SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL
SUMMER 2017
Wallaby Grass Rytidosperma spp.
NE LO W OK ! In this issue Bringing Back the Buzz to Cumberland Plain Woodland Family Planting Day What’s On Sustainability Tips and Apps Picture: Belinda SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017 Hodges 1
MESSAGE FROM MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS Welcome to the summer edition of the Sustaining Liverpool newsletter. We hope you enjoy learning how we can work together to restore our natural areas and create a sustainable future for Liverpool. One of the feature articles in this issue celebrates the recent success of the Bushcare’s Major Day Out event held at Middleton Grange. Local residents joined Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis to learn about the local Cumberland Plain Woodland, the role of native pollinators in the ecosystem and then everyone got their hands dirty planting flowering species to support pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Thank you to everyone who participated on the day!
Kangaroo Grass Themeda australis
The Cumberland Plain Woodland vegetation community is only found in Western Sydney. Due to a history of land clearing and urban development in the area, it is now listed as critically endangered with less than ten percent of it remaining. It is characterised by a highly diverse grass layer and an open tree canopy. On this page are photos of a few distinctive grass species which can be found in Cumberland Plain Woodland. Patches of Cumberland Plain Woodland and other natural areas across Liverpool are being progressively restored by enthusiastic volunteers. Come along to some of the groups listed on page 10 to learn new skills, enjoy beautiful bushland and meet other likeminded people. We hope to see you outdoors enjoying the beautiful summer weather.
Kidney weed Dichondra repens
RECEIVE YOUR NEWSLETTER VIA EMAIL Your edition of Sustaining Liverpool can now be sent to your email address.
In this Issue
If you would like to receive it electronically rather than printed, email: lcc@liverpool.nsw.gov.au
Environment Volunteer Recognition Event
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Bringing Back the Buzz
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Bushcare’s Major Day Out
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New Volunteer Group
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Being Snake Aware
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Landscaping for Bushfire
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Natural Regeneration vs Planting Family Planting Day
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Summer Tips
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Sustainability Facts
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What’s On
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Other Events
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Environmental News & Apps 2
SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017
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Scented-top Grass Capillipedium spicigerum
Pictures: Belinda Hodges and Steven Hodosi Printed on recycled paper.
Customer Service Centre Ground Floor, 33 Moore Street, Liverpool NSW 2170 All correspondence to Locked Bag 7064 Liverpool BC NSW 1871 Call Centre 1300 36 2170 Fax 9821 9333 Email lcc@liverpool.nsw.gov.au Web www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au NRS 13 36 77 ABN 84 181 182 471
ENVIRONMENT VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION EVENT The 13th annual Environment Volunteer Recognition Event was held on Tuesday 13 December 2016 at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. It was held on this day to be close to International Volunteer Day which is held on 5 December every year and celebrates the role that volunteers play in their communities. During the 13 years of Council’s program our volunteers have contributed over 18,290 hours working to restore the natural environment of Liverpool and they have planted more than 114,290 native plants. The night was well attended by regular volunteers of Council’s Environment Volunteer Program and their families. Mayor Wendy Waller and Councillors Harle, Shelton, Hagarty, Rhodes and Kaliyanda were in attendance to thank volunteers for their efforts and to help present the awards. Service awards are given to registered volunteers each year to celebrate how long they have been participating in the program. The major awards presented on the night include:
Environment Volunteer of the Year Mayor Wendy Waller with Michael Streatfeild
Environment Volunteer of the Year Michael Streatfeild Environmental Leadership Award Robert Storey Environment Encouragement Award Melanie Ward Environment Volunteer Group of the Year Collimore Park
Environmental Leadership Award Robert Storey with Councillor Rhodes
Environment Group of the Year Collimore Park Environment Group with Councillor Hagarty SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017
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Common Crow Butterfly Euploea core
BRINGING BACK THE BUZZ TO CUMBERLAND PLAIN WOODLAND The Cumberland Plain Woodland (CPW) is unique with plants and animals not found in any other part of Australia. A new project aims to bring back the buzz to this critically endangered vegetation community which is characterised by a grassy understory layer, an open canopy and is found only on the shale soils of Western Sydney. Over time CPW has been impacted by land clearing for agriculture and urban development with less than ten percent of its original distribution remaining today. Pollinators are vital to the success of a healthy and functioning ecosystem. This project is aiming to restore the ecosystem in the remaining patches of bushland by installing insect nesting sites, also known as insect hotels, for
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SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017
pollinators such as bees, hoverflies and butterflies. There are opportunities for you to support pollinators and the CPW in your own backyard – planting native flowers, reducing your herbicide and pesticide use, building a bee hotel with your kids, or even joining a local bushcare group. This project is managed by the National Parks Association of NSW in partnership with the University of Sydney, Liverpool City Council, Camden Council and Campbelltown Council and has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. To find out more or to get involved in this exciting project please contact Margot Law (Citizen Science Project Officer - National Parks Association of NSW) margotl@npansw.org.au or 9299 0000.
