Helicopter Surveys
In addition to regular ghost net patrols, aerial surveys for ghost nets were conducted by various groups. Piggybacking on existing helicopter based work enabled ranger organisations to quickly and efficiently gather information about possible nets on their country.
These targeted helicopter patrols were specifically designed to gain information about ghost net locations in areas not previously surveyed or difficult to access by regular patrol methods. One such occasion that employed the use of a helicopter was when the Wellesley Island Rangers attached a sling to the chopper so that nets on the Bountiful Islands could be moved to a more accessible location for disposal.
The table below shows the various helicopter surveys conducted between 2010 and 2012.
|
Location |
Ranger Groups |
Dates |
Results |
Kms patrolled |
|
The NT/WA border to the Moyle River (north of Wadeye), Joseph Bonapart Gulf. |
Thamarrurr and Timber Creek Rangers |
20 -23 Feb 2012 |
34 nets. |
1060km |
|
Cape Scott |
Thamarrurr and Bulgul |
25/11/2012 |
835kg removed. |
N/A |
|
Sir Edward Pellew Islands & Robinson River-Pelican Spit |
Lianthawirriyarra |
1/09/2010 |
70 nets |
N/A |
|
Coastline between Gove and Mt Alexander |
Dhimurru |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
|
Miwul to Cape Barrow, Gulf of Carpentaria, NT |
Numburindi |
7-12 Jul 2011 |
381 nets, 6 entaglements. |
63kms |
|
Towns River to Wuygiba, Gulf of Carpentaria, NT |
Yugul Mangi |
07/2011 |
nil | 63kms |
|
Cape Scott to the Daly River, NT |
Wudicupildyer |
11/2011 |
6 nets |
N/A |
|
Marchinbar Island, Wessell Island Group, NT |
Gumurr Marthakal |
10/2010 |
336 nets |
N/A |
|
Robinson River, NT to the Queensland border. |
Garawa and Waanyi Garawa |
31/08/2010 |
141 nets. |
113kms |
|
Old Doomadgee, Qld to NT border |
Gangalidda and Garawa |
28/06/2011 |
8 nets |
N/A |
|
Southern Aurukun |
Wik and Kugu |
TBA |
TBA |
N/A |
|
Bountiful Islands, Wellesley island Group, Qld |
Wellesley Island |
2-4 Apr 2012 |
42 nets (5-tonne) |
442ha |