Additional information for Seagrass 2004 ISBW6

Green Island is a small tropical sand cay about 27 kilometres east of the city of Cairns. It is a popular tourist destination for day-trippers and has a regular ferry service.

The cay is on a reef platform that is part of the Great Barrier Reef inner reef complex.

This is not the best location for coral viewing although because travel out to the island is so convenient many tourists will have their only reef experience here.

It is excellent for seagrass with five tropical species (Halophila ovalis, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis and Syringodium iseotofolium ) in easy snorkelling range.

Because there has been no fishing allowed for 30 years, on a calm day, a swim with the fish near the jetty or around one of the coral “bommies” is a magical experience. And yes, Nemo’s can be seen.

The Queensland Fisheries Service has a small research station on the island.

This is a sensitive marine park area and any collecting of specimens and/or research requires permits and permission under commonwealth and state legislation and approval under a local environment management plan.

• Cost $50.00 AUD
• Date 22 or 23 of September
• Time -Meet at 0745 at the reef terminal Cairns – return 1730
• Food/drink – bring your own or buy at the resort
• Diving equipment – preferably bring your own but can be hired reasonably cheaply on the island – stinger suits can be hired and are recommended
• Sunscreen – essential
• Cost includes day use of the research station-toilets/hot shower/kitchen/simple lab space – a staff person will act as a tour guide
• Children and other family members – Green Island is excellent and safe for children and they are most welcome
• Non swimmers – the tide is not the best but if the weather is good it should be possible to walk on reef flat seagrass in knee deep water at lunch time
• Other activities –from helicopter rides to semi subs – it is all available at a price – scuba diving can be arranged on the ferry and must be in conjunction with a commercial operation– the national park walking trails are easy walking and surprisingly peaceful.
• Language –English and Japanese are standard on the island possibly others.

Other Information

Cairns is an easy four - hour drive from Townsville. It is a wet tropical city with easy access to rainforest and reef viewing

Qantas link operates a regular plane service to Townsville

Both bus and train services are available.

Accommodation is readily available in Cairns see:

http://www.cairns.aust.com/

Cairns has an international airport and is a hub for Australian Airlines and Qantas. It is an easy stop on the way to or on the way back from Townsville.

Overnight accommodation is available on Green Island but if you rely on seagrass to generate your income the issue is probably academic – do not let me deter you see: http://www.greenislandresort.com.au/facts.htm

If you wish to be independent of the conference arrangements the resort owner and major ferry operator is:

http://www.greatadventures.com.au/main.htm

Thursday Island is the administrative centre for the Torres Strait islands which have been part of Queensland since 1872. "T.I." as it is usually known is only just over three square km in area and 39 km off the top of the mainland tip at Cape York. The population of the Torres Strait live on about 20 islands, and engage mostly in Government services, fishing, and a small pearling industry. In 1880, Thursday Island acted as the defence centre for Australia and evidence of this still exists in that the cannons still remain in place. At one time T.I. was also a major pearling centre and pearlers' cemeteries tell the hard tale of what a dangerous occupation this was. Some pearls are still produced here, from seeded 'culture farms'

See:

http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/tropical_north_queensland/thursday_island.cfm

Thursday Island (and the Torres Strait) is an excellent place to see tropical seagrasses with up to seven tropical species (Halophila ovalis, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis, Syringodium iseotofolium and Enhalus acoroides) in easy walking distance from hotel accommodation. There is Thalassodendron ciliatum in the harbour but it is not easily accessible. The area has high current flows and some risk from crocodile populations.

Thursday Island is reached from Cairns via a Qantas link flight to Horn Island with a short bus and ferry transfer. Accommodation on the island is standard hotel style of an acceptable standard. On cloud free days the view of the remote Cape coastline on the trip up is spectacular.

The island is home to mostly Torres Strait Island people with their separate culture and lifestyle.

The Queensland Fisheries Service maintains an office on the island. Seagrasses are protected in Queensland and collection requires a permit. Quarantine restrictions may apply.

• Cost for field trip including two nights accommodation and airfare/transfers etc is $1200 AUD per person.
• Date 07 to 09 October 2004
• Time -Meet mid morning at the Qantas domestic terminal Cairns - Return Cairns 1730
• Food/drink - there are several restaurants and café’s on the island at reasonable prices
• Diving equipment – bring booties or strong shoes – snorkelling may be possible – SCUBA diving is not possible – stinger suits are recommended
• Sunscreen – essential
• Cost includes a staff person who will act as a tour guide if sufficient numbers wish to go
• Children and other family members – Thursday Island would be interesting for children for a short visit - swimming in the sea is not recommended for children and it will be very hot and dry so care will need to be taken with children who are not used to tropical conditions.
•  Tide  - the tide is not the best at this time of the year but if the weather is good it should be possible to walk on reef flat seagrass in the very early morning – bring a torch.
• Other activities –helicopter rides and other tours are available but most of the island is easily accessible by walking. Small boat hire may be possible but can only be confirmed close to the time of travel.
• Language –English is standard on the island although Torres Strait islanders will use local island languages to communicate amongst themselves.

Other Information

Cairns is an easy four - hour drive from Townsville. It is a wet tropical city with easy access to rainforest and reef viewing.

Qantas operates a regular plane service between Townsville and Cairns

Both bus and train services are available.

Accommodation is readily available in Cairns see:

http://www.cairns.aust.com/

Cairns has an international airport and is a hub for Australian Airlines and Qantas. It is an easy stop on the way to or on the way back from Townsville.

Contact for information for these tours:

Rob Coles

Senior Principal Scientist

Queensland Fisheries Service - NFC

Phone (07) 4035 0111

Fax (07) 4035 4664

Rob.Coles@dpi.qld.gov.au

 

Or

Bev Gibbs

Admin Officer

Queensland Fisheries Service - NFC

Phone (07) 4035 0112

Fax (07) 4035 4664

Beverly.Gibbs@dpi.qld.gov.au