Afant News

NEW NAVIGATION BUOYS INSTALLED

DARWIN PORT CORPORATION
WHARF OFFICE
EAST ARM WHARF PORT OPERATIONS – BERRIMAH ROAD - DARWIN
TO: PORT USERS
FROM: CHRIS COTTERALL ASST. HARBOURMASTER
REF:
REF: DPC2002/216
NW2005/23

FAX NO:
FAX NO: (08) 8947 2373
DATE: 19 September 2005 PHONE NO: (08) 8947 7203

SUBJECT: NEW NAVIGATION BUOYS INSTALLED

A NEW PORT LATERAL BUOY WITH TOPMARK AND LIGHT FLASH (2) RED 4 SECONDS TO BE CALLED MA-4 HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN POSITION 12 DEGREES 30.7098 MINUTES SOUTH 130 DEGREES 50.4966 MINUTES EAST.

THREE NEW STARBOARD LATERAL BUOYS WITH TOPMARKS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS FOLLOWS.

BUOY 7A WITH LIGHT FLASH (2) GREEN 4 SECONDS IN POSITION 12 DEGREES 26.0730 MINUTES SOUTH, 130 DEGREES 46.8234 MINUTES EAST.

BUOY MA-1 WITH LIGHT FLASH (3) GREEN 6 SECONDS IN POSITION 12 DEGREES 28.8186 MINUTES SOUTH, 130 DEGREES 48.6504 MINUTES EAST.

BUOY MA-3 WITH LIGHT QUICK FLASH (5) GREEN 7 SECONDS IN POSITION 12 DEGREES 30.3252 MINUTES SOUTH, 130 DEGREES 49.5300 MINUTES EAST.

A CORRECTION TO CHARTS WILL BE ISSUED AS A NOTICE TO MARINERS SHORTLY.

Regards

Chris Cotterall

NT, WA and Commonwealth sit down to talk

NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE

Kon Vatskalis

MINISTER FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES

14 September 2005

NT, WA and Commonwealth sit down to talk

Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries Kon Vatskalis will fly to Canberra this morning to discuss the threat of illegal foreign fishing incursions with his federal and WA counterparts.

Minister Vatskalis, along with a representative for the Western Australia Minister for Fisheries John Ford, will meet with the Federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation Senator Ian Macdonald.

Mr Vatskalis said a recent news report that suggested about 22 illegal foreign fishing vessels are sighted in Australian waters each day was extremely alarming and required urgent action.

He has also expressed concern about recent claims made by Senator Macdonald in the media.

“I was shocked to hear the Senator say that organised crime syndicates may be behind illegal fishing operations. If this is the case, then I call on the Senator to tell us more – such as which countries these syndicates are operating from.

“I spoke to Mr Macdonald last month and told him of my concern about the threat of illegal fishing on our fisheries and made it very clear that I want to see some action taken.

“Illegal fishing is of great concern to this Government and we demand answers.
There are reports that illegal fishermen have hens, dogs and even pet monkeys on board with them – if this is the case, then we are faced with a serious bio-security threat,” said Mr Vatskalis.

Western Australian Minister for Fisheries John Ford said he’d been advised that Indonesian fishermen could be taking more than 5-thousand tonnes of shark a year in Australian waters – throwing most of it overboard and keeping just the fins, which are highly sought after in China.

“I’m told that’s as many as 250,000 sharks which are being slaughtered for their fins and the estimate may be conservative,” said Mr Ford.

Minister Vatskalis said these issues will be raised when he meets with Senator Macdonald tomorrow and looks forward to hearing what the Commonwealth will do to address them.

“The issue of illegal fishing is not to be taken lightly. Customs Officials themselves are saying they’re unable to patrol our waters effectively because they are so under resourced and that is really saying something!” he said.

Contacts: Kon Vatskalis available for interview between 9:00am – 11:00am -
Gemma Buxton 0401 110 064

John Ford - Mark McGill 0412 009 173

TERRITORY BARRA SHINES AT FINE FOOD SHOW

NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE

Kon Vatskalis

MINISTER FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES

9 September 2005

TERRITORY BARRA SHINES AT FINE FOOD SHOW

Territory barramundi has been thrust into the limelight after two local producers scooped awards at this year’s Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.

The Humpty Doo Barramundi Farm and Tiwi-based Marine Harvest Barramundi Farm outshone all entries to win best plate size fish and best barramundi fillet.

The prestigious Sydney Royal Fine Food Show is one of the largest in the country featuring some of Australia’s finest foods and regional produce.

Aquaculture was first introduced as a category at the show in 2001 and recognises excellence within this rapidly growing industry.

Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries Kon Vatskalis said the awards are another example of the great foods that the Territory now has on offer.

“This is the first year that the show has featured barramundi as a fine food and it is fitting that Northern Territory farmed fish has taken out the major culinary awards.

“If you want to taste the best barra, you’ll find it here in the Territory.
Winning a prize bearing the Sydney royal badge is a pretty big deal and will put these two local Territory businesses on gourmet food lover’s menus.

“This goes to show that Territory products are the best in the country. This Government continues to back local producers and I congratulate Humpty Doo
Barramundi Farm and Marine Harvest Barramundi Farm on this wonderful
achievement.

“People travel from all over the world to taste of our iconic fish, the barramundi. Territorians know how good this product is and it’s great to see that it’s receiving such recognition elsewhere,” said Mr Vatskalis.

Contact: Gemma Buxton 0401 110 064

NEW NAVIGATION BUOY INSTALLED

SUBJECT: NEW NAVIGATION BUOY INSTALLED

A NEW STARBOARD LATERAL SPAR LIGHT BUOY, FL (2). G. 4S, WITH TOPMARK, TO BE KNOWN AS NO 9A HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN POSITION 12 DEGREES 38.371 MINUTES SOUTH, 130 DEGREES 48.368 MINUTES EAST.

THIS BUOY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH NO 9 BUOY MARKS THE LIMITS OF THE SOUNDING RANGE OFF HMAS COONAWARRA.

ALL PORT USERS ARE REMINDED THAT ANCHORING IS PROHIBITED WITHIN THE AREA BOUNDED BY THESE BUOYS AND THE SHORELINE AT HMAS COONAWARRA AS MARKED ON CHARTS AUS 26 AND AUS 28.

A CORRECTION TO CHARTS WILL BE ISSUED AS A NOTICE TO MARINERS SHORTLY.

Regards

Chris Cotterall