In 2021 we turned our attention to that other “Great” marine ecosystem, the Great Southern Reef. It’s a place many of us have visited (probably even during a Fish Count survey) but few of us even realise it exists! So our annual Fish Count Celebration Night delved into the story of the Great Southern Reef and what is being done to raise awareness of this unique, important temperate reef system and the challenges it faces.
Once again this was online event, so we’re pleased to bring you the full recording of the night as well as each speaker’s presentation below.
GVFC Celebration Night 2021- Across our Great Southern Reef Full Recording
VNPA’s ReefWatch team were joined by Shannon Hurley, Sahira Bell and Dr Prue Francis to discuss the Great Southern Reef, and how to raise the profile of this other “Great” marine ecosystem through formal and informal education. We also hear about the importance of citizen science in protecting and managing our natural environment, and what last 2020’s GVFC results told us about the bony fish, sharks and rays we find along our stretch of the Great Southern Reef.
GVFC Celebration Night 2021- Individual Presentations
The Story of the Great Southern Reef with Sahira Bell
Sahira Bell from the Great Southern Reef project introduces us to an amazing reef that many of us have visited, but may not have realised until now! She talks about how this unique, interconnected ecosystem spanning the southern half of the continent was in desperate need of recognition, and what her project is doing to raise the profile of our other “Great” Reef through education and outreach.
About the Great Southern Reef project
Great Southern Reef School Resources
Ocean Literacy with Prue Francis
Dr Prue Francis of Deakin University shows us that while many feel a great connection to the ocean, we really know very little about it. She takes us through recent efforts to boost ocean literacy in informal and formal educational settings, including raising public awareness, developing curriculum, and exploring key themes in picture story books.
UNESCO Ocean Literacy Portal
VNPA’s Nature Conservation Campaigner Shannon Hurley chats about how citizen science data, and the community interest it generates, are valuable resources when it comes to protecting our natural environment and setting good policy for managing our ocean and coasts.
Highlights of the 2020 GVFC with Nicole Mertens
VNPA’s Nicole Mertens runs us through some of the findings of our 2020 GVFC, in a year where we all learned to love our home turf. She also shares some tips for those interested in joining the Count in future years as well as other upcoming ReefWatch opportunities.