Presentation by Dr Jason Whitehead
The Royal Society Room
Tuesday, 7th June 2011 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm
About the Speaker
Jason has been the Derwent Estuary Program’s Scientific Officer for 4 years and prior to that, he was the programs Stormwater Officer for a year. He has a PHD from the University of Tasmania – in Antarctic geological and diatom research. Jason has worked in a range of sectors, from university, industry, tourism, community and in environmental management. Having worked abroad, Jason was keen to return to Tasmania and work on estuaries
Brief Abstract of the Talk
The Derwent estuary, together with Mt Wellington, provides an idyllic natural setting for the city of Hobart, Tasmania’s capital city. The estuary is heavily used for recreation, marine transportation, boating and fishing, and is internationally known as the venue for the Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race. The Derwent is Tasmania’s fourth largest port, and has been an important centre for industrial development. Despite a long history of environmental degradation, the Derwent estuary is still an important and productive ecosystem, which requires careful and committed management if its natural values are to be enhanced and maintained in perpetuity. The Derwent Estuary Program (DEP) was established in 1999 and has been nationally recognised for excellence in coordinating initiatives to reduce water pollution, conserve habitats and species, monitor river health and promote greater use and enjoyment of the estuary. The DEP is a regional partnership between local governments the Tasmanian State Government, commercial and industrial enterprises, and community-based groups. The DEPs major sponsors include: Brighton, Clarence, Derwent Valley, Glenorchy, Hobart and Kingborough councils, the Tasmanian State Government, Southern Water, Tasmanian Ports Corporation, Norske Skog Boyer, Nyrstar Hobart Smelter and Hydro Tasmania. The DEP estuary management objectives are science informed, through collaborative research with the CSIRO, University of Tasmania, Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Institute, and research consultants.
