Ban on commercial fishing in the estuarine waters of New South Wales, Australia : community consultation and social impacts / Salim Momtazand William Gladstone.
Environmental Impact Assessment Review Vol 28(2-3) February-April 2008: 214-225

In its effort to resolve the conflict between commercial and recreational fishers the NSW Fisheries banned commercial fishing in the estuarine waters. The NSW Fisheries conducted a number of studies and held meetings with the affected communities including commercial fishers prior to the implementation of the ban. To investigate how community consultation played a role in the decision-making process especially as perceived by the commercial fishers and to determine actual social impacts of the ban on commercial fishers, in-depth interviews were conducted with the commercial fishers. This research reveals that despite the NSW Fisheries' consultations with commercial fishers prior to the closure, the latter were confused about various vital aspects of the decision. It further reveals that, the commercial fishers faced a number of significant changes as a result of this decision. The authors argue that a better decision-making process and outcome would have been possible through a meaningful consultation with the commercial fishers and a social impact assessment.

Fertilizing the ocean with iron / Rachel Petkewich.
C&EN Vol 86(13) 31 March 2008: 30-33

Large-scale experiments are planned to determine whether plankton can battle climate change. Fertilizing the ocean with iron is not a new idea for controlling atmospheric CO2, but the discussion has taken on new dimensions now that profit-seeking firms have entered the picture. Environmental groups worried about the long-term effects oppose artificially stimulating blooms. Ocean scientists say more study is necessary to determine whether ocean iron fertilization is even viable.

Institutional challenges for resolving conflicts between fisheries and endangered species conservation / Felix Rauschmayer, Heidi Wittmera and Augustin Berghofer.
Marine Policy Vol 32(2) March 2008: 178-188

Successful species conservation typically results in conflicts between wildlife protection and economic uses of natural resources as in fisheries and aquaculture. This article shows why managing these conflicts require a more comprehensive approach than currently pursued by endangered species conservation programmes. Against the background of several case studies focussing on wildlife conflicts in European waters this article derives two challenges for institutional response: First, the question of mandate—which societal actor initiates management related processes that require multiple actors to collaborate? Second, how can continuous processes of collaboration be sustained?

Pilbara and Eighty Mile Beach : multiple objectives, one marine planning process / Judy Davidson and Carolyn Thomson-Dans.
Landscope Vol 23(3) Autumn 2008: 10-16

The human 'footprint' in the Pilbara and lower west Kimberley is growing and there is a need for more integrated marine planning and management so our marine environment remains in pristine condition. The State Government of Western Australia is therefore planning to expand the marine parks and reserves system in the Pilbara and Eighty Mile Beach regions.

Science in the sea / Carolyn Thomson-Dans and Shannon Armstrong.
Landscope Vol 23(3) Autumn 2008: 46-51

When celebrated navigator and buccaneer William Dampier visited the archipelago now named in his honour during the seventeenth century, the astute observations and intriguing sketches in his journal brought the area's natural history to the attention of the world. It is fitting then that, with the imminent declaration of the Dampier Archipelago Marine Park, a long-term scientific monitoring program has now been established for its very special suite of marine plants and animals.

Depths of ignorance / Emma Young.
New Scientist Vol 198(2651) 12 April 2008: 34-37

How can we hope to protect ocean biodiversity if we don't even know what's down there?

Monitoring sea change : preliminary assessment of the conservation value of nearshore reefs, and existing impacts, in a high-growth, coastal region of subtropical eastern Australia / Stephen D.A. Smith ...[et al].Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol 56(3) March 2008: 525-534

In northern NSW, Australia, coastal populations are forecast to increase dramatically over the next 25 years (the "sea change"). However, management of the effects of development on marine communities is hampered by lack of data on key habitats. Consequently, the authors developed a protocol to assess the biodiversity and current human impacts on nearshore reefs, habitats that will be readily affected by coastal development. While debris loads were relatively low on most reefs, those with highest conservation value also had the highest debris loads suggesting potential conflict between human use and long term sustainability of reef communities. Without intervention, this situation will be exacerbated in the future.

Tasmania looks to blunt seismic hysteria on whale migration.
Oils & Gas Gazette Vol 2(88) April 2008: 21

APPEA and the Commonwealth have guidelines in place describing a range of measures available to avoid interference and impacts a seismic might have on cetaceans.