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SCIENTISTS USE A CROC CAGE TO GET ANSWERS19 November 20001 SCUBA diving in tropical waters sounds very attractive, but scientists who are surveying the underwater life in the murky waters of the Port of Cairns will be diving inside a croc cage. Cairns Port Authority commissioned the 10-day survey by CRC Reef scientists based at James Cook University in collaboration with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Scientists will catalogue the underwater life of the Port of Cairns and search for introduced marine pests. The survey will use 12 different techniques (including SCUBA diving) to take samples from the water, sea floor, port piles, breakwaters and rocky foreshore. "A thorough survey of marine life in Cairns Port is the best protection against invasion by introduced marine pests," according to CRC Reef researcher, Dr Kerry Neil. "Foreign marine species can be accidentally brought into Australian ports on ships' hulls or in ballast water," she said. "Our survey will check whether any exotic species have been introduced into Cairns Port. It will also be a much-needed inventory of native marine life in the port." "The recent discovery of two exotic species in Cairns Port is evidence that such surveys are a vital tool for port managers. The survey will reveal the extent of any infestations that may already exist and provide information useful to determine if any eradication is needed." "The survey will give us a good understanding of the marine biodiversity of the port and help us better manage the Port of Cairns," said Cairns Port Authority's, Mr Bob Manning. "It will also form part of the information fed into Australia's National Decision Support System which helps assess the risk of various ballast water management options. The more information that is incorporated from ports around Australia, the better the DSS will become as a risk assessment tool." Photo opportunity: SCUBA divers and croc cage will be on Wharf No. 8,
Waterfront, Cairns Port at 11.00am on Tuesday 20 November. Dr Kerry Neil
and Ms Pennie Burke, CPA Marketing Manager will be available for interview.
Arrive at the southern end of Wharf 8 (the cage will be visible on the
wharf). Access via Dutton or Wharf Sts. Park vehicles out of the way of
wharf activities - on the western side of the wharf.
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