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Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Annual Report 2012-2013

The Minister has signed an agreement to progress a strategic assessment of petroleum activities in Commonwealth waters under the national environmental law. The strategic assessment is expected to deliver regulatory efficiencies whilst maintaining the highest environmental standards.

The office has published a report on Commonwealth environmental water carryover from 2012-13 into 2013-14 and related fact sheets.

The regional locations and hosting organisations for six Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Local Engagement Officers have been identified.

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office has published two reports produced through monitoring and evaluation projects in the Edward-Wakool and Murrumbidgee river systems.

Musicians that wish to bring musical instruments, that are made from CITES-listed species, into or out of Australia are required to apply for the relevant import and export permits. Australia does not implement the 'passport' system as described in CITES Resolution Conf. 16.8

Permits are not required for the export of non–CITES listed Australian native coral species where they are harvested from commercial fisheries approved under the EPBC Act. Permits will still be required for the export of CITES–listed corals and exporters should ensure acceptable taxonomic names are used.

The Australian simplified list of CITES species has been updated to reflect changes to the species listed on the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

All goods, regardless of value, that require a wildlife permit for export must be reported to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service on an export declaration prior to being loaded or exported (this includes items being exported via mail).

PERMITS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE - Permit holders (particularly holders of multiple use permits) are reminded that permits are NOT transferable, unless specifically authorised by the department.

Fees for wildlife trade permit applications have changed. For further information see the new fee structure.

See the list of grants awarded under the 2013-14 round.

The research grants stream provides support to postdoctoral fellows and established career researchers to undertake research relevant to the taxonomy and systematics of the Australian biota. Applications close 1 November 2013.

The National Taxonomy Research Grant Program focuses on support for training and/or recruitment of taxonomists, especially for research on critical taxonomic groups. Applications close 1 November 2013.

The Australian Government is committed to delivering a 'one stop shop' for environmental approvals that will accredit state planning systems under national environmental law, to create a single environmental assessment and approval process.

The Emissions Reduction Fund is a central element of the Australian Government's Direct Action Plan. The Fund will be designed to source low-cost emissions reductions, providing incentives for emissions reduction activities across the Australian...

Agency 2013 application on ecological sustainability - comments open until 22 November 2013

Fishbourne Reedbeds, West Sussex: A neat pile of chopped vegetation suggests that the reed buntings aren't the only creatures preparing to winter here

At the head of the Fishbourne Channel there is a hinterland of reedbeds and briny watercourses. There is no sea wall here, just a gradual merging of elements as land meets sea. Few plants can survive the daily exposure to salt water that occurs when the tide is in, so the reedbeds are dominated by dense stands of common reed that form an impenetrable two-metre high grey-green wall on either side of the boardwalk.

In the spring, the reedbeds reverberated with a cacophony of bird song and the begging calls of hungry chicks. Now they are eerily quiet, just the whisper of the breeze blowing through the reeds and the distant screech of gulls. Many of the breeding birds have migrated but reed buntings are resident all year round and I eventually catch a glimpse of a male's jet-black head, with its white moustache and collar, as it clings to a tasselled flower spike.

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Decision dates on 'Long Lowland Rivers of South-east Queensland and Northern New South Wales ecological community' and 'Kangaroo Island Narrow-leaved Mallee (Eucalyptus cneorifolia) Eastern Plains Complex’ have been extended to 30 November 2013

Damage to marine ecosystems by trawling in the area of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery – decision not to list as a Key Threatening Process on 30 May 2013