The Northern Rivers Times Edition 120.pdf

FAST JET OPERATIONS AT EVANS HEAD AIR WEAPONS RANGE

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have outlined planned operations for the next two months at Evans Head Air Weapons Range (EVDAWR), located on the north coast of New South Wales. Air Force currently operates F/A-18F Super

Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley and F-35A Lightning II aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown over the range. Commander of Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Tim Alsop said EVDAWR was a suitable practice area for the F-35A Lightning II aircraft, as well as the Super Hornets. “Fast jet military aircraft will conduct gunnery and bombing operations and

low level flying during each mission within the range airspace,’’ AIRCDRE Alsop said. For safety reasons, the range southern overwater area will be closed from 10am to 5pm for the duration of the activities except where specifically indicated.

The scheduled program for October and November includes:

• 24 to 28 October 2022 – F/A-18F Super Hornets

• 31 October to 4 November 2022 – F/A- 18F Super Hornets and F-35A Lightning II

• 7 to 10 November 2022 – F/A-18F Super Hornets

AIRCDRE Alsop said

aircraft would not use the range every day for training activities. Training activities can involve up to two waves of fast jet aircraft each day and will involve live strafing and use of lasers.

“Local residents are advised access to the range remains

restricted regardless of any activities being conducted. This is due to the historical use of the range and the possibility of unexploded ordnance remaining at the site,” he said.

“Defence personnel display red flags whenever live firing activities are conducted and carry out patrols to ensure people don’t stray into the area.

“Operations on the range can change due

to weather or other considerations.

“Air Force appreciates the long-standing support the local community provides in terms of our operations,’’ AIRCDRE Alsop said.

The Evans Head Air Weapons Range Community Advisory

Panel has been advised of these activities.

For further information please refer to the Air Force Operations website on https://www.airforce. gov.au/operations/flyingoperations/flying-activity. A copy of the overwater DPA map and GPS co-ordinates is available through http:// www.defence.gov.au/ aircraftnoise; at the ‘Ops Near Me’ Evans Head tab.

FISHING GEAR LOST AT SEA GLOBALLY REVEALED

Fishing line that could wrap around the Earth 18 times is lost in the world’s oceans every year, according to research by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and the University of Tasmania. The research published today estimates that nearly two per cent of commercial fishing gear is lost or discarded every year, where it becomes a major component of global marine plastic pollution. Denise Hardesty from CSIRO said this research is the most comprehensive examination of quantitative amounts of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear globally to date. “We found that 14 billion longline hooks, 25 million pots and traps and almost 740,000 km of fishing longlines end up in our oceans through global commercial fishing activities each year,” said Dr Hardesty. The research used global fishing effort data and interviews with 450 fishers from seven countries around the world including the USA, Indonesia, and Morocco. The surveys looked at five major fishing gear types, how much fishing gear was used and lost annually, and gear and vessel characteristics that could influence losses. In general, more gear was lost from smaller fishing vessels, and bottom trawl fishers lost more net than midwater trawl fishers. The more current

estimate presents much lower overall estimates of fishing gear lost at sea than estimates from 2019 which quantified annual gear losses based on literature reviews. To date, empirical information on how much fishing gear is lost to the oceans has been limited. As fishing gear lost at sea has significant economic, environmental, and social impacts, this new research will help inform fisheries management and policy interventions from local to global scales. “The data collected to create these estimates came directly from fishers themselves to inform our understanding of fishing gear losses at source,” said Kelsey Richardson, lead author of the paper, previously at CSIRO and University of Tasmania. “There have been increases in global fishing effort, as well as improvements in fishing technologies, including better opportunities to mark, track and recover fishing gears,” Dr Richardson said. “Our updated estimates help to highlight where efforts need to focus to support fisheries management and gear stewardship interventions to generate targeted solutions to reduce fishing gear ending up in our oceans,” she said. This research aligns to CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Mission, which has a goal of an 80 per cent reduction in plastic waste entering the environment by 2030.

Centenary Ball marks 100 years for Lennox Head

Centenary Ball marks 100 years for Lennox Head A glamorous Centenary Ball will mark 100 years since the village was formally named Lennox Head at the inaugural 1922 Lennox Head Estate Auction. On Friday 9 December 2022, the Lennox Arts Board will proudly present this event at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre. “This truly is a one in 100-year event and a great opportunity to show local businesses we value them,” said Robyn Hargrave, Lennox Head Heritage Committee. “It’s time for us all to have some fun and kick start a COVID-free Christmas period,” Ms

Hargraves continued. Entertainment will be provided by big band, Well Swung Daddies who will play swing music from the 1930s through to today as guests dance the night away. There are also great prizes for best dressed 1920s-style. Lennox Arts Board have nominated two local art projects as beneficiaries of the Ball. This event has been made possible thanks to sponsors Ballina Shire Council, Club Lennox Sports and Elders Real Estate. For further information, purchase tickets and food hampers for this event, visit communityspaces. com.au/tickets.