SEALIFE TRUST ANZ STRATEGIC PLAN 2016-2019
Contents
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SEA LIFE Trust
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OUR MISSION
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ABOUT SEA LIFE TRUST
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HOW WE WORK
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OUR STRUCTURE
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OUR PROJECTS
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OUR FOCUS & CONSERVATION GOALS
The ocean covers over 70% of our planet yet we know less about it than we do Mars. We do know that our very own survival is intertwined with our ocean. It creates a climate that is optimal for our existence, it absorbs excess carbon from the atmosphere, and it provides every second breath of air we take. Estuaries, rivers and lakes that feed into our coasts provide critical habitat for many marine species including commercially important fish. They are all key pieces of the puzzle that form our overall aquatic (marine, brackish and freshwater) ecosystems, all of which humans rely on for a range of resources.
However, all is not well in our aquatic environments. Our oceans are warming and sea levels are rising. Our reefs are bleaching and our mangroves are dying at record levels, threatening entire aquatic ecosystems. Not too long from now there will be more plastic in our ocean than fish.1 If fishing continues globally at the level it is at currently, without any intervention, many fisheries will collapse within the next 40 years2. Humans are driving our precious life support system to collapse. We are simply living beyond our means. But there’s time to turn things around.
Through its many collaborative partnerships SEA LIFE Trust aims to inspire stewardship of our aquatic environments to secure their future. We do this by engaging SEA LIFE’s many stakeholders, both visitors and staff alike, to get involved with our projects and make a difference. We are also building a global community of young leaders to influence positive change for the future health of the world’s oceans. Our vision is of a world where our oceans are healthy, properly protected and full of diverse life. 1
The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics. World Economic Forum, Ellen MacArthur Foundation and McKinsey & Comp. 2016
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Impacts of Biodiversity Loss on Ocean Ecosystem Services. Worm, B. et al. Science. Nov 2006.
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ABOUT SEA LIFE TRUST The SEA LIFE Trust Australia/New Zealand is an independent, non-profit Registered Environmental Organisation working locally, regionally, and globally in partnership with the SEA LIFE Trust Global and SEA LIFE aquaria (Merlin Entertainments). Our mission is to drive positive behaviour change to restore and/or conserve important aquatic habitats and protect the amazing wildlife that lives within them. As an independent not-for-profit association, the SEA LIFE Trust is committed to: • “ Thinking globally and acting locally” by raising awareness of the need for worldwide conservation of important habitats, the sustainable use of aquatic resources and facilitating the associated change needed in Australia and New Zealand; •E ngaging SEA LIFE stakeholders (staff, visitors and the wider community) to appreciate aquatic environments through research, education and on ground action to foster stewardship and improve sustainable use; •S upporting and partnering with other organisations that are acting positively towards the environment and work collaboratively towards common goals; •B uilding a global community of young leaders to influence positive change for the future health of the world’s oceans.
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“Our actions over the next 10 years will determine the state of the Sylvia A. Earle ocean for the next 10,000 years.”
Through innovative campaigns, applied research and engaging community based projects we champion plastic-free oceans, sustainable fisheries, and effective aquatic resource management, putting an end to over-exploitation of wildlife and destruction of habitats. We encourage you to join us on our mission to make a positive difference – it starts with you! To find out more about how you can get involved, subscribe to our newsletter where you’ll receive details of upcoming events, field trips and other exciting opportunities to get inspired to build a better tomorrow for our coasts, oceans and us!
Claudette Rechtorik General Manager SEA LIFE Trust Australia/New Zealand
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HOW
WE WORK
Our Core Values – collaborative, respectful, transparent, sustainable, and science-based. Our partnership with SEA LIFE allows us to reach millions of visitors each year, providing them opportunity to:
We deliver our core mission through working in collaborative partnerships with SEA LIFE* (Merlin Entertainments**) as well as other non-profit organisations, schools, government agencies and research institutions across Australia and New Zealand.
