Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society

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Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society
Spring 2022

                                          Supporter Newsletter

 CREATURE FEATURE

Blooming
Jellyfish
 Page 2

Plastic Bags
Banned!
 Page 10

Sea Lion
Success
 Page 14

Species
Hotspots
 Page 15

                With Thanks to YOU
Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society
Humphead wrasse, Great Barrier Reef © Tanya Puntti
Jellyfish Bloom, Ningaloo Reef Exmouth Western Australia © Jess Hadden www.jesshaddenphoto.com. On the cover: Red Bell Jellyfish, Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth Western Australia © Jess Hadden jesshaddenphoto.com

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Creature Feature                                              Celebrating amazing sea life thanks to you...                                                         Breaking News                                                     You are Guardians for marine life…

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Time to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           turn the tide
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             on ocean
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              health
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Facts & Figures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              COMMON NAME:     Jellyfish
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Blooming Jellyfish                                        SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cnidaria                                                                                 State of Environment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BODY SIZE: 2cm to 2m
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              WEIGHT: Up to 2kg
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Jellyfish have no brain, blood, lungs or heart                                                                                                                      The new State of the Environment report             oceans are suffering from overheating, over
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    and consist of 98% water.                                 LIFESPAN (IN WILD): One year                                                                                                                                  use and under-protection.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        paints a deeply concerning picture of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              TOP SPEED: 8km/h                                                                                          health of our oceans and lands.                     It is a call to arms, a challenge that when
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    With more than 2,000 different species, jellyfish
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    are found in every ocean in the world. Scientists         DIET: Microscopic plankton, fish, shrimp,                                                                 Released in July 2022, 7 months after it was        it comes to protecting our environment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    believe there could be as many as 300,000                 crabs, seaweed, algae and even other                                                                      completed due to delays by the previous             ambition is the only option.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    different undiscovered species.Jellyfish are              species of jellyfish                                                                                      government, the landmark Report issued              The new government has the opportunity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    believed to be the oldest multi-organ animal              PREDATORS: Turtles, large fish and humans                                                                 every 5 years shows we must urgently turn           and mandate to ensure the state of our
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    species in the world dating back at least 500                                                                                                                       the tide to protect Australia’s priceless marine    oceans improves across the next five years.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Collectively known as cnidarians, including
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    million years.                                                                                                                                                      environments and wildlife.                          We are asking that they:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              over 10,000 known species of jellyfish,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The devastating new assessment has found            • take urgent action to address climate change
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    5 Amazing Aussie Jellyfish                                anemones, corals and hydroids.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        much of Australia’s environment is in a poor        • strengthen our national environment laws
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Here are five of our quirky Aussie locals:                                                                                                                           condition and the health of our coasts and          • form an independent Environment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   1 Found in the tropical coastal waters of                  capable of ‘ageing backwards’ by reverting to                                                             oceans is deteriorating.                                Protection Agency
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     northern Australia, the Australian box jellyfish         their earlier polyp stage, then regrowing into
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        It highlights a number of threats to marine         • fund the recovery of Australia’s threatened
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     is considered the most venomous marine                   an adult over and over again.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        health that must be addressed, including                wildlife
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     animal globally.                                       4 The largest of all jellyfishes is the lion’s mane
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        global warming, industrialisation, plastic and      • increase protections in our oceans by
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2 Bluebottle ‘jellyfish’ are common in Australia.          jellyfish. Its disc-shaped bell can be over 1m                                                            water pollution.                                        expanding marine sanctuaries
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     They’re not single jellyfish but siphonophores, or       across and its trailing tentacles can reach
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        It flags that more species are listed as            • introduce policies that will build our
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     colonial jellyfish, made up of four kinds of polyps,     more than 10m in length.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        threatened than five years ago, including               oceans’ resilience by reducing stress from

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Coral bleaching, John Brewer Reef, Great Barrier Reef @ Harriet Spark
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     all dependent on one another for survival.             5 At only 1-2cm yet extremely venomous, the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        marine wildlife, highlighting that Australia’s          industrialisation, poor fisheries management
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   3 Some species of jellyfish, such as the moon              Irukandji is found in deeper offshore waters of                                                           weak environment laws are failing to protect            and water and plastic pollution.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     jelly, can regenerate lost body parts. They are          northern Australia.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        and recover our unique flora and fauna.             We look forward to working with the Albanese
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The report’s conclusions are inescapable - our      government to improve ocean health.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Blooming Beautiful But Out Of Balance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Jellyfish blooms are a natural phenomenon. A temporary and short-lived explosion in local jellyfish
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   numbers that occurs when the conditions are right for reproduction and as a result of ocean and                                                                      Summer Bleaching Update
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   wind patterns. Yet, scientists are concerned that blooms are on the increase worldwide.                                                                              Fuelled by climate change, record-breaking marine heatwaves are causing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Human disruption exacerbates the extent and frequency of blooms. Climate change, rising                                                                              heat stress and coral bleaching. The Great Barrier Reef endured its fourth
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ocean temperatures and nutrient shifts are favourable for jellyfish. Overfishing and habitat                                                                         mass bleaching event in seven years. The first time in a La Nina summer. A
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   destruction can also remove competition and predators for jellyfish.                                                                                                 worrying event as La Nina normally brings cool weather to the east coast.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Blooms can be bad news for the ocean. Too many jellyfish may reduce fish populations,                                                                                Alarmingly, coral bleaching was simultaneously detected on Ningaloo Reef
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   competing for food and eating the fish eggs, larvae and juveniles.                                                                                                   and on other reefs in Western Australia on the other side of the country.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               2                                                Turning The Tide                                                                                                                                            With Thanks to YOU                                                 3
Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society
Climate Action for Our Oceans									                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Increasing the resilience of our oceans with your support…

                                                                                                            Aerial View of Beach along Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Judah Grubb

                                                                                                                                                                                  Great Sandy Straits and Fraser Island © Brent Randall Photography
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The 2022 floods have significantly impacted many
    Australians want                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Australians across Queensland and New South Wales.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        These events continue to devastate communities and people
    more ambitious                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              - our thoughts and wishes are with the communities
     climate action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    impacted by climate change fuelled disasters.