BUSHCARE’S MAJOR DAY OUT Started by a Sydney resident and dedicated Bushcare volunteer, Bushcare’s Major Day Out (BMDO) has grown rapidly into a national event where community members can restore remnant bushland and increase their knowledge of their local area from more experienced volunteers. The day aims to educate people about bushcare, celebrate successes and inspire new bush carers. Liverpool City Council partnered with the National Parks Association of NSW to host an event in Middleton Grange on 11 September 2016. One hundred enthusiastic people joined BMDO patron Costa Georgiadis, host of ABC’s Gardening Australia, and event founder Don Wilson to plant 300 locally native shrubs and grasses in Catalina Park. It was a fantastic day with nature walks through nearby bushland to learn about the critically endangered CPW, an interactive native wildlife display, promotion of environment volunteering opportunities in Liverpool, a plant giveaway and fun in the sun with the Big Bird Parade.
NEW VOLUNTEER GROUP IN MIDDLETON GRANGE
As a result of enthusiasm from local residents at the BMDO event, we are looking for more passionate people to join us at the new environment group in Cessna Reserve. It is a beautiful example of remnant CPW with a variety of native plants and animals and direct linkages to the Western Sydney Parklands. While the vegetation in Cessna Reserve is in an overall good condition there are some scattered weeds invading the bushland and they need to be removed.
The group meets on the second Sunday of the month in the reserve at the interaction of Hemsworth Ave and Stanley Ave, Middleton Grange at 9am. Activities are scheduled on 12 February and 12 March 2017 – come join us! No experience is necessary – all training and equipment are provided by Liverpool City Council. Please wear closed in shoes, long sleeved shirt, sunscreen and hat.
SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017
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BEING SNAKE AWARE As the summer warms up snakes start to get active. Australia has approximately 140 species of land snakes and about 100 of these are venomous. Snakes are generally shy and will try to avoid conflict if possible – they will feel your footstep vibrations along the ground and move away if given the chance. Snakes will only bite when they feel threatened or if you step on them. Reptiles, including snakes, control their body temperature through external sources like the temperature of the air and ground. This is why they are often seen basking in the sun or near warm surfaces. Snakes are more active during the warmer months (September to April) but you can encounter them on a sunny day at any time of the year. They come out of hibernation in search of food and a mate which means that you may come across them in urban areas. Places that snakes may be found across urban areas include under buildings and near sheds, around piled items and rubbish, and in long grasses. Remember: All native animals, including snakes, are protected by law (in NSW this is by the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974) and they should not be harmed or killed.
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Snake Safety Tips:
Emergency Contacts
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Snakes only hang around for food and shelter, so remove sources from your backyard.
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If you have been bitten by a snake call the emergency hotline, “000”
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Keep your backyard tidy and free of rubbish and debris. The tidier your backyard the less likely you’ll have a snake.
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Keep your grass mowed, remove excess leaf litter and fallen branches. Snakes love places they can feel safe and hide.
If your pet has been bitten, keep them calm and wrap a firm bandage over the wound to stop the venom spreading to their heart. Rush them to the nearest veterinary hospital for an anti-venom injection.
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If you find a snake or any sick, injured or orphaned native animal in NSW please call the Wildlife Rescue Office (WIRES) on 1300 094 737 for rescue help and advice.
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Keep your house closed and seal holes in windows, walls, roofs and floors.
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Teach your kids to be snake aware.
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If you do see a snake call a professional, do not approach it.
SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017
Download WIRES Wildlife Rescue app for instant access to emergency advice and to have WIRES contact details on hand.
