Federal inquiry into aquaculture

A federal inquiry is examining ways to develop Australia's $1.5 billion aquaculture industry.

In a submission to the federal inquiry, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation says that misinformation on social media poses reputational risks to the industry.

Tasmania's salmon farmers have been targeted for criticism, including through social media, after the book Toxic written by Richard Flannagan was published.

First Afghanistan evacuees land in Australia

More than 90 Australians and Afghans evacuated out of Afghanistan will arrive in Perth this morning as Australia desperately tries to secure landing spots at Kabul airport to rescue more citizens and Afghan visa holders.

Afghans wanting to board flights still face a difficult journey to the airport with a total of 12 people killed in and around the airport since the Taliban seized the city.

There are reports of the Taliban deterring people who aren’t foreigners from leaving.

Animals to be granted legal status in South Korea

Animal abusers and those who abandon pets could soon face harsher punishment, with South Korea planning to amend its civil code to grant animals legal status.

According to data, animal abuse cases in South Korea increased from 69 in 2010 to 914 in 2019.

The amendment, which is likely to be approved by the Parliament in September, would make South Korea one of a handful of countries to recognise animals as beings, with a right to protection, enhanced welfare and respect for life.

 

Four Australian frog species might be extinct

Scientists have published findings in the Journal of Pacific Conservation Biology that eight Australian frog species are at ‘high risk’ of becoming extinct over the next twenty years, with four likely to have already become extinct.

According to the study’s author Dr Graeme Gillespie, Chytrid fungal disease, climate change, and invasive species are behind the declining numbers.

Dr Gillespie said, however when we look at the four frog species we believe are extinct, chytrid fungal disease is probably the exclusive factor.

 

Concern for low Indigenous vaccination rates

The concerning outbreak in NSW Indigenous communities has sparked an urgency for the Queensland Government to put, as the Brisbane Times said, ‘pedal to the metal’ on the vaccination rates of their own Indigenous communities.

Professor James Ward, director of the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the University of Queensland says even though much of the focus is on Western NSW, focus should not be lost on QLD because it is for now relatively free of the virus.

12 month trial of camping ground on Macleay Island

The Redland City Council are considering establishing a free or low-cost basic camping ground on the Macleay Island foreshore.

There will be a 12 month trial of the campground, and it aims to boost tourism to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands where kayakers, cyclists and boaters can experience a small-scale, free or low-cost holiday.

Councillor Mark Edwards said it was anticipated the camp ground would be a maximum two-night stay with only tent sites available and no power.

New green bridge for Samford

The construction of Samford’s new 4.5 million dollar pedestrian and bike bridge is underway.

The new green bridge has been long awaited by locals with the area becoming a bike riding Mecca and the Private Percy Cash Bridge being a notorious safety issue. 

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the bridge will connect kilometers of paths for locals to explore their region and will give unprecedented accessibility for those who rely on motor mobility.

British Foreign Secretary claims he 'disappeared' during Afghanistan collapse

Dominic Raab, British Forigen secretary is facing increasing pressure to resign, including from some of his own party’s MPs, after claims he effectively disappeared for more than a week while on holiday during the collapse of Afghanistan, delegating almost all duties to juniors.

Raab’s department did not deny he asked another minister to make a call on Friday to assist the evacuation of former British military translators while he was in Crete and defences and critics of the minister remain varied.