       and better
     protection for
         nature

    Australians Deliver a Mandate                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Floods Coastal Impact
    Australians want and expect our new government to do more to protect our oceans and wildlife.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Following devastating back-to-back floods. There is almost no seagrass remaining across
    The May federal election result has sent a clear signal. Australians want more ambitious climate                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Strait.
    action and better protection for nature. At a point where our oceans and wildlife face more threats                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Iconic species like dugongs and green turtles are reliant on seagrass. The loss is likely to lead to an
    than ever there is critical and urgent work to be done by the Australian Government.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                increase in sick or dead animals stranding in the coming months. The seagrass decline means the
    We look forward to working with the new government and politicians from across the political                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Queensland Government must urgently increase fully protected areas in the Great Sandy Marine
    spectrum to tackle the threats to Australia’s oceans.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Park in the region. Learn more about two of the marine species impacted by 2022’s flooding events:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      INSET: Posidonia australis seagrass meadow in Shark Bay, Western Australia. © Rachel Austin/UWA

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Dugong © Laura
    Our oceans face greater threats than ever              • Strengthen the marine parks network to fill                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Super Seagrasses                                         Adorable
    before from the climate, extinction and pollution        critical gaps. This provides our best option                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Seagrass meadows help                                    Dugongs
    crises. Unsustainable fishing and industrial             for ensuring good management of our                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        protect our coasts from                                  The Great Sandy
    development threaten wildlife and habitats.              oceans and long-term ecosystem protection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 storm damage. Store                                      Marine Park is home
    We’ve written to the new Prime Minister and            • Improve commercial fisheries’                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              large amounts of carbon                                  to the largest dugong
    the Ministers for Climate Change and the                 sustainability by reducing the accidental                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  and provide habitat for a                                population in the
    Environment urging them to:                              catch of marine wildlife. Unsustainable                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    great diversity of wildlife.                             region. These shy
    1. Address the impacts of global warming on              fishing is the most immediate risk to many                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 A vital part of the marine                               marine mammals live
       our oceans.                                           threatened marine species.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ecosystem. Seagrasses provide food, habitat              in warm tropical coastal waters.
       • Our coasts and oceans are feeling the          3. End the threat of industrialisation in                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       and nursery areas for many vertebrate and                These enormous vegetarians are often
         heat. From coral bleaching at Ningaloo            Exmouth Gulf, Ningaloo.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      invertebrate species.                                    fondly called ‘sea cows’, as they graze on
         in the west to the Great Barrier Reef in       4. Protect the Great Barrier Reef.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Over 30 species can be found within                      the seagrass.
         the east and the loss of the Tasmanian                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Australian waters. Loss of seagrass habitats             They play an important ecological role in our
                                                           • Improve the resilience of the Reef. Take
         kelp forests in the south and mangrove                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         means a marine ecosystem breakdown. As                   coastal marine ecosystems. Their constant
                                                             action on climate change, water pollution                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  well as the extinction of species that depend
         forests in the north global warming is                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  grazing encourages regrowth which
                                                             and species protection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    on seagrass for survival.
         the single greatest threat to the health                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                maintains vital habitats.
         of our oceans. We must reduce fossil fuel         • Reject the Central Queensland Coal mine,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Worldwide, the dugong is listed as being
         emissions and shift to clean energy to              which is 10km from the Great Barrier Reef                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         New Discovery                                     vulnerable to extinction. Australia is the
         help cool the oceans.                               World Heritage Area.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 largest, and most important refuge for
    2. Creating enduring protections for our oceans     5. Tackle plastic pollution.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      World’s Largest Plant: Scientists have                 dugongs on our blue planet.
                                                           • Whilst Australians are making progress,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      discovered a 4,500-year-old seagrass in
       • Create strong laws for nature. The
                                                             voluntary national plastic reduction                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Western Australia’s Shark Bay. Genetic
         government must set up an independent                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            testing has determined it has spread                            Dugongs Under Threat
         Environmental Protection Agency to                  targets and action plans have failed.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          over a stretch of 180 km of the seafloor –
         ensure environmental decisions are                  This government can reduce waste by                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Dugongs are under threat from gillnet
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          about 20,000 football fields. Making it the
         accountable and independent.                        transitioning to mandatory targets.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          largest known plant on Earth.                             fishing see page 15 for more information.

4                                           Turning The Tide                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 With Thanks to YOU                                                   5
Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society
Australian sea lions, Baird Bay, South Australia © Sarah Munro
School of fish in Kelp Forest © beusbeus

                                               World Oceans Day								 		                                                                                                                                  Celebrating our precious oceans and wildlife…

                                                                                                                       Celebrating a
                                                                                                                   community of ocean
                                                                                                                     lovers across the
                                                                                                                    nation working for
                                                                                                                       healthy seas.

