COMMUNITY MONITORING AT MUD ISLANDS

Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park

Saturday 28th February 2015

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 2015 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 28th February 2015.

Meet at 8:00am in front of the Parks Victoria Queenscliff Office for an 8:30 departure from Queenscliff Harbour, returning around 4:30pm (see map).

WHO? The program is open to all those with an interest in marine monitoring from across the state. Community volunteers from various Friends Groups, representatives from key partner organisations, and Parks Victoria staff will be involved on the day.
Preference is given to new participants that have not been involved in this program in previous years.

WHAT?
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

Seagrass

Marine pests

Marine debris

Shorebirds and seabirds

Image: Phil Wierzbowski

WHERE? The focus for the program will be Mud Islands section of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park. 

WHAT TO BRING?

• Appropriate clothing for a day on the boat and on Mud Islands. You should wear appropriate footwear / clothes that can get wet to wear for going ashore and for walking around on the islands. Bring a change of clothes for the trip back.
  Note: Bare feet are not acceptable due to the high risk of injury.

• 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).

• Cool weather - warm top and pants, warm jacket, wet weather gear, hat.

  For seagrass and marine pest surveys bring:
  Snorkelling gear including mask, snorkel, and wetsuit (pref.)  Shoes that can get wet

  For marine debris and bird surveys:
  You may be wading through water. Bring shoes/clothes which can get wet.  Binoculars/scope if possible

  BYO lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, repellent and snacks.

  Tea/Coffee/Water provided.

COST? There is no cost for participating in this sponsored community event. 

TO REGISTER OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Please send an email to mark.rodrigue@parks.vic.gov.au providing your name, contact details including a mobile phone number and email address, and a brief indication of your interests in participating. 

• For more information on Victoria’s Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries visit the Parks Vic website

• For more information on the Sea Search community monitoring programs visit our Facebook page  

  WHAT IS TWO BAYS 2015?

  Two Bays 2015 is an integrated community and stakeholder stewardship program focussed on Victoria’s two most significant embayments, Port Phillip and Western Port.

  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.