BIG CROC and a SAWFISH SATELLITE TRACKER

 Hi

Following on from the last blog post about crocodiles, the rangers came across a big croc in a remote beach. We had recently cleared a dis-used track to this beach. This big croc did not appreciate his peace being disturbed and quickly took to the water.

Ranger Arthur Maralngurra placed his size 11 boot beside the croc track in the sand. This was a big crocodile!

Recently we have had the pleasure of taking an old man (late 80s) with us on our work trips. He is one of the few living people who still speaks the endangered indigenous language, Iwaidja - the traditional language of this country. He also has some memories of WW2. During his early years he recalls paddling a dugout canoe long distances around this area. He has negotiated so much change in his life time and he is a very interesting person to spent some time with.

Rangers, Cynthia and Eslyn picked up this shell recently. Nancy will be very envious!! 

Recently we were requested by marine researchers to accompany them to McClure Island in a helicopter to retrieve a satellite tracker that had detached from a sawfish. The tracker was attached to the sawfish over in Queensland waters about 10 weeks earlier. The tracker is meant to detach after around 2 months. The sawfish had swum over 1000 kms during this period. 

When the fish surfaces the tracker transmits locations information to the satellite however there is a lot of other information recorded - depths, sea temperature etc. This is why the researchers were keen to recover the tracker.

Anyway, the tracker was quickly located on the beach very close to the last obtained GPS position. 

Approaching the island, the rangers noticed what appeared to be an Indonesian vessel anchored nearby - just 30 kms from the Australian mainland. Photos were taken and sent to Borderforce, Biosecurity and Fisheries. The authorities were not aware of this vessel prior to our report. Aerial and maritime assets were mobilised and the vessel was apprehended early the following day. 

The image below is taken from the Marine Traffic app. It clearly shows the great number of vessels operating just north of the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone boundary. 

The rangers and marine researcher in the helicopter ready for the flight to McClure Island.

And them departing to the east - flying into the morning sun.

Tomorrow I am flying into Darwin for the coxswain training. This time next week I will be driving down to Geelong with Dean and Jayson for Dean and Kristy's wedding on 16 September. Kristy and Noah are flying. 

Nancy has been busy at Yarraman spending quite a bit of time in the garden in between visitors and also visits to her mother. 

Bless ya all.

Bryan