                                               World Oceans Giving Day                                                                                Wavemakers
                                               On World Oceans Day, 8 June 2022, we celebrated our life-giving oceans by holding a Giving Day.        Our philanthropic Wavemakers pledged a gift to inspire fellow ocean-lovers to give knowing
                                               You, our inspiring ocean-loving supporters, have blown us away with your donations and                 their donation and impact will be doubled. This year our Wavemakers included: Letcombe
                                               heartfelt words of encouragement!                                                                      Foundation, Alanah Jeffries, Tony Turner, Pottery for the Planet, Charles Warman Foundation, Let’s
                                                                                                                                                      Go Surfing, Jervis Bay Brewing Co, Sarah & Sebastian, Climate Challenge Events, James Kirby
                                               More than 2,000 of you wonderful, generous people gave to protect our oceans. Your donations           Foundation, Stand Desk, Two Monkeys Foundation, Sunnyside Foundation, Auguste the Label,
                                               were doubled by our incredible matching donors. As a result, we eclipsed our initial target to raise   Richard Tapscott, Earthyard, Living Edge Furniture, David Leckenbey, Graeme Wood Foundation.
                                               over $750,000!
                                               On behalf of everyone at AMCS, and especially from our oceans and incredible marine wildlife,
                                               Thank you! We are grateful for your support on World Oceans Day. Watch amcs.org.au/WOD-TY              Sarah & Sebastian                                    Jervis Bay Brewing Co.
                                                                                                                                                      Sarah & Sebastian independent jewellery              Jervis Bay Brewing Co. craft beers bring
                                               Ocean         Messages                              You’re Protecting Our Oceans                       artisans have a passion for marine life.             people and communities closer together.
                                               Wonderful ocean-lovers like you left us             Each generous gift we received on World            Designer, Sarah Munro, one half of Sarah             Surrounded by some of Australia’s most
                                                                                                                                                      and Sebastian, is an avid diver. It’s why Sarah      majestic national parks, and the many
                                               heartfelt messages of support on World              Oceans Day is growing our impact for our
                                                                                                                                                      & Sebastian have, together with their clients,       beaches on glorious Jervis Bay. Oisín
                                               Oceans Day.                                         oceans and marine life.
                                                                                                                                                      donated over $115,000 supporting AMCS.
                                                  “Happy World Oceans Day! By saving               World Oceans Day 2022 gifts have ensured we                                                             Sweeney, one of the brewery’s four founding
                                                                                                                                                      Sarah with filmmaker Alice Wesley-Smith              directors, is passionate about the place, and
                                                  the ocean, we can save the world”                can enact plans to protect our oceans including:
                                                                                                                                                      recently swam with the Baird Bay, SA, sea            says. ‘...helping keep this place beautiful is a
                                                  AMANDA                                           • Gillnet Buy Backs. Target the removal of the     lion colony to film a short documentary              huge part of what we do…’.
                                                  “Our oceans give us so much, we must               most lethal gillnets harming our precious        series, “Now You See Me”. She said:
                                                  do everything to protect them” JOHN                threatened marine life.                                                                               We are inspired not only by the crew, but
                                                                                                                                                      “Australian sea lions are one of our rarest
                                                                                                   • Sawfish Missions. Support Indigenous             marine animals. Their playfulness, curiosity         the whole community who raised money
                                                  “Thank you to all who stand up for our                                                                                                                   in support of JBB’s role as one of our
                                                  oceans and our planet” SUSAN                       rangers to carry out further sawfish missions    and sociable nature is wholly relatable to
                                                                                                     across northern Australia. Pull these            humankind. Their protection is paramount.”           Wavemakers on World Oceans Giving Day.
                                                  “Our oceans sustain us. Let’s sustain              remarkable creatures back from the brink.        Thank you Sarah & Sebastian, you are                 Thank you Jervis Bay Brewing Co. for being
                                                  them” CYNTHIA                                                                                       incredible Wavemakers protecting our oceans.         such an incredible team of ocean protectors!
                                                                                                   • GoodFish. Grow our GoodFish program
                                                   “Great to have AMCS to save our                   and sustainability guide. Increase demand
                                                   precious oceans, ecosystems and                   for sustainable seafood options.
                                                   marine life!” MARGARET                          • Marine Sanctuary Awareness. Use science-
                                               Thank you to our kind supporters who filled           based education to counter misinformation
                                               our hearts with inspiration. It’s because             affecting Marine Sanctuary proposals.
                                               of our shared vision for our beautiful blue         • Plastic Pollution. Launch a campaign to
                                               oceans that we all connect together on                recruit supermarkets to become part of the
                                               World Oceans Day.                                     plastics solution, not the problem.

                                           6                                          Turning The Tide                                                                                   With Thanks to YOU                                                   7
Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society
Jason & Eli, Green Island

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Charlotte (7 years old) and Annabel (5 years old)
                                World Oceans Day								 		                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Celebrating our precious oceans and wildlife…

                                                                                                                                      Keep Our Oceans Cool © Auguste the Label
                                                                                                                                                                                 Ethan (9 years old) and Imogen (7 years old)
                                Swell Support                                                                                                                                                                                   Ethan & Imogen                                           Charlotte & Annabel

