Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre

Yula (Short-Tailed Shearwaters/Muttonbirds) Migration Update What You Need to Know Yula (Short-Tailed Shearwaters or Muttonbirds) are currently migrating back to their island nesting sites, and it’s not uncommon to find some that didn’t make it along the way. Each year, some yula wash up on our beaches—this is a normal part of their life cycle, though in some years we may see higher numbers in what’s called a “wreck.” While the exact reasons for these losses aren’t fully understood, yula that wash ashore are often weak and underweight due to the intense demands of their journey from the Northern Hemisphere. For more information on why seabirds may be washing up this year, read this article from the University of Tasmania: Why Are So Many Dead and Dying Seabirds Washing Up on Our Beaches Again This Year? A Seabird Ecologist Explains. What should you do if you find a dead or live yula on the beach? Do not touch them and keep pets away, as seabirds can carry diseases from other regions. One concern this year is that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, also known as Avian Influenza or Bird Flu, may reach our shores and infect our birds. Although this strain hasn’t been detected in Australia, New Zealand, or Antarctica yet it poses a serious risk to not just birds, but also other animals and poses a risk to human health amongst those people that handle wildlife infected with the virus. If you find more than five dead or sick yula or other birds and suspect Bird Flu may be involved, please record the date, time, and location, and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888 or email [email protected]. If you don’t suspect Bird Flu, we still encourage you to report dead or sick yula to the Tasmanian Government Department of Natural Resources and Environment Marine Conservation Program by calling 0427 942 537 or emailing [email protected]. For more information on Bird Flu risks and safety tips, see: High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Thank you for helping our Pakana and Truwana Rangers look out for our people and wildlife!

Over the last 2 weeks Pakana Rangers and scientists from the Institute of Antarctic and Marine Studies (IMAS) have been in the field again mapping seagrass around the Furneaux Islands, in our proposed Tayaritja Milaythina Muka Indigenous Protected Area (IPA). This work is supported by funding from the Australian Government's National Environmental Science Program Marine and Coastal Hub.  Seagrass beds around the Furneaux are thought to be the most extensive seagrass beds in south-eastern Australia, growing to depths of at least 25 m. These seagrass beds have not been mapped since the 1980s when limited areas were examined to understand fish breeding and nursery areas. This project will help us determine the extent of the seagrass beds in our proposed Tayaritja Milaythina Muka IPA. Through this project we are using a BOSS camera system to establish the presence of seagrass around the islands. BOSS camera systems have 8 cameras which take photos of the seafloor on the four points of the compass, which enables us to build a detailed picture of seagrass beds around the islands.  The images being collected are used to validate the presence of seagrass beds that are observable in satellite remote sensing imagery.  We are also looking at the role that epiphytes play in seagrass health. Epiphytes are the algae that grow on seagrass. Too much epiphyte cover can be detrimental to seagrass health through shading and changes in seawater chemistry.  IMAS scientists are also helping us to establish a Pakana Ranger-led seagrass monitoring program, recognising the cultural and ecological significance of seagrass beds. As part of developing this program we are learning how to use a standard drop camera, which takes photos of the seafloor. This will allow us to improve our understanding of seafloor habitats throughout our proposed Tayaritja Milaythina Muka IPA.  Earlier this year we surveyed 110,706 hectares for seagrass. The images collected during these surveys conducted in February are available online here: https://lnkd.in/gss8M2As  During the fieldwork we have just undertaken we have extended the area surveyed and completed over 100 more BOSS camera drops. The images from these surveys will be uploaded to Seamap Australia once the imagery has been processed. 

Here is our new muylatina milaythina (Junior Ranger) program. This is a pilot program that provides alternative learning and pathways for further learning to care for Country.  We are seeking expressions of interest from high school and college aged Palawa community living in Pataway, Glenorchy and Tayaritja for 2025.   Priority will be given to Palawa in years 10 to 12, with some opportunities for younger children to be involved also. Our aims are to support success in school, to grow cultural knowledge in our community and to dream big.   In the coming weeks expressions of interest will be open.  If you would like to be added to an email list for us to contact you when we are seeking EOI for the program please email [email protected] 

Two female purinina/Tasmanian devils recently arriving at Auckland Zoo have been named in palawa kani. Palawa children at the Aboriginal Childrens Centre (ACC), Piyura Kitina/Risdon Cove and Tasmanian Aboriginal Child Care Association (TACCA), Launceston as well as children attending Launceston TAC After School Groups chose the names ‘wiri’ which means ‘starfish’ and ‘wayana’ which means ‘shark’ as names relating to sea creatures. ‘the children enjoyed exploring and learning all about their favourite sea animals while having fun naming purinina’ , ‘the top pick was ‘wiri’ with children thinking it is hilarious for purinina to be named starfish!’ https://lnkd.in/gZa9XpCz

On our beautiful island, Lungtalanana, feral cats are eating rails, quails, mountain dragons, and Cape Barren geese.   With the cats gone, we’ll see bird and lizard populations soar. We can reintroduce missing animals like long-nosed potoroos. We can protect the island so cats never return. But we need your help. Our community is ready, our rangers are ready, our operational plan is drawn up. Message Tanya Plibersek and ask her to fund feral cat eradication on Lungtalanana, for future generations. WWF-Australia Invasive Species Council NRM North University of Tasmania Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) Rob Brewster Patrick Giumelli Liz Znidersic Tiana Pirtle Troy Melville Andry Sculthorpe Tristan Derham https://lnkd.in/gt2M_xHg 

Milaythina Nayri / Healthy Country, Newsletter, July 2024 This newsletter highlights the efforts and some of the achievements of our Pakana Rangers, who are restoring the health of Country. In this issue: Connecting with Wukalina Junior Rangers Program Yula Monitoring Results Proposed Tayaritja Milaythina Muka IPA Download and read the newsletter from our website: https://lnkd.in/gxjyrBXc

🌊 Beach Clean-Up at Marshals Bay, Flinders Island 🌊   On the 3rd of August, the Pakana Sea Country Rangers hosted a beach clean-up at Marshall Bay, Flinders Island.   We thank all the community members on Flinders Island who came out to support us, and Clean Up Australia Ltd and Take 3 for the Sea for their support.   Most of the rubbish collected was made up of small pieces of degraded hard plastics. These plastics impact our marine life, including our Yula/mutton bird who mistake it for food.    As part of our Pakana Sea Country Rangers work to establish the Tayaritja Milaythina Muka Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) we have developed a marine debris monitoring plan. Our plan focuses our efforts in our proposed IPA to: Monitor marine plastic in the ocean Monitor marine debris on selected beaches Monitor plastic found in yula/muttonbirds Engage the community in beach clean-up events We are also advocating for actions to reduce the amount of marine plastic finding its way into our seas.

2 new palawa kani story books were launched in NAIDOC. ‘We Walk Piyura Kitina/Risdon Cove’ produced with the Aboriginal Children’s Centre (ACC), Piyura Kitina/Risdon Cove. And ‘Going to the Beach’ produced with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Childcare Association (TACCA), Launceston. The books were produced for the use of the Aboriginal Children’s Centres and Aboriginal community families and are not for sale.

THINKING about doing the CERT IV TRAINING to be an ABORIGINAL HEALTH WORKER? Here's an INSIDER VIEW on what it's like! We're currently looking for 14 TRAINEES. For more information, CONTACT Chris Thomas: [email protected] 6234-0747.