Derwent Litter Campaign 2012
The Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania (SCAT) and the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP) are coordinating the annual Derwent Litter Campaign in collaboration with Clean-up Australia Day (CUAD) and Veolia Environmental Services. Our focus on litter that has accumulated along the foreshore, urban rivulets and surrounding areas.In 2011, over 120 businesses, school and community groups particioated, collecting nearly 25 tonnes of rubbish. Many sections of the foreshore are now noticeably cleaner as a result, and councils have installed litter traps in a number of locations to further reduce the litter load.
In 2012, we are keen to build on this success and target a number of litter hotpots along the foreshore and urban rivulets. See Derwent litter map for some possible sites.
If you would like to join in please register your group and site on the Clean Up Australia Day website at www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au
Please note that Business Clean-up Day is on Tuesday 28 February, Schools Clean-up Day is on Friday 2 March and Community Clean-up Day is on Sunday 4 March.
Derwent Report Card 2011
Check out the latest DEP report card for an update on trends in sewage, industrial and stormwater pollution, monitoring results for swimming beaches and heavy metals in seafood, as well as actions taken to clean-up the Derwent. Hard copies will soon be available at Service Tasmania and Council offices.2011 spotted handfish surveys and management actions
Surveys of recently planted artificial spawning substrate have confirmed that spotted handfish are using these artificial structures, designed to replace lost natural habitat within the Derwent Estuary. This is good news as the use of artificial habitat is an important step towards reversing population declines of this critically endangered species. Read more about threatening processes, and what the DEP and partners are doing for this species, on our recently updated spotted handfish webpage.The DEP recently received a donation from Greenseas (Heinz Australia) as a part of their Friendly Seas campaign, to support our work on spotted handfish management and conservation. You can play the spotted handfish Friendly Seas game to raise additional funds for research and on-ground management of this species.
Updated Brochure: Should I Eat Shellfish and Fish From the Derwent
Recent surveys of heavy metal levels in Derwent seafood confirm that oysters, mussels and bream should not be eaten and recommends limits on other Derwent-caught fish. See brochure for details.Derwent Estuary Walking Tracks
The DEP has recently produced a mini-guide to foreshore walking tracks around the estuary, with support from the Tasmanian Government. The guide highlights 26 walking tracks along the river's eastern and western shore, and provides a brief snapshot for each (length, difficulty, access points, facilities). The mini-guide is available from Service Tasmania, council offices and the Hobart Travel Centre, or can be downloaded here.Derwent Estuary Program Winner of 2010 National Riverprize
The Derwent Estuary Program has won the prestigious national prize for outstanding achievement and excellence in river management. It's exciting that the work of the DEP and its partners on reducing water pollution, conserving habitats and species, monitoring river health and promoting greater use and enjoyment of the foreshore has been recognised in this way. Since the DEP was established in 1999, our partners have invested more than $100 million in environmental projects, with outstanding results.DEP Director Christine Coughanowr was in Perth, Western Australia, to receive the $200,000 prize at the International Riversymposium. This is the first time the prize has been awarded to Tasmania and it really puts the DEP up there among the leaders of river management.
Latest report from the Derwent Estuary Program
State of the Derwent Estuary 2003 - 2009Chapters 1 to 8
Chapters 9 to 13
E-bulletin
Our latest E-bulletin 18. January 2011.
To receive our quarterly e-bulletin: Email majordomo@environment.tas.gov.au, and type "subscribe dep-ebulletin" in the subject line.
Annual Report Card
State of the Derwent 2009Brochure: seafood safety
Should I eat shellfish and fish from the Derwent?Media releases
Review highlights Derwent's cleanest beaches December 2010.
Community Service Announcements on TV 2009
Produced by Southern Cross Southern Television with generous financial support from Hobart City Council, topics include water quality, Little Penguins, stormwater and marine pests.
