Two Bays 2020

TWO BAYS 2006-2020 Connecting waterways and people

Port Phillip and Western Port Bays, part of the amazing South-East Marine Region, support a range of highly important ecosystems and habitats with a great diversity of animals and plants, including many species that are only found here. The Bays provide a multitude of environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits to Victorians and visitors.

The bays are an important part of the cultural heritage for the Kulin people and continue to be the focus for a wide range of cultural activities and endeavours.

The future health of our two bays depends on the way in which we use, manage and care for our catchments. Climate change is already affecting the Southern Ocean and poses many new risks to this unique marine environment. In the time we have been running this program, plastics and marine debris have become a major issue for the health of both Bays (and worldwide).

Two Bays has annually provided a unique opportunity for bay managers, stakeholders, students and educators to build knowledge, engage coastal communities, form partnerships to better understand and protect bay values - and highlight our links with bay health. The program is designed to develop deeper crosscollaboration and knowledge sharing. Two Bays has a unique curriculum based on the science and traditional knowledge of both bays.

WHAT: The Two Bays project utilises Pelican 1, a 62 foot catamaran, to conduct marine research, marine education, community engagement activities, and provide opportunities for dialogue and information sharing on key bay environmental themes.

Now in its 15th year, the Two Bays project seeks to build on the outcomes achieved in previous programs.

Specifically the Two Bays 2020 project will undertake: • A marine science education program, involving an eco-acoustic focus investigating the bays rich and diverse marine habitats, marine protected areas, climate change, water quality and bay health.

• Ongoing research into water quality and micro plastics threats. Plankton sampling.

• Arts/Science community workshops/events in Port Phillip and Western Port Bays.

WHERE: This project will occur in Port Phillip and Western Port Bays. Destinations planned include Beaumaris, St Kilda, Williamstown, Mt Martha, Queenscliff, Hastings, French Island, Mud Islands and Geelong.

WHEN: The project will take place over Mid February/ Mid March 2020

HOW: The Two Bays 2020 Program will schedule a range of activities designed to: •

Improve understanding of the bays' natural and cultural values, and the threats to these values posed by poor water quality and climate change

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Engage local communities and schools in Ocean Literacy, collecting baseline data about the local marine biodiversity and water quality through citizen science.

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Involve agencies, local government, and communities in exploring and developing solutions to issues impacting bay health

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Promote awareness of bay initiatives in local, social and state-wide media.

WHO: Saltwater Projects initially developed Two Bays with Parks Victoria and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The two agencies have played a substantial role in the project.

Two Bays 2020 partners include: Nautilus Educational, Catholic Education Office, Parks Victoria, EPA, Port Phillip Ecocentre, Boonwurrung Foundation, Sustainability Victoria, DWELP, Western Port Biosphere, Living Earth and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency.

Key project partners for Two Bays 2020 include our diverse bay communities, Marg O’Toole, Listening Earth and coastal/marine community organisations.

We thank Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) for their much-appreciated support over the last six years.

Opportunities for Project Partners: Two Bays 2020 will provide Project Partners with opportunities to •

Undertake marine research and community engagement programs focussed around bay water quality, Ocean Literacy, climate change and marine protected areas.

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Focus community attention on the high natural and cultural values of the bays including Indigenous values and bay Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries.

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Promote awareness of threats to the health of the bays while working with community members and partner organisations to examine solutions.

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Promote the importance of water quality improvement plans to future bay health.

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Marine education / Arts/Cultural connections to the Bays

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Partners in the program can bring their own vision and design a day at sea!

Who are Saltwater Projects?

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Saltwater Projects is a not-for-profit that collaborates with marine research bodies, indigenous communities, schools, private enterprise and government to provide a range of inspirational projects engaging with the marine world.

Programs provide an integrated approach to marine science, community involvement, education and industry training. Our work is mainly on the water and we are able to utilise Pelican1- a 62 foot catamaran, purpose-built for our programs. The directors of Saltwater Projects are Natalie Davey, Garry McKechnie and Nick Kelly.

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Saltwater Projects believe that effective public education and awareness are important tools to help protect and preserve our marine and coastal environment.

Website https://pelican-expeditions.squarespace.com

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Our patron is Andrew Denton.

For more information on Two Bays 2020 contact:

Natalie Davey: Two Bays Project Coordinator Mobile: 0425 718423 Email: saltwaterproj@optusnet.com.au

Photo: Arweet Carolyn Briggs with young Koori students on board for Two Bays 2013

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Our Two Bays are unique living environments – a healthy future depends on us all working together now.