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.