The Calera racemosa invasion : a critical review / Judith Klein, and Marc Verlaque
Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol 56(2) February 2008: 187-204

Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea is a marine Chlorophyta introduced into the Mediterranean Sea from south-western Australia. Since 1990, it has been invading the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands, raising ecological problems. Although this invasion event can be considered as one of the most serious in the history of species introduced into the Mediterranean Sea, C. racemosa has not triggered as much attention as the famous “killer alga” Caulerpa taxifolia. The aim of the present study was: (i) to summarize the current state of knowledge with regard to the distribution, the various biological and ecological characteristics of the introduced C. racemosa and its impact on the Mediterranean coastal environment; (ii) to discuss the various hypotheses regarding the explanation for its rapid and successful spread; (iii) to investigate the disparity in the treatment of C. racemosa and Caulerpa taxifolia invasions; and (iv) to outline future research needs.

Emergence of anoxia in the California Current large marine ecosystem / F. Chan ...[et al].
Science Vol 319(5865) 15 February 2008: 920

Of the world's four major eastern boundary current systems, water- column shelf anoxia is previously known for only the Gumboldt and Benguela Current Systems. Because oxygen deficiency can be a critical determinant of fishery, ecological, and biogeochemical processes, the rise or expansion of hypoxia or anoxia represent major perturbations to the structure and functioning of major coastal ecosystems. Following changes in upwelling-favourable winds in 2006, the authors measured the emergence of anoxia along the central Oregon coast of USA. The onset of anoxia was accompanied by the expansion of severe hpoxia across broad section of the central Oregon shelf.

Distribution and abundance of the dugong in New Caledonia, southwest Pacific /
Claire Garrigue, Nathalie Patenaude and Helene Marsh.
Marine Mammal Science Vol 24 (1), January 2008: 239-247.

New Caledonia is at the eastern limit of the dugong's range. In June 2003 standardized dugong aerial survey methodology was used to estimate the abundance and distribution of dugongs in the coastal waters of New Caledonia, resulting in a population estimate of 1,814 ± SE 332. This represents the largest concentration of dugongs in Melanesia and one of the largest populations in the world, outside Australia and the Arabian region. Calves comprised 7.2% of the population. The observed density of dugongs was highest in the center and southern part of the west coast of the island but not significantly different from the density on the north west and north east. In the central west region, sightings were associated with a pass in the barrier reef and up to a third of the on-survey sightings were outside of the barrier reef. The dugong distribution we observed during June 2003 differs from the reported locations of historical hunts in several respects.

A global map of human impact on marine ecosystems / Benjamin S. Halpern ...[et al].
Science Vol 319(5865) 15 February 2008: 948-952

The management and conservation of the world's oceans require synthesis of spatial data on the distribution and intensity of human activities and the overlap of their impacts on marine ecosystems. The authors developed an ecosystem-specific, multiscale spatial model to synthesize 17 global data sets of anthropogenic drivers of ecological change for 20 marine ecosystems. Their analysis indicates that no area is unaffected by human influence and that a large fraction (41%) is strongly affected by multiple drivers.

How good is good? human values and Europe’s proposed Marine Strategy Directive / Laurence D. Mee ... [et al.]
Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol 56(2) February 2008: 187-204

The adoption of the proposed European Marine Strategy Directive is an opportunity for a comprehensive policy for protecting, improving and sustainably using Europe’s environmentally degraded seas. It calls for an ecosystem-based approach to management where humans are regarded as a key system component. Although the proposed wording has been the subject of fierce debate, the central policy goal remains achieving “Good Environmental Status”. The interpretation of “good” is key to implementation and relates to human values and worldviews. The authors demonstrate how these vary widely across Europe.

Solution of fundamental considerations such as the assignation of reference states, the balance between precautionary and evidence-based action, the degree of subsidiarity, and conservation strategies including marine protected areas, will ultimately depend upon public understanding, involvement in and support for the Directive. The social element, critical to effective adaptive management, requires greater attention within the context of a regional seas geographical framework.

Sleeper shark (Somniosus antarcticus) and other bite wounds observed on southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) at Macquarie Island /
John van den Hoff, Margaret G. Morrice.
Marine Mammal Science Vol 24 (1), January 2008: 239-247.

This article reports on photographed bite wounds on southern elephant seals observed at Macquarie Island in an attempt to identify the suite of carnivores that attacked the seals while at sea. Photographs were taken opportunistically between 1985 and 2004 as injured southern elephant seals hauled out on the island. Where possible an object of known size was placed in the photograph so that the wound size could be estimated.

Turning the tide.
Environment for Europeans Vol 29 December 2007: 12

With a 70,000-kilometre coastline and a maritime territory covering three million square kilometres, the European Union faces a multitude of challenges in its surrounding seas. The new Integrated Maritime Policy, which covers everything from shipping to scientific research, seeks to harmonise Europe's approach to its seas. Marine policymakers will no longer concentrate solely on individual sectors such as energy, fisheries or tourism.