                                World Oceans Day is a chance to celebrate Australia’s unique marine life.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Since 2018, Ethan (9 years) and Imogen                 Charlotte (7 years) and Annabel (5 years)
                                And celebrate we did. Ethan and Imogen donated their pocket money. Charlotte and Annabel                                                                                                        (7 years) have been donating their pocket              celebrated World Oceans Day by tidying up
                                cleaned their local beach. Jason created a fundraising team to encourage friends and family to                                                                                                  money to support marine conservation.                  their local beach.
                                donate. Auguste The Label donated proceeds of a limited edition t-shirt.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The pair donated their $35 pocket money                The sisters do regular beach clean-ups. They
                                Our ocean-loving community rallied together to make this World Oceans Day a celebration                                                                                                         on World Oceans Giving Day, doubling it, to            managed to rope in some like-minded school
                                for our big blue backyard.                                                                                                                                                                      have a $70 impact for our oceans. They said:           friends to join them in the spirit of World
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                “We love donating our pocket money to                  Oceans Day!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                AMCS as they are working hard to help                  Their mother, Hazel, said, “the girls were really
                                Fish Fund                                         Auguste The Label                                                                                                                             protect our oceans.                                    enthusiastic about doing our own beach
                                Jason Fischman is a keen scuba diver and          Byron Bay based clothes company Auguste                                                                                                       The future of our oceans is so important               clean up for World Oceans Day.”
                                citizen scientist marine biologist.               The Label celebrated World Oceans Day                                                                                                         and want to make sure the marine life is               “I just wanted to say thanks for creating such
                                As someone who’s spent virtually every            with a limited edition “Keep Our Oceans                                                                                                       looked after”.                                         an accessible avenue for young people to
                                summer over the last 45 years by the sea.         Cool” charity t-shirt supporting AMCS.                                                                                                                                                               learn and be more involved.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Ethan and Imogen’s ongoing support warms
                                Jason said he has a deep connection to            Their passionate influencers, ambassadors                                                                                                     our hearts. They remind us of the important            The girls said, “Any day can be Oceans Day!”
                                Ocean. “Its ways of enchanting, capturing         and customers shared the message across                                                                                                       vision to not only protect our oceans and              Charlotte and Annabel are our next
                                our imagination and intriguing us with            social media. Taking our marine conservation                                                                                                  marine life today, but to ensure our future            generation and why we are protecting our
                                mysteries of the unexplored.”                     work to new audiences. Conservationists,                                                                                                      generations have healthy oceans to call                oceans - their passion and commitment are
                                His love for our marine life and concern for      families, and influential individuals threw their                                                                                             their own tomorrow.                                    an inspiration to us!
                                the future of the Ocean inspired Jason to         support behind AMCS on this special day.
                                set up a World Oceans Day Team, which he          Ebony Eagles, founder of Auguste, said
                                called the Fish Fund.                             her business would “strive to operate in a
                                                                                  way that was both harmonious with the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Let’s Go Surfing
                                Jason reached out to family and friends and
                                                                                  environment and an inspiration to others to                                                                                                   The team at Let’s Go Surfing have been a long-time
                                raised an incredible $7,764 on World Oceans
                                                                                  do the same”.                                                                                                                                 supporter of AMCS campaigns, and fantastic advocates
                                Day to protect our oceans.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                for the ocean, both in and out of the water.
                                Amazing supporters like Jason are an              Auguste has donated hundreds of thousands
                                                                                  of dollars to humanitarian and conservation                                                                                                   They are Ecotourism Certified, and practice what they
                                inspiration. Thank you, Jason and the Fish
                                                                                  organisations.                                                                                                                                preach; using eco-friendly wetsuit washing products, recycling
                                Fund Team!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                wetsuits, avoiding plastic use wherever possible, and enforcing
                                                                                  Thank you to the Auguste The Label crew
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                strict water saving protocols across their entire operation.
                            © Doug Anderson
                                                                                  for their sustained support of the planet and
                                                                                  oceans we love.                                                                                                                               Just like last year, the team at Let’s Go Surfing decided
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                that World Oceans Day would be the perfect day on
                                                                                  Visit augustethelabel.com
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                which to reaffirm their support. Thank you!

                            8                                         Turning The Tide                                                                                                                                                                               With Thanks to YOU                                                    9
Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society
Loggerhead Turtle eating plastic

                                                                                                                                                    Ghost Net © Tane Sinclair-Taylor

                                                                                                                                                                                       Red Hermit Crab (Coenobita perlata), Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean, Australia © Gary Bell / OceanwideImages.com

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Exmouth Gulf corals and sponges © Blue Media Exmouth
                                        Clean, thriving oceans                         You’re tackling plastic pollution to protect our oceans...                                                                                                                                                                Defending ocean habitats                                               You’re protecting marine areas…

                                         We Banned The Bag!                                    Ghost Gear Collab                                                                                                                                                                                                 Christmas & Cocos Win                                   Exmouth Gulf

                                         Our historic win in NSW means that                    AMCS has joined the Global Ghost Gear                                                                                                                                                                             Two huge new marine parks around                      Where the desert meets the sea, the
                                         single-use plastic bags are finally                   Initiative (GGGI).                                                                                                                                                                                                Australia’s Christmas Island and the Cocos            turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef are
                                         banned across ALL of Australia!                       Ghost nets and other fishing gear are one                                                                                                                                                                         (Keeling) Islands declared!                           known the world over.
                                         Thanks to historic laws won by AMCS                   of the most lethal types of marine debris in                                                                                                                                                                      These were co-designed by the local island            The World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Coast
                                         Supporters, on 1 June 2022 NSW joined the             our oceans.                                                                                                                                                                                                       communities that rely on healthy oceans for           contains a high diversity of habitats.
                                         rest of the country in banning lightweight            Gillnets, trawl nets and crab pots are                                                                                                                                                                            their culture, lifestyles and livelihoods.            Including fringing coral reefs, lagoons, sandy
                                         plastic shopping bags.                                designed to catch and kill fish. So it is no                                                                                                                                                                      Incredibly, 99% of the parks are highly               beaches, estuaries and mangroves.
                                         Plastic bags are one of the most lethal               surprise that when they are lost at sea,                                                                                                                                                                          protected sanctuary areas. Together they              Exmouth Gulf, Ningaloo’s nursery, is a
                                         plastic killers of ocean animals. They                they continue doing exactly what they                                                                                                                                                                             form one of the largest marine sanctuary              mega-diverse environment. It’s a critical
                                         escape and float easily in air and water,             were designed for. Catching and killing                                                                                                                                                                           areas in the world – 739,000 square km.               resting and nursing area for one of the
                                         travelling long distances to reach the                unsuspecting animals.                                                                                                                                                                                             They provide an important safe haven for              world’s largest humpback whale populations
                                         ocean. They last for generations, taking up           We must tackle the threat of lost fishing                                                                                                                                                                         marine life that is under increasing pressure         and a place of global importance.
                                         to 1,000 years to fully break down.                   gear in our oceans.                                                                                                                                                                                               from industrial fishing, climate change and           However, Exmouth Gulf is under ongoing
                                         Turtles mistake them for their favourite food,         AMCS has joined forces in a collaboration                                                                                                                                                                        pollution.                                            threat from industrialisation. A newly
                                         jellyfish. Once eaten, these soft plastics            between conservationists, governments                                                                                                                                                                             These Indian Ocean Territories are uniquely           announced Exmouth Gulf Taskforce confirms
                                         block their stomachs and they starve.                 and industry bodies. The initiative seeks to                                                                                                                                                                      Australian and globally significant.                  the urgent need for environmental protection.
                                         This is an incredible victory for wildlife.           scale up solutions, drive fisheries reform                                                                                                                                                                        • Christmas Island’s famous annual red                The announcement comes as a response
                                         We couldn’t have done it without you! Our             and change policies. Together we will work                                                                                                                                                                           crab migration was described as one                to the Environmental Protection Authority
                                         oceans are a little safer thanks to all the           to ensure lost or damaged fishing gear                                                                                                                                                                               of the 10 natural wonders of the world             report on Exmouth Gulf in 2021. This
                                         ocean lovers and organisations who fought             is recovered and brought back to shore,                                                                                                                                                                              by Sir David Attenborough. Its thriving            confirmed the Gulf is of global importance.
                                         with us to ban the bag.                               before it can hurt wildlife.                                                                                                                                                                                         rainforests, deserted beaches and fringing         It’s fragile, under pressure and needs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    reef provide a haven for unique and rare           conservation attention. New protected areas
                                               Take Action: Ban thick plastic bags                    Read: Learn More About Ghost Nets                                                                                                                                                                             seabirds, land crabs and marine life.              are a high priority.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 • Cocos (Keeling) Islands’ azure waters are           These first steps to create reserves, a Taskforce
                                          Some retailers have been handing out                  Ghost nets are a deadly trap for ocean                                                                                                                                                                              home to an incredible array of marine              and a marine park in Exmouth Gulf are most
                                          thick plastic bags as if they were single-            animals, including endangered turtles and                                                                                                                                                                           life including tropical fishes, corals, turtles,   welcome. But there is a long way to go.
                                          use, circumventing bans on lightweight                sea lions. Abandoned, lost or discarded
                                          plastic bags.                                         fishing gear is a lethal entanglement risk,                                                                                                                                                                         manta rays and dolphins.
                                          Just like other soft plastics, heavyweight            floating in the ocean for many decades                                                                                                                                                                           These new marine parks are a major                            Learn More
                                          plastic bags are lethal for wildlife.                 without breaking down.                                                                                                                                                                                           contribution to international efforts to
                                                                                                But how much of a problem is ghost gear,                                                                                                                                                                         conserve our oceans with a network of                   Sign up to get updates from the Protect
                                          Add your name to the petition for a ban
                                                                                                and what can we do about it?                                                                                                                                                                                     highly protected areas.                                 Ningaloo campaign at
                                          on thick plastic bags at
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         www.protectningaloo.org.au
                                          www.amcs.org.au/heavyweight                           Visit amcs.org.au/ghostgear