• Engage in and learn about our aquatic environments and foster action to help improve habitat health; • Encourage practical and simple changes that they can make that collectively contribute to better outcomes for our aquatic environments; • Support innovative and practical projects that help us to make a measurable difference to the many threatened and endangered aquatic species and habitats. We would not be able to undertake our mission without the generous support of our partners, donors and through grants. Funds raised allow us to support:
Our key audiences are SEA LIFE visitors and staff. By harnessing the reach, power, resource and influence of the SEA LIFE network around the globe, SEALIFE Trust promotes simple, practical actions that staff and visitors can engage in to achieve our goals.
• Other NGOs to deliver projects and campaigns that align to our conservation goals; • Research to aid advancements in our focus areas; • Resources needed to deliver our objectives by supporting our committed team, campaigns and communication activities.
*SEA LIFE Centres are the world’s biggest aquarium chain. There are 41 centres across 14 countries in the UK, Europe, North America and Australasia. They are owned and operated by the UK-based Merlin Entertainments Group, the world’s second largest attractions company which also owns iconic attractions such as Madame Tussauds, Alton Towers, the LEGOLAND parks, the London Dungeon and Gardaland in Italy. **MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 111 attractions, 12 hotels/4 holiday villages in 23 countries across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 63 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and c26,000 employees. Visit www. merlinentertainments.biz for more information.
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STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP & CORPORATE GOVERNANCE SEA LIFE Trust Australia/ New Zealand is an Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) registered organisation with a voluntary Executive Committee that operates in accordance with the ACNC, the independent national regulator of charities. Governance Framework The SLT strategy is governed by an Executive Committee, supported by SEA LIFE Management (Divisional Director and site General Managers) and executed by operational staff with the assistance of SEA LIFE staff where practicable.
SEA LIFE Trust Global
SEA LIFE Trust ANZ SLT ANZ Exec Committee
SEA LIFE ANZ Management
SEA LIFE Trust Australia/New Zealand has Deductible Gift Recipient status. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
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PROJECTS
WE ARE WORKING ON Restoring the Reef Climate change is one of the largest risk factors for the reef, but poor water quality from land based clearing and sedimentation is another. Wetlands store carbon at higher rates than forests on land, helping to tackle global warming to counter coral bleaching. But they also filter sediment and toxins flowing from the Queensland hills into the Great Barrier Reef, thereby improving water quality so new coral can grow. This project takes a hands on, practical approach, aiming to restore coastal wetlands that help improve water quality and protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Operation Crayweed SEA LIFE Trust is an industry partner for Operation Crayweed, a habitat restoration project aiming to bring back Sydney’s underwater forests. Vast underwater forests had gone missing from the Sydney coastline, with repercussions for local fish, ABALONE, CRAYFISH and coastal marine biodiversity. Until University of New South Wales and Sydney Institute of Marine Science researchers found a way to bring the forests back. Together with other industry partners the team were successful in an Australian Research Council grant that will go a long way to restoring this stunning underwater forest.
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Acid Frogs Frogs play an important role in terrestrial and aquatic food webs in our local coastal ecosystems. They are an indicator of ecosystem health. Sadly the majority of frog species are in rapid decline including four species of acid frogs found only in SE QLD and NE NSW. These cute little amphibians are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as alterations to wetland hydrology through ground water extraction and canal modification. Additionally, introduced fish, such as the mosquitofish feed on many native Australian frog eggs and larvae and pose a significant threat to tadpole survival. SEA LIFE Trust has contributed funding to re-establish an Acid frog wetlands habitat south of Caloundra in a new development area known as Aura. Developing healthy habitats now will ensure these incredible frogs do not become threatened or extinct.
