Dr Masayuki Komatsu visits Mulloon

Dr Komatsu, Carolyn Hall and Rob Langtry tour the farms

BY CEO + MANAGING DIRECTOR, CAROLYN HALL

Following the World Soils Day breakfast on 28 November, we were treated to a visit to the Mulloon farms by Dr Masayuki Komatsu, President of the Institute of Ecosystem Research Japan. 

Dr Komatsu’s focus includes work on fisheries, water policy, and related environmental impact and management and he specifically requested a visit to the Mulloon Institute. He is exploring ways of integrating ecosystem/environmental management into the operation of fisheries and is currently conducting surveys in Japan on the impacts of land activities (i.e. industrial development, discharges of treated water from wastewater treatment plants, construction of concrete seawalls and river banks, etc.) on ecosystems and/or fisheries.

The visit was requested by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Agricultural Trade & Market Access Branch, Trade & International Division North Asia Section (Japan, Korea and Taiwan markets). 

Dr Komatsu was accompanied by two DAFF Officers Rosemary Reilly, and Senior Policy Officer Lauren Cha. We were also joined by management consultant and marketing guru, Rob Langtry who is assisting the Institute with the development of our next strategic plan.

We enjoyed a morning showcasing the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative. The rain held off and we were able to show Dr Komatsu the results of the rehydration work on the lower Mulloon floodplain, the view from the Hill at Duralla never disappoints and the restoration of the hydrological function of the floodplain resonated with Dr Komatsu. He was also interested in the leaky weirs on Mulloon Creek and their impact on water quality and native fish stocks, and was keenly interested in the involvement of the landholders in the catchment project.

We finished the morning with lunch at the Homestead and we look forward to staying in touch with Dr Komatsu. Our Executive Landscape Planner, Nolani McColl had recently visited Japan and observed an in stream pin weir and this was also of great interest to Dr Komatsu.

Dr Komatsu was accompanied by two DAFF Officers Rosemary Reilly, and Senior Policy Officer Lauren Cha.