                                   10                                              Turning The Tide                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     With Thanks to YOU                                                 11
Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society
Reef © Nat Barnes

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ‘Trouble in Paradise’ community arts project, Fat Frog Studio © Natasha Tomlin
                         Defending ocean habitats and species												You’re protecting our Great Barrier Reef...

                         Monitoring Mission                                   Reef Tourism Community                                                     Trouble in Paradise                                                                               Clive Palmer Mine Update

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ‘Trouble in Paradise’ © Natasha Tomlin
                         The past few months have seen our Reef             Our Reef                                                                     Volunteer, Natasha                                                                               Thanks to you, the proposed Central
                         under the international spotlight for              campaigners                                                                  Tomlin, created an                                                                               Queensland Coal (CQC) mine was knocked
                         many reasons.                                      visited the                                                                  amazing community                                                                                back by the Queensland government.
                         In March, the UNESCO and IUCN Reactive             Whitsundays in                                                               art project in Cairns.                                                                           Deemed an unacceptable environmental
                         Monitoring Mission visited the Reef to assess      June to reconnect                                                            Titled ‘Trouble in                                                                               impact. It was the first time the Qld
                         firsthand the Australian governments’              with our Reef                                                                Paradise’. The art                                                                               government has ever rejected a coal mine.
                         management of the Reef for the World               community.                                                                   installation shines a                                                                            The proposal has since sat on the previous
                         Heritage Committee.                                Reef tourism operators are vital to building                                 spotlight on plastic                                                                             Federal environment minister’s desk for
                         Thanks to your support, AMCS and WWF               support for protecting the Reef.                                             pollution.                                                                                       12 months. The final decision on the mine
                         briefed the Mission officials on climate           Our team was so inspired and uplifted by                                     Natasha (pictured)                                                                               is now with the new federal environment
                         change, fisheries, threatened species              how adaptive and resilient the tourism                                       collaborated with talented artists from Fat                                                      minister, Tanya Plibersek. Following the
                         and water quality. We provided them                industry is. Despite enduring a global                                       Frog Studios and local community groups.                                                         consultation period, we hope Minister
                         with recommendations and solutions for                                                                                                                                                                                           Plibersek rejects this mine once and for all.
                                                                            pandemic and bleaching - tourism is                                          Together they created a plastic reef
                         addressing these threats to the Reef.                                                                                                                                                                                            Thank you for your actions and support to
                                                                            powering along and operators are keen                                        sculpture made from debris collected on Far
                         The World Heritage Committee Meeting               to advocate for protecting the Reef.                                         North Queensland’s shorelines.                                                                   ensure it never sees the light of day.
                         and the Reef ‘In Danger’ decision has
                                                                            A highlight of the trip was spotting over 30
                         been postponed indefinitely. We will
                                                                            turtles whilst exploring Pioneer Bay with
                         continue to grow our movement and build
                         support for protecting the Reef, tosecure          Whisper Cruises - the only electric boat in                                  Reef Bleaching Update
                         a strong decision from the World Heritage          Airlie Beach.                                                                Our Reef is in hot water. Sadly, our Great Barrier Reef
                         Committee at the next meeting.                                               ghead VIC
                                                                                                                Austra  lia
                                                                                                                                                         endured its fourth mass bleaching event in seven years.
                                                                                            Jordan Rou
                                                                                                                                                         This summer, following the hottest December sea
                                                                                                                                                         temperatures on record. bleaching impacted 91% of all
                         Our Reef Photo Project                                                                                                          Reefs surveyed.
                         It’s been inspirational to see the wide array of photos and                                                                     Corals can recover from these marine heatwaves. But they
                         messages submitted to the Our Reef photo album. This                                                          d QLD Aust
                                                                                                                                                 ralia   need time and the right conditions. As the water starts to
                                                                                                                              Maddy Dod
                         photo album is collecting pictures and stories from all over the                                                                cool, corals may regain colour and health. The full extent of
                         globe. To remind decision-makers how incredible our Reef                                                                        the bleaching impact will not be known for months.
                         is and why it is still worth fighting for.
                                                                                                                                                         This is the first time the Reef has suffered a mass
                         We’ll present this visual petition to the new Australian                                                                                                                                    Coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef. © Harriet Spark
                                                                                                                                                         bleaching event in a La Nina summer. A worrying event
                         government and World Heritage Committee in the
                                                                                                                                                         as La Nina normally brings cool weather due to increased cloud cover, wind and rain. This
                         coming months. Urging them to protect our beloved Reef.
                                                                                                                                                         summer should have brought a cool reprieve. And a chance for Reef recovery. But record-
                         Please share your photo and story, it’s easy! ourreef.org.au                                                                    breaking marine heatwaves are causing heat stress and coral bleaching.
                                                                                                                                 lia
                                                                                                                       VIC Austra
                                                                                                          Paul Evans
                    12                                            Turning The Tide                                                                                                                With Thanks to YOU                                                                                      13
Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society
Baby Australian Sea Lion, South Australia © JSpannhoff

