Harry Gorfine-
Abalone Fisheries Biologist

Tim Allen
- Marine and Coastal Community Network
(ph 9650 4846)

An all-chicks show today with Anth off boggie boarding - at 9 am on a Sunday (yeah right !!).

5 Japanese whaling vessels have returned to port with over 400 whales for "research". The media spokesperson for the whales said that non-whalers should not criticise whalers if they have not done it themselves - a bit like not criticising drink-drivers unless you have done it yourself.

The abalone is basically a large marine snail - related to limpets, periwinkles, consists of over 50 species - with the temperate species being much larger. Abalone are often found along the sand line, and feed on the fragments of algae that run past. Unlike many snails they are not hermaphrodites, but mating is in the water column so a bit hit and miss. The larvae settle out and grow on from there.

Their main predators are sharks, stingrays, octopus and even whelks, which drill into the shell and feed that way.

Most of the Victorian Abalone is exported, some inside tourists.

Marine National Parks - the saga continues. The plans for 13 Parks and 11 Sanctuaries are back - to cover 5.5 % of Victoria's coastal waters. It includes Cape Howe and Ricketts Point, compensation and appeal rights. To see where they are head to the NRE website

The Government seems to have gone a long way to addressing the Opposition demands (which were for adequate compensation provisions), so the question is now whether the Opposition just opposes, or will now let the process continue.

Marine Park Myths:
No proven benefit for recreational and commercial fishers. This isn't the aim, it is to keep parts of the environment in great condition - after all , national parks on land were not established for the benefit of loggers.

What about the other marine issues - why on focus on that. We can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Parks don't help the migratory fish. When they are in the park they are protected and part of the ecosystem - a bit like terrestrial Parks protect migratory birds.

Listeners then called in to take part in Talkback:
Carol - called in about the change in attitude to the sea from an endless bounty to a limited resource.
Charles - called in and asked about the day to day protection work - the nuts and bolts of how the process will work. The Government has committed $14 M to protection, and in places like Leigh Marine Reserve in New Zealand, the industry and community have taken reporting on board, because they can see the big benefits to them.
Gordon - called in as a local resident called in from Bells supporting the issue
Brett - a recreational fisher supports the parks, and was concerned that all the fishers were being put in the same basket. He said it is a great idea and wants to see it go ahead.

If you want to make a difference, write to the Premier Steve Bracks, or the Leader of the Opposition Dennis Napthine.

"Withered on the Vine "

"The songs they played as I drove away"

"Long Lonesome Highway Blues"

Dan Warner

Tim Rodgers

Steve Earle

"The water is dirtier than I would like”

Sky The bulk of the sky is gray, and the wind is whispering