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Dug's very own animated children's television series We can now mention that Dug's
debut at MIPCOM was met with pleasing and very positive responses.
Seagrass rehabilitation project in Moreton Bay Dug has had a thought. Sea grass meadows are the ‘kindergarten’ for many marine species, from young fish to prawns, not to mention vital food for Dugong and Turtles. And did you know that one square metre of sea grass can generate up to 10 litres of oxygen a day! Sea grasses are the ‘lungs’ of our Bay, and ‘anchors’ of our shoreline. Vast areas of this incredible stuff once stretched hundreds of square kilometres in and around Moreton Bay, but today many of these sea grass meadows have disappeared. Whether because of increased boat traffic, silt washed into the Bay from land clearing, or some other cause, the fact remains that without sea grass the natural balance of Moreton Bay will be lost or changed forever. All very negative, frightening, stuff. So Dug’s thought is, “Suppose we could reverse the situation? We know lots more about pollution now than people did a hundred years ago, so why not re-plant those empty meadows with strong new sea grasses that can survive our modern local environment!?” A massive task … can it be done? Dug believes it can! Successful transplanting programmes have been carried out in the USA using eel grass (Zostera marina) and a technique called TERFS™ – Transplanting Eel Grass Remotely with Frame Systems. This cost effective wire-frame technique protects and encourages rhizome (root system) growth. “Eelgrass shoots are attached with biodegradable ties to weighted wire frames that provide mechanical protection from uprooting and bioturbation. The TERFS™ are then deployed by any small boat. After three to five weeks, the frames are retrieved for re-use …” (Author: Fred Short; ‘TERFS: A low-cost and effective habitat restoration method’ – University of New Hampshire, 2001) Of course, a ‘feasibility study’ would need to be done to look at the ecological viability, benthic (bottom) topography, biodiversity sustainability, etc etc etc. Likely locations may even include Deception Bay and Bramble Bay! Dug says, “All that’s needed is the will and enthusiasm to make a start … Science, Nature and innovation will do the rest”.
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for Seagrass rehabilitation project in Moreton Bay pdf download
Non - Invasive Eco tourism Eco tourism in Moreton Bay is an important and growing industry. The debate between ‘stay clear, leave it as Nature intended’ and ‘let’s have a look and learn’, is ongoing and will not be quickly or easily resolved. However, with modern technology and sensible ‘codes of conduct’ our Natural resources can be protected while still giving optimum access to visitors. Not only will the proposed venture encourage credible and informative guidance to visitors, it is designed to engender a genuine respect for the fragile eco systems in and around Moreton Bay. It is hoped that this venture will be endorsed and supported by the EPA (QP&WS), Maritime Safety Queensland, research institutions and other conservation entities. As experience and technology progress, new methods of non-evasive eco tourism will develop and emerge; this proposal is the beginning of an adventure into environmental knowledge, understanding and responsibility. It is proposed to establish: Educational Eco-safaris
Moreton Bay ‘Secret life’ Cruises.
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