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Green Sea Turtle, Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef © Michael Smith
                                                              Defending ocean habitats and species												                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    You’re protecting threatened species…

                                                                                                                                                                  2021 Sawfish Rescue Mission with Malak Malak Rangers and Peter Kyne. © CDU

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Australian Snubfin Dolphin © Daniele Cagnazzi
                                                              Sea Lion Success                                    Sawfish Rescue Launch                                                                                                                                                        Species Hotspots
                                                              Thanks to you, 98% fewer Australian sea             Thanks to you we’ve funded the Malak                                                                                                                                         Thanks to your support, we’ve created a first-of-its-kind map. The map shows protected
                                                              lions are being killed in SA fishery nets.          Malak rangers’ rescue mission with                                                                                                                                           species hotspots subject to high levels of commercial gillnet fishing.
                                                              Australian sea lions are unique to our shores.      scientists from Charles Darwin University                                                                                                                                    Our new map has identified important regions for endangered and protected marine wildlife
                                                              These beautiful animals are only found              to help critically endangered sawfish.                                                                                                                                       in our Great Barrier Reef. It shows how dangerous gillnet fishing overlaps with these areas.
                                                              along the coastline of South Australia and          With overwhelming support from ocean lovers                                                                                                                                  Gillnet fishing is a big threat to iconic marine wildlife like dugongs, sawfish and turtles.
                                                              Western Australia. Their numbers have fallen        like you. We have funded a unique, globally                                                                                                                                  They can become entangled and drown in the large, almost invisible nets.
                                                              by over 60% in four decades, and they are           significant rescue mission. This project will                                                                                                                                For example, the map shows the Bowen-Whitsunday region is important for dugongs, four
                                                              now endangered.                                     save young sawfish from a horrific fate.                                                                                                                                     species of turtle, two types of dolphin and three species of sawfish. Yet has some of the
                                                              With an estimated 6,500 adults left, they are       Largetooth sawfish pups are born at river                                                                                                                                    highest gillnet fishing effort on the Great Barrier Reef. www.amcs.org.au/SpeciesHotspots
                                                              facing an extinction crisis.                        mouths. They spend their first few years of
                                                              10 years ago, we helped a Commonwealth              life in freshwater floodplains, then head out
                                                              fishery off SA put in place a strategy to           into our big blue ocean.
                                                              protect Australian sea lions. This has resulted                                                                                                                                                                                  Australian Snubfin Dolphin                                Green Turtle
                                                                                                                  Because of global warming, seasonal
                                                              in an estimated 98% reduction in fatalities.        floodplain waters will recede too fast -                                                                                                                                     Australian snubfin dolphins are found only in             The Great Barrier Reef is home to the world’s
                                                              Meaning we have saved the lives of over             leaving sawfish literally out to dry.                                                                                                                                        Australia and southern Papua New Guinea.                  largest green turtle nesting event. Up to
                                                              2,000 endangered Australian sea lions in the                                                                                                                                                                                     They live in small isolated populations along             100,000 turtles return to Raine Island to lay
                                                                                                                  Young sawfish become trapped in isolated                                                                                                                                     the top of Australia’s coastline, from the                their eggs!
                                                              past decade.
                                                                                                                  billabongs. Blistering heat and reduced                                                                                                                                      Kimberley WA to Gladstone QLD.
                                                              This success is thanks to the support of            water flow causes their underwater homes                                                                                                                                                                                               Sadly, this population of green turtles is in
                                                              passionate people like you.                         to dry up and vanish.                                                                                                                                                        Numbers are so low that the species is                    decline. Global warming is causing 99% of all
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               considered vulnerable to extinction. The                  hatchlings to be born as females. Each year,
                                                                                                                  Without rescue, they won’t survive to see the                                                                                                                                loss of just one adult can have devastating
                                                                        Expand Our Strategy To WA
                                                                                                                  ocean.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 returning turtles run the gauntlet of gillnets
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               impacts on populations. One of their main                 through their main feeding grounds. While also
                                                                                                                  Because of you, the Sawfish Rescue Mission is                                                                                                                                threats is incidental capture in gillnets set to          suffering the consequences of plastic pollution
                                                                 With the success demonstrated in South           ready to launch in spring. We’re on a mission
                                                                 Australia, we are now turning our attention                                                                                                                                                                                   catch fish such as barramundi in QLD.                     and nest predation by feral pigs.
                                                                 to Australian sea lion populations in Western    to find sawfish trapped in drying billabongs
                                                                 Australia, where much less is known about        and release them into the Daly River.
                                                                 sea lion populations and we suspect sea lions                                                                                                                                                                                          What is a gillnet?                    Take Action
                                                                 continue to be killed in the gillnet fishery.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Our Reef should be a refuge for these species.
                                                                 Colonies are smaller and at even more risk                                                                                                                                                                                      Gillnets are long, virtually invisible       We need to be providing protection against a cruel
                                                                 from bycatch death. This is made worse                                                                                                                                                                                          nets used in commercial fishing.             death in gillnets in these hotspots.
                                                                 by the fact that appropriate regulation                                                                                                                                                                                         But these nets are indiscriminate
                                                                 and monitoring in Western Australia is                                                                                                                                                                                          killers. They catch, trap and                These areas identified in our map, should be prioritised
                                                                 dangerously lacking.                                                                                                                                                                                                            drown threatened species like                for a network of Net-Free Zones. Help threatened species
                                                                 amcs.org.au/rescue-plan                                                                                                                                                                                                         dugongs, dolphins and turtles.               populations, sign petition at amcs.org.au/action-hotspots

