Our Waterway Conference 2019

The D’Entrecasteaux and Huon Collaboration’s mini conference was held on Friday the 28th of June and there was nothing ‘mini’ about it! Over 90 people came to listen to a broad range of talks, addressing waterway condition, nutrients, biodiversity, fish farming and management strategies in the D’Entrecasteaux and Huon region. Scientists, managers and professionals, Local and State government, industry stakeholders, and community groups attended. This included representatives from organisations such as such as the CSIRO, IMAS, State Government (EPA/MFB), TSGA, TSIC, and Aquenal, Kingborough Council, Huon Aquaculture, Taswater, Tassal, the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, and pakana Services.

The takeaway message from the conference was that according to the various research areas, there is no evidence of any major change to the ecosystem. It was great to see so many people passionate about monitoring and maintaining the health of our waterway. All stakeholders collectively value, share, and rely on having a healthy marine ecosystem, and are committed to working with others to maintain a healthy waterway.

The mini-conference was a great success! The was a strong interest in the event and an abundance of registrations – everybody wants to know more about the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Huon Estuary. Our sincere thanks to all the speakers for sharing new information and expanding our understanding of the D’Entrecasteaux and Huon waterways. The knowledge shared will impact in how we consider and address waterway issues and opportunities into the future.

We also thank all the rope weavers who kindly provided beautiful broaches and artworks made from marine debris. Marine debris has been an important focus for The D’Entrecasteaux and Huon Collaboration. Their works help to outline the impacts of marine debris in ecosystems and generate awareness and discussion in the community.

You can read their abstracts on the D’Entrecasteaux and Huon Collaboration website here.