Grey Nurse Sharks Wolf Rock, Queensland is the only known gestation site for grey nurse sharks along the east coast of Australia. Pregnant females reside at Wolf Rock for 9 to 12 months before moving southward to pup. There has been a recent surge in interest by dive tourism that has raised concerns that GNS may be disturbed and displaced from this site, the only known and protected gestation site for this population. SEA LIFE Trust has contributed funding to identify the movements of GNS in the area and their key threats to facilitate effective conservation management and develop adequate protocols with the diving industry if needed. The east coast population of GNS is considered Critically Endangered with approximately 1500 individuals thought to remain. At least 50 % of the remaining east coast GNS population currently use Wolf Rock during gestation. Ensuring this critical habitat remains suitably managed will help to ensure their population’s recovery.
SO Manly
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Local communities working with local businesses is where a great deal of positive change can be made. This project aims to support businesses achieve eight SUSTAINABLE ORGANISATIONS OF MANLY key targets with respect to improved environmental outcomes for the Manly precinct. It’s not just fun, it makes sense.
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Case study: Saving Nemo’s Home with Dr. Anna Scott, National Marine Science Centre
The movie ‘Finding Nemo’ catapulted the popularity of anemonefish and their host sea anemones in both domestic and commercial aquaria. While there had been extensive work done on the anemonefish, little was known about the anemones that provide their home, and on which their survival ultimately relies. These sea anemones are over exploited in many areas of the Indo-Pacific due to aquarium collecting pressures. They’re also at risk of increasing sea temperatures as a result of climate change. SEA LIFE Trust funding enabled Anna to expand upon her PhD research of discovering how these anemones sexually reproduce, to develop methods for breeding these anemones in captivity as well as establishing their thermal threshold. Prior to this research, conservation efforts for these species were constrained by the lack of information on key life history characteristics. Anna established reliable cost-effective culture techniques that produce large numbers of juvenile anemones.
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The outcomes from this project are many with have both national and international significance. 1. T he mass culture of host anemones has the potential to supply the aquarium trade with animals bred in captivity, reducing collecting pressures on wild populations, as well as creating a new and ecologically sustainable industry providing employment for coastal communities. 2. The reduction of anemone removals would also reduce the indirect effects on anemonefish populations. 3. Mass culture would also allow the restocking of reefs that have already been impacted by human and natural disturbances.
“Closing the loop on anemone reproduction has been crucial to enable a more sustainable aquarium trade of clownfish and their homes.”
OUR FOCUS 1. I MPROVED AQUATIC HABITAT HEALTH AND INCREASED PROTECTION FOR WILDLIFE
2. REDUCING PLASTIC POLLUTION
3. R EDUCING THE IMPACTS OF OVERFISHING
4. OCEAN YOUTH
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Case study: Turtle tracking project delivers a conservation outcome with Dr. David Harasti, Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Parks Authority
In 2011/12 SEA LIFE Trust worked with Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Parks Authority researchers to tag eight sub-adult turtles in Nelson Bay, NSW. Little was known at the time about turtles found in the area; in fact many people were shocked to find that turtles were not only found in the bay but actually resided for long periods of time. Based on the tagging data we could establish that some of the biggest threats these turtles faced was entanglement in witches hat crab traps, a recreational fishing gear type.
“As a result of this turtle tagging project in conjunction with an extensive community engagement campaign, witches hats are now banned in the bay; and our tagged turtles, who are still seen in the area, have become dive tourist icons.“
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OUR CONSERVATION GOALS 1. I MPROVED AQUATIC HABITAT HEALTH AND INCREASED PROTECTION FOR WILD LIFE Aquatic habitats are under enormous pressure as a result of human impacts. With over 80% of the population living on the coast and using its resources, we are driving many species to the brink of extinction due to loss or degradation of habitat. Restoring degraded habitats and protecting intact habitats are crucial if we are to secure the future of many threatened aquatic species and maintain healthy and sustainable ecosystem function. SEA LIFE Trust is dedicated to advocating for better protection and management of key aquatic habitats as well as supporting on ground aquatic habitat restoration to improve outcomes for threatened and endangered aquatic species where poor or degraded habitat is a key threat to their survival.