NATURAL REGENERATION VS PLANTING Bush regeneration is more than just tackling weeds or planting, it is about giving the bushland a helping hand, encouraging native species and plant communities to survive and compete against a range of pressures like weeds, erosion, soil disturbance, litter, pollution and pest species.
For more information about Bush Regeneration visit the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators website: www.aabr.org.au
In Liverpool, bush regeneration plays an important role where much of our remaining bushland areas are endangered or critically endangered under either the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). Council’s bush regeneration team work within these communities under a scientific licence permitting them to undertake a range of bush regeneration activities and seed collection to deliver the Environment Restoration Plan. There is no quick and easy way to restore natural plant communities which is why the bush regeneration team apply the following 3 Rs of Restoration:
BEFORE
1. RETAIN remnant native vegetation first. Native ecosystems are more complex than we yet understand. It is not possible to recreate the bushland to the same complex and diverse ecosystem it was originally. 2. REGENERATE where there is potential for the bush to regenerate naturally. Natural regeneration takes time. Weeding must be done with patience and care as clearing too much at once can undermine a site’s recovery potential. 3. REPLANT only where there is minimal regeneration potential. Planting is sometimes seen as a quick and easy solution but it can interfere with the aims of regeneration.
AFTER
To demonstrate, Council’s Bush Regeneration team has been busy trialling the collection and use of seed to encourage natural regeneration (rather than planting) in areas where weeds had dominated previously. One of these areas at Joshua Moore Park in Sadleir is showing great success with the establishment of native Wallaby, Plume and Weeping Grasses and a diversity of Grass Lillies, Geranium, Acacia and Dodonaea species. The team is continuing to learn from this success and looking to replicate the results in other areas nearby. SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017
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LANDSCAPING FOR BUSHFIRE With the arrival of hot summer conditions, it is vital that if you live in a bushfire prone area, you plan, prepare and know what to do in the event of the bushfire. Preparing and maintaining your home, preparing a Bushfire Survival Plan and having an adequate water supply and road access are all essential protection measures. According to the Rural Fire Service (RFS), applying the following design principles can play a vital role in the behaviour of fire and prevention of fire impacts to your home. 1. CREATE DEFENDABLE SPACE Manage the land around a building by controlling vegetation growth to reduce direct flame contact and radiant heat. 2. REMOVE FLAMMABLE OBJECTS FROM AROUND THE HOUSE The area immediately surrounding a house should be clear of flammable objects that can catch on fire during a bushfire (such as plants, mulches and fences). 3. BREAK UP FUEL CONTINUITY Group plants and garden beds with areas of low fuel (e.g. gravel, pavers) between them to breaking up fuel continuity.
4. CAREFULLY SELECT, LOCATE AND MAINTAIN SPECIES Carefully select species with a high moisture content which means less bark is available and reduced leaf drop. Avoid plants that contain high volatile oil content and ensure no vegetation is overhanging or touching vulnerable areas of the house (e.g. roof, eaves.) Trees if correctly selected, located, and maintained can assist to reduce wind speed, absorb radiant heat and filter embers provided there is adequate space around your property to create a defendable space. Using non-organic mulches can assist to retain soil moisture and prevent the spread of fire on the ground.
Remember all species can burn under bushfire situations. For more information about Landscaping around your home, how to prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan, and latest bushfire information contact the NSW Rural Fire Service www.rfs.nsw.gov.au. For more information on Landscaping for Bushfire visit: Download the Bushfire Survival Plan: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/resources/bush-fire-survival-plan Landscaping for Bushfire developed by CFA www.cfa.vic.gov.au/fm_files/attachments/plan_and_prepare/ landscaping/landscaping_for_bushfire.pdf
FAMILY PLANTING DAY On 8 October 2016, we held a community tree planting day at Bill Anderson Park in Kemps Creek. The event was a huge success with 400 native trees, shrubs and grasses planted by a team of passionate community members. The bushland at Bill Anderson Park is home to a number of threatened plant species including the shrub Dillwynia tenuifolia which is listed as an Endangered Population. Council is working to protect the Dillwynia tenuifolia population at Bill Anderson Park by undertaking bush regeneration works in the reserve including weed control, expanding habitat by planting locally native species in nearby areas, and installing fencing to manage incidences of rubbish dumping. Thank you to all the volunteers who planted trees and the Kemps Creek Rural Fire Brigade for their assistance on the day. Everyone who lent a hand enjoyed the opportunity to get up close and personal with native 8
SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017
reptiles in the interactive and educational display provided by Feature Creatures. We look forward to resuming the community tree planting days on 19 March 2017 at Macleod Park in Prestons so come along and join us!