                                                         14                                             Turning The Tide                                                                                                                                                                                                                  With Thanks to YOU                                               15
Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society
Reef Line fisher, Chris Bolton

                                      Clean, thriving oceans									                                                                                                              You’re supporting sustainable management of our oceans…

                                      Seafood Assessed                                  Meet: Reef Fisher, Chris Bolton                      Art For GoodFish
                                      Every three years we update our GoodFish          Local handline Reef Line                             Renowned Bondi                                  Meet Easty
                                      Guide assessments.                                fisher, Chris Bolton shares                          artist, Easty                                   Beasty
                                      We recently assessed 38 Queensland and            his incredible journey to                            Beasty paints
                                                                                                                                                                                             Ella Thrupp is
                                      29 New South Wales wild caught seafood            sustainability.                                      new mural for
                                                                                                                                                                                             renowned Bondi
                                      options.                                          “When my daughter was                                sustainable
                                                                                                                                                                                             artist Easty Beasty
                                      Much of Queensland’s iconic seafood               born, that really got me                             seafood.
                                                                                                                                                                                             She said: “Art’s
                                      remains unsustainable. Many have been             thinking about the future.                           We recently
                                                                                                                                                                                             always had a place
                                      red listed in our GoodFish sustainable            I was catching a lot of fish back then. I sat back   worked with local
                                                                                                                                                                                             in driving change
                                      seafood guide.                                    and looked at it and I thought if I keep catching    Sydney artist Easty
                                                                                                                                                                                             for good.
                                      New South Wales has seen a dramatic drop          this sort of volume of fish - basically it is not    Beasty to produce
                                                                                        sustainable. I really thought about the next         an artwork on                                   I’m proud to be able to take part in an
                                      in green-listed seafood options from 11 in
                                                                                        generation, and the one after that and the           world renowned Bondi Beach. This is part        important cause with my art. Especially when
                                      2018 to just three.
                                                                                        one after that.”                                     of a broader plan to bring the GoodFish         it’s something I wholeheartedly believe in.
                                      NSW waters are heating at some of the
                                                                                        The Reef Line fishery has done the hard work.        campaign into public spaces around              Conscious seafood choices are paramount
                                      fastest rates in the world, at up to 4x the
                                                                                        Fishers work within a world class marine park        Australia.                                      to helping our oceans stay healthy. I hope
                                      global average. Having up to 80% of a fish
                                      stock taken out of the water is not a safe or     that uses satellite tracking under a harvest         The mural includes sustainable fish species     the mural can prompt people to make those
                                      sustainable way to manage a fish stock in a       strategy ensuring fish stocks are kept at healthy    painted in blue facing healthy oceans           good choices.”
                                      global ocean heating hotspot.                     and resilient.                                       juxtaposed with unsustainable species
                                                                                        “I catch one at a time and take really good          painted in red.                                          GoodFish
                                      Our latest update recommends popular
                                      seafood items in Queensland should be             care of every single fish.                           The sustainable seafood inspired mural
                                      avoided. Due to either overfished stocks,         My grandfather fished exactly the same way           titled ‘Make a Swap for the Sea’ is painted
                                                                                                                                                                                               GoodFish is a sustainability initiative
                                      dangers to marine wildlife posed by the fishing   - hand lines. All by hand. One line, one hook, one   on the seawall at iconic Bondi Beach. The         designed to help Australians to know more
                                      methods or a history of under-reporting.          sinker and catch the fish one by one. If fisheries   mural seeks to encourage people to use our        about their seafood choices.
                                                                                        aren’t sustainable, we have no future.”              GoodFish sustainable seafood guide.               The complexity of ocean ecosystems
                                      Large number of amber listings mean NSW
                                      sustainable seafood lovers are recommended                                                                                                               means knowing what’s best to buy can be
                                                                                                                                                                                               confusing. GoodFish does the hard work
                                      to eat less of some NSW seafood options.                    Watch                                                                                        by providing an independent guide to truly
                                      There are, however, some success stories.                                                                                                                sustainable seafood.
                                      Our GoodFish assessors green listing most of        Spend some time with local Reef Line fisher,                                                         We are bringing together all seafood
                                      the QLD Reef Line Fishery’s target catch. The       Chris Bolton. As he shares his incredible                                                            lovers, chefs, fishers, food businesses and
                                      Guide also adds several new sustainable             journey to sustainability. And highlights                                                            the public, to protect this precious resource
                                      seafood options caught from Great Barrier           the power he has as a fisher in creating                                                             into the future
                                                                                          a healthy ocean for future generations.
                                      Reef waters to the green list.                                                                                                                           Visit goodfish.org.au
                                                                                          Watch amcs.org.au/ReefLineFisher

                                 16                                           Turning The Tide                                                                               With Thanks to YOU                                                17
Blooming Jellyfish CREATURE FEATURE - Australian Marine Conservation Society
Lighthouse Cliff Landscape, Robe, SA © Amie Hindson. INSET: Dr Kay Adelaide Perkins
Tom Cannon, Protect What You Love

                                         Ocean Community									                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    		       Celebrating our ocean loving community…

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Jessica Stafford-Ewing © Giulia Scolari
                                         What You Love                                       Charity Yacht Race                                                                                                                                                                                          Jessica’s Decennial                              Remembering Kate