Aim By 2018 SEA LIFE Trust will have an annual grant for on ground projects to improve habitat health and increase protection for threatened or endangered aquatic wildlife. Key strategies • Support on ground aquatic habitat restoration projects, with a focus on mangrove, saltmarsh or seagrass (Blue Carbon ecosystems), specifically where habitat loss or degradation is a driver of species decline; • Support applied projects that help to improve management and/or increase protection for priority species, and/or improve habitat health; • Collaborate and partner with aligned organisations to increase conservation of priority aquatic species and sustainable use of resources.
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Case study: Assessing the frequency and severity of plastic ingestion by Australia’s seabirds with Dr. Jennifer Lavers
Despite the implementation of strict international legislation aimed at reducing the amount of marine debris originating from ocean- and land-based sources (e.g., MARPOL Annex V), debris, particularly plastic, continues to accumulate worldwide with an estimated 20 million items entering the ocean each day. In 2012, the United Nations Environment Program listed plastic pollution as a ‘global emerging issue’.
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More than 265 marine species have been reported to become entangled in or ingest plastic debris, presumably mistaking it for food. Plastic debris attracts and accumulates toxins such as heavy metals at more than 1000x ambient seawater concentrations. Once ingested, debris can block or rupture the digestive tract and leach contaminants into the animal’s blood stream resulting in stomach ulcerations, liver damage, infertility, and in many cases, death.
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On our doorstep In Australia, the ingestion of plastic debris by marine vertebrates is listed as one of only a handful of Key Threatening Processes under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. As a group, seabirds are the most heavily affected marine vertebrate with regards to plastics (more than 60% of species are at risk). Not surprisingly, seabirds are declining faster than any other group of birds. On Lord Howe Island, repeated years of low breeding success by Flesh-footed Shearwaters has been implicated in the serious and ongoing decline of this population, likely the result of high mortality due to the ingestion of plastic. SEA LIFE Trust provided funding to enable Jenn to assess the relationship between plastic load, contaminant levels, and mortality of Flesh-footed Shearwaters. This project is one of the longest studies of plastic ingestion in any marine animal, globally. Monitoring the frequency and severity of plastic ingestion by Flesh-footed Shearwaters over many years has provided worrying, but much needed insight into the changes in the condition of the marine environment in Australia.
OUR CONSERVATION GOALS 2. REDUCING PLASTIC POLLUTION IN OUR SEAS We’re filling our seas with plastic. Research published in Science in Feb 2015 showed that between 5 to 12 million tonnes of plastics enter our oceans every year. This is on top of the 100 to 150 million tonnes likely already in the ocean. Left unabated, in the next decade our oceans will hold about one kilogram of plastic for every three kilograms of fish. Estimates show that marine litter is now 60 – 80% plastic, reaching 90 – 95% in some areas. SO Manly (Sustainable Organisations of Manly), a project initiated by Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary staff and funded by SEA LIFE Trust and Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary, is working with small to medium businesses in the Manly precinct to achieve 8 sustainability targets including zero waste, single use plastic free, and improved marine protection. We think there is an appetite amongst businesses to get on board and see this as a collaborative model that can be rolled out to other precincts.
Aim To create 2 x single use plastic free business hubs aimed at reducing the single use plastic footprint and mainstream a culture of reusable bags, bottles and coffee cups for SEA LIFE communities. Key strategies • Engage SEA LIFE visitors and promote actions that foster positive change to reduce the amount of plastic entering the marine environment; • Provide an annual plastic pollution innovation grant for applied projects that result in single use plastic reduction either being produced, or being landfilled (i.e. improved rates of non plastic materials packaging, or improved reuse of plastic materials); • Co-ordinate and participate in an annual global clean up with SEALIFE sites across Australia and New Zealand.
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Case study: What’s the Catch? with Chef Matthew Evans
In 2015, our focus on raising awareness of the importance of sustainable seafood led to a partnership with SBS on the three part TV series ‘What’s the Catch?’ featuring high profile chef Matthew Evans. SEA LIFE Trust ANZ was chosen as the preferred conservation partner to develop and promote the educational resources to compliment the program. Teacher resources were developed and made available online. Posters to promote the program and the online resources were printed and distributed to all high schools in Australia.
