Community Monitoring at Mud Islands Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park Saturday 24th February 2018 Parks Victoria is delighted to invite you to join us aboard the SV Pelican 1 to participate in a variety of community monitoring activities at Mud Islands, Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park as a part of the Two Bays 2018 program. The day is focussed on encouraging greater community participation in Port Phillip’s marine protected areas and ongoing monitoring for these parks. The activities undertaken form part of the Sea Search Program developed for community monitoring in Victoria’s Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries. Information collected through Sea Search is used to inform management as well as provide meaningful opportunities for community involvement.
WHEN
Saturday 24th February 2018. Meet at 8:00am in front of the Parks Victoria Queenscliff Office for an 8:30 departure from Queenscliff Harbour, returning around 4:30pm
WHO
The program is open to all those with an interest in marine monitoring from across the state. Preference will be given to new participants that have not been involved in this program in previous years. Community volunteers from various Friends Groups, representatives from key partner organisations, and Parks Victoria staff will be involved on the day.
WHAT
• • •
WHERE
Travel from Queenscliff to Mud Islands Learn about key values and threats to this part of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park Actively participate in monitoring activities focussed on o Marine pests o Seagrass o Marine debris o Shorebirds and seabirds
Mud Islands section of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park.
WHAT TO BRING • • • •
•
•
•
• COST
Lunch and water bottle (tea and coffee provided) Hat, sunscreen, repellent Footwear that can get wet and for going ashore and for walking around on the islands. Bare feet are not acceptable due to the high risk of injury. For hot weather (remember it will be cooler on the boat than on land) o loose, long sleeved top o light pants/shorts o wind jacket For cool weather o warm top and pants o warm jacket o wet weather gear For seagrass and marine pest surveys o Snorkelling gear including mask, snorkel, and wetsuit (pref.) o Shoes that can get wet For marine debris and bird surveys o You will be wading through water. Bring shoes/clothes which can get wet. o Binoculars / scope if possible Towel and change of clothes for the trip back.
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 (search Community Monitoring at Mud Island) by Monday 19th February. 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.
•
For more information on Victoria’s Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries visit www.parks.vic.gov.au
•
For more information on the Sea Search community monitoring programs visit http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer/find-opportunities/sea-search
What is Two Bays 2018? 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. In 2018, thee Pelican will also be spending some time in Corner Inlet marine protected areas.