SUMMER TIPS FOR YOU AND YOUR HOME There are some easy ways of keeping your house cool during the hot summer months. • Shade your windows on the outside by using sails and patio umbrellas or from inside by drawing the curtains or blinds. • In summer pre-cool your home by closing windows, curtains and blinds before the hottest part of the day arrives. Open your house up when the temperature outside drops to cool it down. • Close off areas of the house which do not require cooling. • Switch off unnecessary appliances that may be radiating heat because they’ve been left on (eg. a second unused fridge). • If using an air conditioner, a higher temperature setting will use less electricity. Set your air conditioner between 23°C and 26°C. Every degree below 23°C could add 10 percent to your cooling costs. • Dry your clothes using the sun or air and reduce your energy usage bills.
SUSTAINABILITY FACTS The benefit of keeping chickens in your backyard goes beyond the fresh eggs they produce. CHICKENS • • • •
Chickens make great household pets Chickens are a natural pest and weed control Recycle your household food scraps, reducing food waste going to landfill and create good compost matter for your garden Recycle egg shells back to chickens for shell grit to give them the nutrients they need
TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING CHICKENS COOL IN SUMMER • • • •
Hydration is key – provide access to cool, fresh water to ensure your chickens are well hydrated Spray your chickens with a light sprinkle of water Provide a refreshing bath of water by gently plunging your chickens into a bucket or pool of fresh cool water Put frozen bottles of water near the nesting boxes. SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017
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WHAT’S ON
Join our enthusiastic volunteers who beautify their local parks and bushland by removing weeds and litter and planting native plants. Meet like-minded people, increase your knowledge of the environment and create habitat for local wildlife. No experience is necessary. All equipment is supplied.
Collimore Park Environment Group
Amalfi Park Environment Group
Clinches Pond Environment Group
Weaving Garden Environment Group
Cessna Reserve Environment Group
Chauvel Park Environment Group
Leacocks Lane Environment Group
Streamwatch
Sunday 9am-11am: 12 February 12 March
Saturday 8am-11am: 18 February 18 March
Meet in the Collimore Park car park on Collimore Avenue, Liverpool Saturday 8am-11am: 4 February 4 March
Meet in the reserve at the intersection of Hemsworth Ave and Stanley Ave, Middleton Grange
Light Horse Park Environment Group
Meet in the Light Horse Park car park, Riverpark Drive, Liverpool Saturday 9am-11am: 25 February 25 March
Meet near the Brickmakers Creek bridge crossing at Reilly Street, Lurnea Sunday 9am-11am: 5 February 5 March
Meet at the playground on Swain Street, Moorebank Saturday 9am-11am: 11 February 11 March
Meet at the car park on Epsom Road, near the roundabout on Alfred Road, Chipping Norton
Meet in the reserve at the intersection of Mackellar St and Astley Way, Casula Sunday 10am-12pm: 19 February 19 March
Voyager Point Environment Group Meet in the car park at Voyager Park on Orlando Crescent, Voyager Point Sunday 9.30am11.30am: 26 February 26 March
DOWNLOAD YOUR BIN CALENDAR TODAY Simply enter your address*, then download, print or save the annual calendar for your residential property or just make a note of the days your waste is collected.
Come along to investigate the water quality of Cabramatta Creek. Meet in the Ireland Park car park on Memorial Avenue, Liverpool
Sunday 12pm-1pm: 26 February 26 March
Come along to investigate the water quality of the Georges River. Meet in the Light Horse Park car park, Riverpark Drive, Liverpool
Saturday 8.30am9am: 25 February 25 March
Elouera Bushland Reserve Environment Group
Meet in the Ireland Park car park, Memorial Avenue, Liverpool
Sunday 1pm-3pm: 26 February 26 March
To improve our waste collection service, Liverpool City Council has moved its bin collection calendars online.
Go to www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/binday
or scan this code with your smartphone to view your calendar.
*Applies to houses, villas and townhouses only. Residents of units and apartment buildings are advised to contact Council to confirm their bin collection day.
Can’t get on the internet?