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SBS analytics showed that there was good uptake of the resources with 7,000 site visits in the first month. And we’re pleased to say that when we were asked to present to a school two hours from Sydney (on a different subject), they were displaying the posters!
OUR CONSERVATION GOALS 3. REDUCING THE IMPACTS OF OVERFISHING Globally, we’re removing fish from our oceans at an unsustainable rate. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) over 1/3 of global fish stocks are now considered overfished with the remainder fully exploited3. These figures do not take into account recreational or illegal and unreported fishing which could push overexploitation rates up to 10-fold higher than reported4. This overfishing occurs due to: • poor fisheries management • illegal fishing • destructive fishing practices • bycatch (capture of non-target species) At the same time, fish protein forms an important part of people’s diets from a nutritional perspective globally, with about 1 billion people dependent upon it as their main source of animal protein. Fish are crucial to food security and poverty alleviation; particularly from those countries we import 70% of our seafood from in Australia.
We know very little about the fishing methods and sustainability of imported seafood. Supporting Australian and New Zealand caught seafood can go a long way to helping our oceans. However, although Australian and New Zealand fisheries are relatively well managed compared to the rest of the world, there are still improvements to be made. SEA LIFE Trust will work with and promote organisations that are working towards fisheries management improvements and sustainable fisheries certification. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit organisation established to address the problem of unsustainable fishing and safeguard seafood supplies for the future. The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) aims to be the world’s leading certification and labelling program for responsibly farmed seafood. ASC’s primary role is to manage the global standards for responsible aquaculture.
Aim SEA LIFE Trust will develop an annual sustainable fisheries improvement or sustainable seafood grant to drive measurable improvements around sustainable seafood production, sourcing or consumption. Key activities • Drive awareness around seafood consumption by providing sustainable seafood information and raising awareness of the MSC/ASC logo to SEA LIFE visitors through our communications platforms; • Support and deliver projects that help strengthen fisheries management or reduce destructive fishing practices, illegal fishing, or rates of bycatch in Australia and New Zealand; • Support and contribute to practical projects that help to reduce the impacts of fishing on threatened and endangered species.
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The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture Report. Food and Agriculture Organisation. 2016. atch reconstructions reveal that global marine fisheries catches are higher than reported and declining. C Pauly, D., and Zeller, D. Nature Communications, 2016.
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OUR CONSERVATION GOALS 4. OCEAN YOUTH “Engaging young people (12 - 25) achieves the greatest conservation impact as they tend to be the most interested and willing to act, with high potential to influence others.” From America, the Ocean, and Climate Change: New Research Insights for Conservation, Awareness and Action by The Ocean Project SEA LIFE Trust ANZ is in the midst of building a global community of young leaders to influence positive change for the future health of the world’s oceans. Piloted in 2015 with 27 young people, Ocean Youth has proven to be a successful leadership and empowerment program. SLT’s conservation goals are incorporated into the learning outcomes of the program to ensure the program aligns with SEA LIFE Trust’s overarching objectives and enabling us to be more effective with less.
Young people are the leaders of the future. We need to equip them with the tools and information they need to conserve, protect and manage for tomorrow. Aim By 2018 we will engage 200 teens in the Ocean Youth program across Australia and New Zealand, to build leadership capability, increase sustainability awareness, and drive positive behaviour change to help us reach our conservation goals. Key activities • Provide a range of leadership, vocational and nature-based opportunities that build leadership capacity and influence positive behaviour change across Australia and New Zealand. • Develop a recognised accreditation program for Ocean Youth program participants both on and offline.
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Claudette Rechtorik SEA LIFE Trust Aust/NZ Ph:+61 401 549 369 E: claudette.rechtorik@merlinentertainments.com.au W: www.sealifetrust.org.au W: www.oceanyouth.org