Background
The Coral Sea is a beacon of hope. It is one of the last places on Earth where ocean giants – sharks, tuna, marlin – still abound and its vibrant coral reefs still pulse with the rhythm of life.
From thickly forested islands to small sandy cays, beautiful coral reefs and yet to be explored reef slopes and deep sea canyons; the Coral Sea contains 49 different habitats and supports over 300 different threatened species.
The establishment of the Coral Sea Marine Reserve is an important step towards safe-guarding this marine jewel for the future. The goal of the Protect Our Coral Sea Campaign was the establishment of a large, world-class, highly protected marine park in the Coral Sea that will provide a safe haven for marine life and we managed to achieve:
- Nearly 1 million km2 included in the marine reserve.
- Just over 500,000km2 to become marine national park zone.
- Oil and gas exploration is banned from reserve.
- Long line fishing - a threat to sharks, turtles and seabirds – is excluded from 3/4 of the reserve. Southern Seamounts: The Coral Sea
- Bottom-trawling which damages sea-floor habitat is restricted to one very small area on the continental slope.
- Increased protection for reefs.
During my employment as a Marine Campaigner for the Protect Our Coral Sea campaign, the principal focus of my work was informing, involving and engaging with different members of the the community and different stakeholders.
I organised successful events, gave public lectures at university and demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate the importance of protecting the marine environment with a broad range of stakeholders.
From thickly forested islands to small sandy cays, beautiful coral reefs and yet to be explored reef slopes and deep sea canyons; the Coral Sea contains 49 different habitats and supports over 300 different threatened species.
The establishment of the Coral Sea Marine Reserve is an important step towards safe-guarding this marine jewel for the future. The goal of the Protect Our Coral Sea Campaign was the establishment of a large, world-class, highly protected marine park in the Coral Sea that will provide a safe haven for marine life and we managed to achieve:
- Nearly 1 million km2 included in the marine reserve.
- Just over 500,000km2 to become marine national park zone.
- Oil and gas exploration is banned from reserve.
- Long line fishing - a threat to sharks, turtles and seabirds – is excluded from 3/4 of the reserve. Southern Seamounts: The Coral Sea
- Bottom-trawling which damages sea-floor habitat is restricted to one very small area on the continental slope.
- Increased protection for reefs.
During my employment as a Marine Campaigner for the Protect Our Coral Sea campaign, the principal focus of my work was informing, involving and engaging with different members of the the community and different stakeholders.
I organised successful events, gave public lectures at university and demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate the importance of protecting the marine environment with a broad range of stakeholders.
Results
I demonstrated the ability to encourage community interest and participation and generate support for the establishment of the proposed CSMR by generating over 2000 submissions from the public during the two 30-day public consultation periods for the Coral Sea Marine Reserve Management Plan and over 4000 submissions during the other two public consultation periods for the zoning of the Coral Sea Marine Reserve.
Watch this video that highlights the tremendous support that the Protect Our Coral Sea campaign had far and wide.
Watch this video that highlights the tremendous support that the Protect Our Coral Sea campaign had far and wide.
Outreach
STUDENTS
I organised and set up a group called “Students for the Coral Sea” made up of volunteer students and graduates from faculties such as Marine Biology, Environmental Science etc. at James Cook University that, after being provided with training about the proposed Coral Sea Marine Reserve (CSMR), were responsible for outreach, information and education activities about the CSMR within the university.
I organised and set up a group called “Students for the Coral Sea” made up of volunteer students and graduates from faculties such as Marine Biology, Environmental Science etc. at James Cook University that, after being provided with training about the proposed Coral Sea Marine Reserve (CSMR), were responsible for outreach, information and education activities about the CSMR within the university.
DIVING INDUSTRY
I engaged and involved in the campaign scuba diving instructors and crew-members
that operate daily within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. They were provided with training about the proposed Coral Sea Marine Reserve (CSMR),
constantly updated on the campaign and acted as ambassadors of the campaign for tourists and local customers.
I engaged and involved in the campaign scuba diving instructors and crew-members
that operate daily within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. They were provided with training about the proposed Coral Sea Marine Reserve (CSMR),
constantly updated on the campaign and acted as ambassadors of the campaign for tourists and local customers.
KIDS
I organised events especially dedicated to children with educational activities about the oceans and the Coral Sea and wrote a few articles in children’s magazines about the importance of protecting our environment for future generations.
I organised events especially dedicated to children with educational activities about the oceans and the Coral Sea and wrote a few articles in children’s magazines about the importance of protecting our environment for future generations.
TRADITIONAL OWNERS
I engaged with Indigenous groups along the coast of the Great Barrier Reef and periodically updated them about the campaign progresses.