Streamwatch
Meet at the Casula railway station car park at the end of Casula Road, Casula Saturday 12pm-2pm: 11 February 11 March
You can still have your calendar delivered, just call 1300 36 2170 SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL 2017 and 10 we’ll post you a calendar for SUMMER your property.
OTHER EVENTS PUBLIC FORUM
Thursday 16 February, 5pm – 7pm Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
The Greater Sydney Local Land Services are inviting community members interested in land management to attend an important forum about proposed strategic weed management plans for the Greater Sydney Region.
COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING Macleod Park Sunday 19 March, 9am – 11.30am Meet in the park on Braidwood Drive, Prestons. There will be a free BBQ lunch for all participants after the tree planting.
CHEMICAL CLEANOUT
Sunday 26 February, 9am – 3.30pm Council’s Operations Depot 99 Rose Street, Liverpool For more information about Chemical CleanOut and visit www.liverpool.nsw.gov. au/wastenandrecycling or contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 1300 36 2170.
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY Sunday 5 March 2017
Free Sustainability
For more information and to register your site, school or business visit www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au or contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 1300 36 2170 for further information.
WORLD KITCHEN IN YOUR BACKYARD
EARTH HOUR
Come along to a free workshop to learn how you can grow herbs and vegetables that are essential ingredients in cuisines from around the world.
What started as an Aussie grassroots movement has grown the world’s biggest movement for climate change, now celebrated in 172 countries and 7,000 cities around the world. In 2017, WWF is celebrating 10 years of Earth Hour and 10 years of progress on changing climate change. For more information visit earthhour.org.au
Take a journey through Asia, France, Europe, Africa and The Mediterranean to discover the unique produce that gives these distinct regional flavours and find out how easy they are to grow at home.
Saturday 25 March, 8.30pm – 9.30pm
Thursday 2 March, 10am – 12pm
Places are limited. To book your place call Council on 1300 36 2170.
LIVERPOOL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
IF YOU WERE IN CHARGE OF LIVERPOOL, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Liverpool City Council is now reviewing its Community Strategic Plan, which sets Council’s directions and strategies for the next ten years, and we need your ideas! Visit the website on the right to take our survey and tell us what you would do if you were in charge of Liverpool.
listens.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/ifyouwereincharge SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017
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ENVIRONMENTAL
NEWS
Native Flora on Shale Soils of the Cumberland Plain Western Sydney – An Identification Guide (Teresa James, 2016) This book is a practical guide for identifying and understanding the native plants found in the Cumberland Plain Woodland of Western Sydney, which is listed as a critically endangered with only 8% of the original vegetation remaining. Covering the background information about Cumberland Plain Woodland, Teresa James has kept all the terminology simple in her book. She explains how we could identify these plants and how we can help them to recover. This easy to use identification
RegenTV The Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) promotes the study and practice of ecological restoration. Bush regeneration is more than just weed management – it involves restoring and maintaining ecosystems by supporting the natural regeneration of indigenous plants. A new video platform called RegenTV is set to grow over the next few years after AABR received funding from NSW Environmental Trust to develop this educational resource. Come and learn about ecological restoration at www.aabr.org.au/ regentv/. These educational and inspirational videos, and associated learning resources about bush regeneration, have been filmed at AABR field trips, seminars and forums.
guide to around 250 native plants includes simple keys, photos and descriptions for all species. Copies of your book can be purchased from eBay from seller babr.au.oufxtc
SMARTPHONE APPS FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY HOME & LIFESTYLE GOODGUIDE Do you wish you had someone to walk around with you while you shop in order to make sure you are buying sustainable ethical products? Well the GoodGuide smartphone app helps you find safe, healthy, green, and ethical products with product reviews based on scientific research. You can find and scan the barcodes while you’re at the store to find out the ratings for household products, food, personal care, plus over 250,000 products from the GoodGuide’s based on a product’s health, environmental and social impact. www.goodguide.com 12
SUSTAINING LIVERPOOL SUMMER 2017
SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD GUIDE If you love your seafood but also love our oceans, then this is the app for you. Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide is an excellent tool to help you make an oceanfriendly choice about the seafood you eat. Use the app’s simple traffic light sustainability ranking system to choose your sustainable fish product, with Green ‘Better Choice’, Amber ‘Eat Less’ and Red ‘Say No’. The app has been developed by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), in response to growing public concerns about overfishing, fish farming and our impact on our ocean wildlife. www.marineconservation.org.au