New TV ad showcases Mornington’s unique marine life
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Media release
The Mornington Peninsula's unique marine life is starring in a new TV commercial promoting marine conservation. Weedy Seadragons, Bottlenose Dolphins, Blue Devilfish and Port Jackson Sharks are among the colourful local marine life featuring in the new ad. The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) hopes the ad will help open people's eyes to the state's unique underwater world, while raising awareness about some of the threats it faces. |
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VNPA marine and coastal project officer Simon Branigan said the waters off the Mornington Peninsula were home to some incredibly special marine environments.
"The reefs off the coast of Flinders and Merricks support colonies of Weedy Seadragon - a beautiful, graceful creature which has become our state marine emblem.
"Off Point Nepean and Cape Schanck, there are beautiful seagrass meadows, deep reefs and incredibly diverse sponge gardens.
"Beneath the waves of Port Phillip Heads, there is a spectacular underwater world of deep water canyons, cliffs, reefs, kelp beds and sponge gardens.
"These are just a few of the many special marine and coastal areas off the Peninsula."
The awareness campaign follows the release of a scientific review of Victoria's marine environment, commissioned by the VNPA, which demonstrated the urgent need for further research and initiatives to better protect Victoria's marine environment.
"The scientific review highlighted gaps in the Marine National Parks and sanctuaries set up to protect peninsula marine life,'' Mr Branigan said.
"For example, the effectiveness of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park is compromised because only half of the seagrass bed at Pt Nepean is protected.
"The Portsea Hole part of this Marine National Park doesn't adequately encompass the important canyon habitats and marine communities.
"And an important dolphin refuge area at Ticonderoga Bay isn't currently protected in a Marine National Park."
Mr Branigan said a comprehensive study of Victoria's marine environment was long overdue.
"It has been 17 years since Victoria's last and only comprehensive state-wide study of the marine environment, and eight years since Victoria's last major marine protection initiative,'' Mr Branigan said.
"Victoria needs a comprehensive, science-based inquiry into our marine habitats, values and threats to fill the many gaps in our current knowledge."
"The inquiry, which could be conducted by the independent Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) or a similar, qualified body, should also consider opportunities for new protection initiatives and consult widely with the community and relevant stakeholders".
Behind the scenes with Mark Campbell
More information
- For Interview please contact Simon Branigan, VNPA Marine & Coastal Project Officer, on 0409 087 278.
- For media assistance contact Michaela Farrington, VNPA Communications Advisor, on 03 9341 6510.
Victoria's coasts and seas are beautiful and unique. But they are at risk. We need to protect our marine environment now and you can help.