Dr Vyt Garnys is a member of the 3AK 1116 AM Fishing and Boating Show on Saturday mornings. He presents articles of interest on how science is used in the marine environment and technology. It is an opportunity for CETEC to give back to the community, which supports us. Occasionally we discuss projects done by CETEC.

In addition to various "bits" of news and information shown below there are several key themes we support. One of these includes aquatic pests in the marine and freshwater environment, for example, the Northern Pacific Seastar, the Mediterranean Worm and the Japanese kelp. CETEC, assisted by 3AK conducted the 2000 and 2001, Marine Pest Days in Port Phillip Bay, involving about 1000 people. We estimated that over a 4 year period, the Northern Pacific Seastar numbers had grown from 4 million to 100-150 million, now constituting a real ecological threat to the Bay and inlet rivers.

• Environmental Pollution – our population growth is challenging the health of all of our waterways and we can all do our small part in maintaining the habitat which depends on its purity – much the same as how we depend on clear air, water and food. Our waterways are not convenient sinks for our waste.
   
• There is growing importance of community resources and commitment in monitoring the aquatic environment. Both fresh and salt water are crucial resources for our future wellbeing.

  Here is some food for thought. Commercial fisheries in Europe and Canada are down by about 70%. In China, from 1982 to 1992, marine invertebrates fell 39% and fish spawn fell 70% in numbers. Inland, of 1200 rivers, 850 are polluted and 61% of lakes are eutropic. Coastal red tides in 1998 caused A$200m in aquaculture losses. In 2000, China produced 24 million tons of aquaculture – more than from wild fisheries, worth A$18 billion in exports.
   

• Introduced Pests – cost the USA $137 billion a year. The zebra mussel alone in the Great Lakes cost up to A$800m annually. On 1 May 2003, Hon Dr David Kemp approved A$500,000 to fund the Marine and Coastal Community Network for 2003/4. In Australia, recreational waterway users can assist in monitoring and surveillance, whilst enjoying their environment. Recreational fishermen and divers can provide valuable information on underwater species and the surrounding ecology, which can be used by CSIRO, state research bodies and industry.
   
• The aquatic environment creates technological challenges that require advanced scientific and engineering applications – ships, boats, jetties, foreshores, currents, drinking water, food, etc.