Density and size of reef fishes in and around a temperate marine reserve / evidence from the diet of two generalist native fish species / Matt Kleczkowski, Russ C. Babcock and Geordie Clapin. Marine & Freshwater Research Vol 59(2) 2008: 165-176

The effects of marine reserve protection on the density, size, biomass, sex-ratio and overall assemblage structure of reef fishes were investigated at Kingston Reef Sanctuary, Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Significant trends in response to reserve protection were found for two species of top predators and several serially protogynous labrid species.

Exposure of seawalls to waves within an urban estuary: effects on intertidal assemblages / D.J. Blockley and M.G. Chapman.
Austral Ecology Vol 33(2) April 2008: 168-183

The aim of this study was to test whether assemblages on artificial seawalls either exposed to or sheltered from waves, would show similar patterns to those published for natural shores exposed to or sheltered from sea swell. Despite some inconsistencies, the results were similar to those predicted from studies on natural shores, showing that assemblages on urban structures respond to wave action in a way that is predictable from studies on natural shores.

Farming the sea / Jeffrey Hutton. BRW: Business Review Weekly Vol 30(13) April 3-9
A clean environment, clear laws and the rising demand for healthier food are behind the aquaculture industry's leap into unchartered waters.

Fish assemblages associated with urban structures and natural reefs in Sydney, Australia / B.G. Clynick, M.G. Chapman and A.J. Underwood. Austral Ecology Vol 33(2) April 2008: 140-150

This study looked at fish assemblages at five different locations in Sydney Harbour in an effort to determine how well those at artificial habitats, such as marinas and swimming enclosures, mimic those of natural habitats. Results provide initial evidence that, although artificial habitats generally support the same species as found on natural reefs, assemblages usually differ between natural and artificial habitats. Without knowing if these habitats do, in fact, sustain viable fish populations, it would be premature to label artificial structures as effective habitat for fish.

Impact of desalination plants on coastal environments and communities / Greg Leslie and Stuart Khan Waves Vol 14(1) 2008: 11-12

By 2013, the water supplies of Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and parts of south-east Queensland will be supplemented with desalinated seawater. The key environmental impacts associated with desalination plants are those associated with the intake of seawater and the discharge of concentrated salt stream.

Incorporating dugong habitats into the marine protected area design for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia / Kirstin Dobbs ... [et al.] Ocean & Coastal Management Vol 51(4) 2008: 368-375

Dugong habitats were considered in the design for the new zoning network for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park as part of the Representative Areas Program. One of the specific design guidelines developed as part of the biophysical operational principles recommended that 50% of all high priority dugong habitats should be incorporated in the network of no-take areas. The high priority dugong habitat incorporated in no-take protection increased from 1396 to 3476 km2 (or 16.9–42.0% of all identified sites). Although this increase in protection fell short of the recommended 50%, overall the level of protection afforded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003 increased for all the locations identified.

Net income / David Gilchrist. Australian Geographic No 90 April-June 2008: 34-35
The world's largest sponge farm is being established around the Palm Islands, Queensland.

Public perceptions for evaluating beach quality in urban and semi- natural environments / Elisabet Roca, Miriam Villares.
Ocean & Coastal Management Vol 51(4) 2008: 314-329

The lack of bottom-up approaches to assess beach quality and to adapt it to local context is addressed in this paper. The aim is to explore the public perceptions and preferences according to the degree of exploitation/conservation of the beaches to draw policy recommendations. The methods, which have been applied on 6 beaches along the coast of North-eastern Spain (Costa Brava), involved a survey of 700 beach users, an extensive checklist to register the objective reference and a set of in-depth interviews to local stakeholders. The preferences and perceptions appear to be not only influenced by the specific characteristics of each beach but also by the beach-user profile. Policy implications points out that conservation strategies should be prioritised in natural environments, while interventionist approaches enhancing recreational beach functions should be orientated to intensive used beaches, normally located along urban seafronts.

Seasonal flooding, instream habitat structure and fish assemblages in the Mulgrave River, north-east Queensland : towards a new conceptual framework for understanding fish-habitat dynamics in small tropical rivers / Thomas S. Rayner, Bradley J. Pusey and Richard G. Pearson.
Marine & Freshwater Research Vol 59(2) 2008: 97-116

Strong relationships between seasonal flooding, instream habitat structure and fish assemblages have been well documented in large tropical rivers (e.g. the flood pulse concept). However, the mechanics of these relationships are likely to differ substantially in smaller coastal rivers, such as those in Costa Rica, south-east Brazil and Australia’s Wet Tropics. These systems typically feature steep upland streams with short, deeply incised lowland channels and poorly connected floodplains. This hypothesis was investigated by documenting spatial and temporal variation in fish-habitat relationships in the Mulgrave River, north-east Queensland.

The torn blue fringe / Paul Winn.
National Parks Journal Vol 52(1) February-March 2008: 9-10

A discussion of the key findings and recommendations of NPA Marine's report, The Torn Blue Fringe.