                                                                                                                                                   AMCS Crew at Renewable Energy Charity Yacht Club Race and inset Hamish Wall from Climate Challenge Events
                                         Protect What You Love recently held                Renewable Energy Charity Yacht Club Race                                                                                                                                                                     Jessica Stafford-Ewing recently                  Dr Kay Adelaide (Kate) Perkins was an
                                         “Bill’s Talks” in Coral Bay, WA, featuring a       raised an incredible $50,000 for ocean                                                                                                                                                                       celebrated 10 years as a Sea Guardian.           amazing woman, vivacious, enthusiastic
                                         number of incredible marine scientists.            conservation.                                                                                                                                                                                                “I can’t believe I am celebrating ten years      and always ready to help.
                                         From technological approaches, to tiger sharks     AMCS crew were invited as guests and                                                                                                                                                                         as a Sea Guardian!”                              She had an affinity with the natural
                                         and the Great Southern Reef, it was a night        beneficiaries to take part in the Renewable                                                                                                                                                                  She spends a lot of time on and in the           world. Kate championed being respectful
                                         filled with plenty of fun, and facts!              Energy Cup. Sailing Sydney Harbour, with                                                                                                                                                                     water, Jessica says:                             and supportive of the environment,
                                         On the night, over $1,000 was raised towards       corporate challengers competing in the                                                                                                                                                                                                                        conservation and animal welfare.
                                                                                            charity race.                                                                                                                                                                                                “I was fascinated by the deep blue as a
                                         marine conservation. We are so grateful to                                                                                                                                                                                                                      child. After moving from Melbourne to            Kate fostered positive change in all those
                                         see such a wonderful community of like-            Organiser Hamish Wall from Climate                                                                                                                                                                                                                            around her. She was tenacious. Kate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The Whitsundays as an adult, I naturally
                                         minded ocean lovers!                               Challenge Events, says, ‘We’re delighted                                                                                                                                                                                                                      achieved a high standing in her chosen
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         became even more drawn to the ocean
                                                                                            with the response - so much so that we                                                                                                                                                                                                                        career. A specialist obstetrician and
                                         Protect What You Love founder, Tom                                                                                                                                                                                                                              and its wildlife.
                                                                                            are challenging corporations who hold                                                                                                                                                                                                                         gynaecologist, no mean feat, particularly
                                         Cannon, said “it was a really great evening        sustainability as core pillars to join us in support                                                                                                                                                         Living at the gateway to the Great Barrier
                                         and everyone involved was really generous                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Reef for six years, I felt both blessed and      for a woman.
                                                                                            of AMCS, at the next event in March 2023.”
                                         with their efforts and time for us!”.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           disheartened by my own ‘backyard’. Such          She had a bright and curious mind that
                                                                                            Visit www.renewcup.org and find out more!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         a magnificent beauty but rapidly becoming        investigated a broad range of subjects in
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         more damaged and polluted, threatening           depth. She believed in Good Health and
                                                            Happy Birthday to our community!                                                                                                                                                                                                             ocean wildlife and their homes.”                 Wellbeing, Gender Equality, Life Below
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Jessica says she is proud to support since       Water, and Life on Land.
                                                            James celebrated his 11th       Stacey recently celebrated
                                                            birthday, and instead of        her 60th birthday with her                                                                                                                                                                                   2012: “AMCS is the voice for Australia’s ocean   Kate left a heartfelt Ocean Legacy to
                                                            gifts asked his friends and     fabulous friends.                                                                                                                                                                                            wildlife. An independent charity, they depend    protect our blue oceans to continue her
                                                            family to donate to AMCS.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    on donations & support from the public.”         legacy of championing the natural world.
                                                                                            As she is a self-described
                                                            Happy Birthday James!                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Thanks to the support of our amazing Sea         It brings us joy to ensure her legacy gift
                                                                                            thalassophile, she said “this
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Guardians like Jessica, we can continue to       accelerates the positive changes being
                                                            “I chose AMCS because           was a no gift event and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         defend our iconic reefs, beautiful oceans and    made to support her strong vision for a
                                         right now the sea is under threat from climate     instead, it was a fundraiser
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         the precious marine life that depend on them.    better world.
                                         change and pollution. Much of the marine           for AMCS, my favourite charity”.
                                         life is affected by this and are under threat of   Stacey and her fabulous friends raised over
                                         extinction.                                        $8,800 for marine conservation.                                                                                                                                                                                   Become a Sea Guardian today!                       Leave An Ocean Legacy
                                         “Thank you to all my friends who donated to        Happy diamond jubilee Stacey!
                                         help raise money for the sea and marine life.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                  You too can become an advocate and               By giving a gift in your Will, you will hand
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         guardian for our oceans as an AMCS Sea           on a wilder, more diverse and beautiful
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Guardian with an affordable monthly gift.        ocean planet to future generations.
                                         Community Fundraisers: Thank you to our ocean-loving community. If you would like to raise funds                                                                                                                                                                Visit amcs.org.au/SeaGuardians                   Visit amcs.org.au/OceanLegacy
                                         to protect our oceans visit amcs.org.au/fundraising-ideas or email supporter@amcs.org.au

                                    18                                            Turning The Tide                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          With Thanks to YOU                                           19
Jellyfish Bloom, Ningaloo Reef Exmouth Western Australia © Jess Hadden www.jesshaddenphoto.com

                                                                                                         Thank you
                                                                                                         for your
                                                                                                         support
                                                                                                         The Australian Marine Conservation
                                                                                                         Society is the voice for Australia’s
                                                                                                         ocean wildlife. We have defended
                                                                                                         Australia’s oceans for over 50 years.
                                                                                                         Thank you for your help to ensure
                                                                                                         Australia’s coasts and oceans
                                                                                                         remain healthy and free for
                                                                                                         future generations.

                                                                                                 Stay in touch                  @australianmarine                 @AustMarConsSoc      @marineconservation.au
                                                                                                 Contact Us                     07 3846 6777                      marineconservation.org.au
                                                                                                                                amcs@amcs.org.au                  PO Box 5815 West End QLD 4101
                                                                                                 The Australian Marine Conservation Society acknowledges the Traditional Custodians
                                                                                                 of this land and sea country, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
                                                                                                 We acknowledge that this land and sea was and always will be Aboriginal land and sea.

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