Community Monitoring in French Island Marine National Park Sunday 17th March 2019 Parks Victoria is delighted to invite you to join us aboard the SV Pelican to participate in a variety of community monitoring activities within one of Western Port’s Marine National Parks. The day will be focused on encouraging greater community participation in Western Ports’ outstanding marine protected areas and to encourage the establishment of groups that can play a role in the ongoing monitoring for these parks. Seagrass monitoring activities will be based on methods developed for the Sea Search community monitoring program with information collected being used to inform management as well as provide meaningful opportunities for community involvement. We will also undertake a survey for marine pests on an island within the park and undertake a control activity.
WHEN?
Sunday 17th March 2019. Departing at 8:30am from Hastings Jetty.
WHO?
The program is open to all those with an interest in Western Port’s marine protected areas and marine monitoring. Preference is given to new participants that have not been involved in this program in previous years. Community volunteers, representatives from key partner organisations, and Parks Victoria staff will be involved in the day.
WHAT?
Travel from Hastings to French Island Marine National Park Learn about key values and threats to Western Port’s Marine National Parks Actively participate in monitoring activities focused on • Seagrass surveys - snorkeling activity • Marine pests – intertidal survey for Pacific Oysters • Shorebirds and seabirds
WHERE?
The focus for the program will be French Island Marine National Park on the northern side of French Island. If weather conditions are unsuitable we will focus instead on Yaringa Marine National Park in Western Port’s north-west corner.
WHAT TO BRING? •
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Appropriate clothing for a day on a boat and in the bay. Bring a change of clothes / shoes for the trip back. o Hot weather - loose, long sleeved top, light pants/shorts, wind jacket, hat and sunscreen (remember it will be cooler on the boat than on land). o Cool weather - warm top and pants, warm jacket, wet weather gear, hat. For seagrass and marine pest surveys o Snorkelling gear including mask, snorkel, and wetsuit o Old shoes / wetsuit boots / reef sandals that can get wet and muddy Please note: Bare feet will not be permitted due to the high risk of injuries. BYO lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, repellent and snacks. Tea/Coffee/Water provided.
COST •
There is no cost for participating in this community event. TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN ATTENDING:
Please register your interest in attending online at www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au by Monday 5th March. (Search in the volunteer section for Marine park management) Once registered, we’ll ask you to provide and a brief indication of your interests in participating. Please note, registration does not confirm participation and preference will be given to those who have not participated in the past.
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For more information on Victoria’s Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries visit www.parks.vic.gov.au
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For more information on the Sea Search community monitoring programs visit http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer/sea-search
What is Two Bays 2019? The Two Bays project utilises Pelican 1, a 62-foot catamaran, to conduct marine research, community engagement activities, and provide opportunities for dialogue and information sharing on key marine environmental themes focussed on Victoria’s two most significant embayments, Port Phillip and Western Port.