Enjoy the CDU Newsletter

Published: Mon, 08/13/18

13th August 2018 CDU Newsletter 585

Terry 0417 977 330

terry@canoeingdownunder.com.au

https://canoeingdownunder.wordpress.com/ website

https://www.facebook.com/canoeingdownunder/ facebook

The whitewater in the Avon River is still very high, exciting for the most experienced but not the best height for novices unless they find a safe section. The high level even messed up the State Slalom Championships on Sunday as it was too high to erect gate numbers and just too fast for the less experienced. The State Championships will now be held in 3 weeks time.

Not so long ago the Avon River at Walyunga was waterless.

The State Slalom Championships at Walyunga N/P got cancelled at the weekend due to the high water levels.
The Walyunga Drop is no longer there.

The Avon Valley. Avon Descenters having fun or looking a little concerned. Photo Anne Harris.

Dolphin Watch

On Thursday morning the wind was howling and even the river along the Bayswater section had pretty good waves and a fast current due to the high Avon water level. I had just launched when a dolphin surfaced just a few metres away. I was pretty excited because I hadn’t seen one for a while. I then realised it had a fishing line attached to its dorsal fin and the line was dragging behind, but even worse the line was cutting into its dorsal fin. I wasn’t sure if the line was also attached to its flukes (tail) or just dragging behind in the water. It looked as if it had a float attached to the dorsal fin but I think it appeared that way because the line was slicing through the fin and part of the dorsal fin was flapping like an ear where it had been cut into. It was a sad sight. Another dolphin was swimming nearby but the one with the line attached seemed to be surfacing more often.

Photo D Chabanne, Murdoch University

I usually carry my camera but with the stormy weather I didn’t think I would capture anything interesting this morning. I was also in my race kayak so taking photos would have been difficult.

I was only 100 metres from home at the downstream end of Ron Courtney Island so I paddled back home to ring 'Wildcare' who try to rescue stressed wildlife. I then changed kayaks for a more stable one and took my camera in search of the dolphin but unfortunately it had moved on and I couldn’t find it.

Returning home I talked to Chandra from Wildcare who told me that the dolphin has had the line attached for some time. Their concern was that the line was cutting through the dorsal fin and slowly being amputated. Of course it is not easy to catch a dolphin but Wildcare are keen to get some photographs to see how it is looking.

A letter from Chandra below.

I can imagine how it could have happened. There was probably a fishing line cast out in the river, the dolphin surfaces and catches the line on its fin and swims off with it. Plenty of paddlers have been caught this way.

A Letter From Chandra

As a partner of the Dept. of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA), I work with them in providing science and advice on marine mammals.

We currently have an entangled dolphin in the river and you may be able to help!

We are now moving to intervention if the opportunity presents itself, as this dolphin has been entangled in fishing line for over one month now (see photo above), and is at increased risk of losing motility and becoming significantly debilitated.

If you sight this dolphin, please call me (Chandra 0424376755) and the DBCA Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055.

The animal’s name is “Highnitch”. Highnitch is an adult female older than 17 years of age (first recorded in the Swan River by Hugh Finn in 2001 - a former Fremantle Sea Rescue volunteer). Highnitch is accompanied by her calf (shown in the photo). Highnitch’s dorsal fin is slowly being amputated by the fishing line. The fishing line is pulling down toward or is tightly attached to her tail (flukes). However, we so far have been unable to identify the nature or extent of this part of the entanglement. It is not clear whether her calf, named Splash, has line around it. There was an early report indicating the calf was entangled as well.

If you should see Highnitch and Splash, please take photos/video if possible to obtain better information about the entanglement and dolphins’ conditions, but only if it is not too intrusive/stressful for the dolphins (always approach slowly and gently from 90 to 180 deg in relation to dolphins’ heading). Note that standard guidelines indicate that vessels should keep 100 m away from dolphins (unless they come to you of course!).

With thanks

Chandra P. Salgado Kent, PhD, MSc, BS

I have been watching out for the dolphin since sighting it, paddling a more stable kayak and carrying my camera but I'm yet to see it in the last few days.

But I did manage to get Alaine out and back on the water after a long spell and on Sunday morning we paddled the canoe and on our way up river we collected fishing lines and hooks tangled in the trees. A few lines were a little too high to reach, even standing up, so we will have to take an adjustable pole next time.

Of course dolphins won't get tangled in these lines but birds might especially if the have bait left on the hook.

We collected lots of hooks and this spinner.

A canoe makes it easier to collect fishing lines.

This line was too high to be reached so we will take an adjustable pole next time we go out.