I was also invited as a guest speaker and delivered a presentation about the CSMR and the role of large pelagic marine reserves in protecting pelagic species like sharks at the MAMU TUMRA community event organised by the MAMU Indigenous group.
I engaged with Indigenous groups along the coast of the Great Barrier Reef and periodically updated them about the campaign progresses.
I was also invited as a guest speaker and delivered a presentation about the CSMR and the role of large pelagic marine reserves in protecting pelagic species like sharks at the MAMU TUMRA community event organised by the MAMU Indigenous group.
RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN
I engaged and established sound partnerships with recreational and commercial fisherman that were previously reluctant to collaborate with conservation organisations.
I also designed an informative brochure for recreational anglers about the CSMR which was welcomed by fishing and boating groups.
I engaged and established sound partnerships with recreational and commercial fisherman that were previously reluctant to collaborate with conservation organisations.
I also designed an informative brochure for recreational anglers about the CSMR which was welcomed by fishing and boating groups.
UNIVERSITY
I delivered a series of public lectures at James Cook University and Tertiary and Further Education (Tafe) colleges about the CSMR, the benefits of its establishment and the importance of protecting its outstanding biological values for future generations.
I also directly involved and engaged with the sustainability clubs and faculties of these two educational institutions.
The public lectures were very effective and greatly attended and a few members of the audiences consequently became dedicated volunteers of the Protect Our Coral Sea campaign.
I also was invited as a guest speaker and delivered a presentation about the proposed CSMR at the Sustainability Symposium and Fair organised by James Cook University.
I delivered a series of public lectures at James Cook University and Tertiary and Further Education (Tafe) colleges about the CSMR, the benefits of its establishment and the importance of protecting its outstanding biological values for future generations.
I also directly involved and engaged with the sustainability clubs and faculties of these two educational institutions.
The public lectures were very effective and greatly attended and a few members of the audiences consequently became dedicated volunteers of the Protect Our Coral Sea campaign.
I also was invited as a guest speaker and delivered a presentation about the proposed CSMR at the Sustainability Symposium and Fair organised by James Cook University.
Events
The Coral Sea Happy Hour
|
This event was especially dedicated to the diving industry to update them on the campaign, celebrate what we have achieved so far and ask for their support and help in the last public consultation period for the establishment of the CSMR to secure this marine jewel for the future.
|
|
The Coral Sea Celebration Weekend
The Coral Sea Celebration Weekend consisted of two events over a two days weekend.
The first and opening event was the free film screening of ‘Planet Oceans’. The film was presented for the first time at Rio+20 and narrates the links between man and ocean, the future of humankind on Earth, the governance issue of the high seas and challenges we’ll have to face tomorrow. The event was really successful with virtually every available seat occupied.
|
For the following day I organised an event especially dedicated to children and their families. It was held on the Cairns’ Esplanade adjacent to the lagoon that became alive with the creatures of the Coral Sea (inflatable marine life-shaped pool toys) and I organised a free BBQ, face painting and other fun activities and family games with an ocean theme.
|
Our Coral Sea: The Story, The History
Our Coral Sea: The Story, The History was an historic exhibition describing the journey though the dramatic history of the Coral Sea and the changing perceptions towards our oceans. It narrates about shipwrecks,
Matthew Flinders, emus, whales, war and natural wonders combined to form the history of one of Australia’s most remote and special ocean regions: The Coral Sea.
The exhibition was set up within the James Cook University’s library and lasted for two weeks.
Matthew Flinders, emus, whales, war and natural wonders combined to form the history of one of Australia’s most remote and special ocean regions: The Coral Sea.
The exhibition was set up within the James Cook University’s library and lasted for two weeks.
World Ocean Day ‘A Special Gathering of Extraordinary People of the Sea’
A Special Gathering of Extraordinary People of the Sea’ was an event that I organised for World Ocean Day with a special programme of extraordinary people working in and for the ocean sharing their stories and connections with the sea.
Presenters included the owner of Eye to Eye Marine Encounters John Rumney, underwater filmmaker Stuart Ireland, Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation founder Jennie Gilbert, cinematographer Richard Fitzpatrick and many others.
The event was an absolute success and the best way I could live my last day of work for the Protect Our Coral Sea campaign.
Stand up for Ocean Conservation
I organised a photo shoot in order to raise awareness for ocean conservation.
This event occurred inside the Lagoon on the Cairns Esplanade with about 30 people attending, joining hands and making a beautiful fish shape outline.
The event was covered by the major local newspaper.
This event occurred inside the Lagoon on the Cairns Esplanade with about 30 people attending, joining hands and making a beautiful fish shape outline.
The event was covered by the major local newspaper.
