Recently MAS contributed towards a helicopter flight to take ecologists into Kosciuszko National Park. The results are worrying. CAA has received from MAS an email from Andrew Cox of the Invasive Species Council that provides access to the results:

Here is the widely circulated tweet of bushfire damage from Kate Washington, NSW Labor MP, who went up in a helicopter. Looks devastating.  This tweet generated a story in the Daily Mail in the UK!

Also spotted from the air were locations of unburnt areas with horses that are some of the last stronghold of critically endangered species like the corroboree frog and the stocky galaxias fish.

Straight after the flight we also produced video of Prof Jamie Pittock with video of horses from the air here.  This was picked up in the Guardian as a video story and then led to interviews on ABC Radio 702 early last week (Mon 3 Feb), on ABC radio national am or pm (need to track that down), then on ABC JJJ Hack here (in the first 14 mins) this Monday 10 Feb. There were some other news interviews Jamie did (2SM. ABC NSW news). He also produce a piece in the Conversation:  Fire almost wiped out rare species in the Australian Alps. Feral horses are finishing the job published 27 Jan 2020 which further pushed out the story. We are also taking to The Australian about a new story.

Thredbo resort may be open but restrictions and warnings are still there

” People in the areas of Shannons Flat, Yaouk, Adaminaby, Providence Portal, Anglers Reach, Old Adaminaby, Rocky Plain, Eucumbene Cove and surrounding area were advised to monitor conditions.” Canberra Times

I’m sure everyone will take care and check the RFS website as part of their preparations.

The planned program for the South Coast has been deferred, unsurprisingly, due to the bushfire disaster. If you have interest in the hand in of flares or inflatable life jacket tests keep an eye out on their website. I’ll try to stay on top of it. Firstly, boaters can safely dispose of their out of date distress flares at locations along the New South Wales Coast. Locations may be viewed at the NSW Maritime website via this link. https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/safety-equipment/flare-disposal.html They are also conducting inflatable lifejacket self – service clinics at locations along the New South Wales Coast. Join these clinics to be guided through manufacturer’s self-servicing requirements to ensure that yours is compliant and works when you need it most. Locations may be viewed at the NSW Maritime website via this link. https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/lifejacket-clinics.html

I think this also applies to anglers. We’ve already had one of our club members caught up in this.

Canberra Times article.

Recently received from Antia at UMDR. Amazing work been done in collaboration with a number of like-minded organisations.

Antia provided a copy of the 2019 ‘State of the Platypus Nation’ report. Makes for interesting reading, especially for any who have been helping out.

MAS has prepared a press release (distributed widely) responding to the discouraging numbers coming out of the recent survey report.

Cod recently released into LBG and Compleat Angler spotted the Canberra Times article for us (thanks guys)
https://www.facebook.com/543892662804636/posts/696126324247935/?app=fbl

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6545683/fish-release-a-cod-send-for-lake-burley-griffin

Scary numbers show the population increasing dramatically.

Read it here.

DPI have announced on their Facebook page a number of changes in the lead up to the school holidays.

See them here. (You shouldn’t need to be a Facebook user)