Pelicans on Ron Courtney Island

Mark Lawson is in full training for the World Masters Marathon.
He passes pelicans sitting on the end of Ron Courtney Island.

A Pelican Challenged Me!

The pelican was showing off!

It whispered. Okay can you stand on one leg and spread a wing!

I gave it a good try but it had another challenge!

Then it challenged me to a yawn!

Okay can you yawn like this!

Come on open that mouth wider!

Wider!

Now stretch that neck!

I conceded defeat.

The Ospreys are Back

On the other end of Ron Courtney Island the Ospreys are back.

Ron Courtney Island is like a wildlife sanctuary.

Have you seen this toilet at Claughton Reserve, Bayswater.
Jenny and Nikki loitering!

Sam & Josh won this years' Avon Descent

but the celebration was Josh's birthday 7 years ago.

I'm not quite sure how old Josh was back then.

Josh goes to Portugal in 3 weeks time to compete in the World Marathon Championships. He came 9th last year.
At the old shop on Railway Parade, Bassendean. Sam, Josh, Me and T2.

Free Bubble Wrap

As you can see I have a pile of bubble wrap. To buy it, it costs a fortune. I'm giving it away. If it doesn't go by the week end it will get taken to a re-cycling plant.

Kayak/Ski Rack

$150.00

Self supporting kayak/ski rack. Best for shorter kayaks under 4.5m but can be extended to suit longer craft.

$150.00

The State of Our River Banks

In the Bassendean Shire the river banks are pretty bad and poorly maintained yet on the Swan Shire side they are much better looked after. See photos below.

Erosion at Sandy Beach Reserve in the Bassendean Shire.

A seat along Ashfield Flats in the Bassendean Shire

On the other side of the river in Swan Shire the river banks right passed Midland and up to the Middle Swan Bridge are stabilised using natural looking rocks and reeds.

Restoration of the Swan River on the Swan Shire side along South Guildford, Guildford and Midland is top class. So why can't other shires follow suit.

Power boats need to be limited in the Upper Reaches of the Swan.

WWR #5: BELLS SPRINTS

Starting upstream of the main bridge and finishing downstream of Bolland’s elbow, the course comprises of rapids, winding sections of moving water and ti tree obstacles.

The race is open to all boats, with the Championship only open to boats classed as Wildwater/downriver kayaks as per ICF regulations. These include overall length of no more than 4.5m, with no rudder (or with their rudder tied up).

Location	Bells Rapids, Cathedral Avenue, Brigadoon
Date	Sunday 19^th August 2018
Race Registration	08:00am - 8:30am
Briefing	08:45am
Race Start	09:00am
Entry Fees (Pay on the day)	$20 Adults / $5 Juniors Additional $10 for Non-Members (Australian Canoeing)
Race Director	Peter Liddle
Safety	Helmets and PFDs are compulsory

Race entries are now open and additional event information is on Webscorer: https://www.webscorer.com/register?pid=1&raceid=134158

Please join us for a BBQ at Jane and Peter Liddle’s House after the Bells Sprint race. The Liddle’s address will be provided on the race day and we will be putting on a Sausage Sizzle. Please bring your own chair, drinks, any other meat, salads or snacks that you wish to have.

WWR #6: BRIDGETOWN TEAMS & GEEGULUP CUP

Starting upstream of the town bridge and finishing 8kms downstream, the course comprises of winding sections of moving water, rapids, strong currents under ti- trees, and rock/ti tree obstacles.

Take the opportunity to stay down in Bridgetown for the weekend, enjoy a number of social gatherings with the Wildwater Crew and of course enjoy the great wild water sections of Bridgetown. Accommodation is usually fairly limited due to other events in the area... so get in quick to secure yours now if you have yet to do so. Bring your partners and/or family, and come join us in a wonderful weekend away. Can't wait to see you all in Bridgetown!

Location	Blackwood River, Bridgetown
Date	Saturday 25^th August – Teams Race Sunday 26^th August – Geegelup Cup
Race Registration	Saturday 25^th 01:00pm-01:30pm Sunday: 26^th 09:00am-09:30am
Briefing	Saturday: 01:45pm Sunday: 09:45am
Race Start	Saturday: 02:00pm Sunday: 10:00am
Entry Fees (Pay on the day)	$30 Adults / $20 Juniors – Both Teams and Classic Races $20 Adults / $15 Juniors – Either Teams or Classic Race Additional $10 for Non-Members (Australian Canoeing)
Race Director	John O’Sullivan
Safety	Helmets and PFDs are compulsory

Race entries are now open and additional event information is on Webscorer: https://www.webscorer.com/registerseries?seriesid=134161

We hope to see you there!

Peter Gigengack

Wildwater Committee

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