a little bit more expensive.

"They'd rather dump their rubbish on us."

The tourism industry boss says the real concern to his members is one of uncertainty, not knowing how badly the dumping is going to affect the Barrier Reef.

"My guess is that it is going to reduce visibility in the Whitsundays even further, it is going to seriously stress all the corals in the region.

"The Whitsundays is south of the dumping point they are talking about, and the main current on the reef runs north to south.

"We are really, really concerned about this. The jewel in the crown of tourism is the Whitsunday islands and here they are saying 'let's trash it'."

Mr McKenzie has told Fairfax Radio that his group will continue to fight - and may take legal action if necessary.

"We will take it to [Environment minister Greg] Hunt, we will appeal this to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, we will take it to court if we have to. I think the GBRMPA is in breach of their own act and that will be how we are trying to challenge this," he said.

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