Marine WATERs is an initiative of the Department of Fisheries, WA and Woodside Energy. An inter­ac­tive and fully inte­grated resource that con­nects edu­ca­tors and stu­dents with resources and tools devel­oped specif­i­cally to study West­ern Australia’s unique marine ecosys­tems and address chal­lenges fac­ing the sus­tain­abil­ity of our aquatic resources.

Marine Pests… is a post from: Marine Discovery Centres Australia

Seaweek will be held on 4–10 March 2012 at the Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre.

The Seaweek Educators’ Expo is a fantastic learning and professional development opportunity — you can network with like-minded educators, meet knowledgeable marine and coastal educators, and find out the latest in marine education in Western Australia.

Download the Program and Registration form or email Tanya Porter to register your interest for the 2012 Seaweek Educators’ Expo.

Seaweek Educators’ Expo 2012… is a post from: Marine Discovery Centres Australia

HOLIDAY OPENING TIMES

11am to 3pm

Wednesday to Friday

28 Sept to 14 October

ROCKY SHORE RAMBLE

Come and Discover Our Amazing Coast

Join a marine biologist exploring the amazing diversity of life found on our rock platforms

Any age.  1.5 hrs

Wednesday 28 September 2:30pm

Thursday 29 September 2:30pm

Friday 30 September 2:30pm

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

FISH FEEDING

Wednesday & Fridays 11:30am

September Holiday Program at SCMDC is a post from: Marine Discovery Centres Australia

Kylie Owen observes feeding humpback behaviour

Kylie Owen, the PhD student studying humpback whales in the area has had a very successful start to her research project.  Since starting work on Monday with her colleagues Dave Donnelly and Scott Sheahan, Kylie has managed to secure 8 biopsy samples from feeding humpbacks. She said the whales were being ‘very co-operative’ with one spy-hopping so close this morning that she could see down its throat.

The team are working off the research vessel aptly named “Krillseeker” and were also able to collect a sample of krill — so thick you can’t see through it.  They also have land-based volunteers situated at Ben Boyd Tower, north of Eden,  to look for the humpbacks and then alert Kylie on board the boat.

Land based observation deck

Kylie is using the Eden Marine Laboratory in the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre to process her samples and store her gear.  Later this week she will start using the special ‘Dtag’ to secure to whales for up to 2 hours and collect even more data.

To follow Kylie’s research on Facebook click on this link
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surfah

Humpback Whale researchers have successful start at SCMDC is a post from: Marine Discovery Centres Australia

Dick Smith heard about the Centre whilst at the Hobart Wooden Boat Festival in February. Our skipper Tim Nossiter was at the Festival with the Centre’s RV Penghana. Peter Van Der Woude, the owner of the Clean Lift Marine Complex in Hobart (where Tim slips the Penghana) ‘put in a good word’ about the Centre to Mr Smith.

Read more on the Woodbridge Marine Discovery Centre’s web site.

Woodbridge MDC welcomes generous donation from Dick Smith is a post from: Marine Discovery Centres Australia

Ian is world renowned for his amazing work with Clean Up Australia Day www.cleanup.org.au and Clean Up the World www.cleanuptheworld.org. Whilst in Eden, Ian met with SCMDC staff to discuss establishing a display that focuses on the major issue of plastics in the ocean.

Read more on the Sapphire Coast MDC blog.

Ian Kiernan AO, Patron of Sapphire Coast MDC, visits the centre is a post from: Marine Discovery Centres Australia

Join Rockpool Discovery, Snorkelling Adventure at the Haven, Avoca Lagoon Canoe Tour, Lagoon Detective, Funky Bugs, Underwater Mysteries, Fishing Clinic or Reefwatch Training.

Get more information on the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre web site.

Summer Activities at Central Coast MDC is a post from: Marine Discovery Centres Australia

Try your hand at one (or more!) of nine craft classes, or join Rockpool Ramble, Seagrass Safari, Into the Blue, Canoe Explorers, Canoe Secret Lagoon, Family Fishing, one of a number of snorkelling activities, or the Marine Biology Cruise.

More information is available on the Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre web site.

Summer Activities at Queenscliff MDC is a post from: Marine Discovery Centres Australia

An Abstract Ocean

An underwater photographic exhibition by award-winning photographer Shannon Conway will be presented in the foyer at NMDC from November until the end of January 2011.

When you delve into the marine world, things can take on a different perspective depending on how you look at them. This interactive exhibition will ‘zoom in’ on marine life…sometimes leaving you wondering what you are looking at?

There’s also a competition running — identify the marine creatures that don’t have a label, and enter to win a canvas print from the exhibition, valued at $295.

Read more on the Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre web site.

A Treasure Chest of Tails

The centre has a new Fish Tails activity for kids.

Fish have adapted to live in a wide range of aquatic habitats, and the shape of their tail or ‘caudal’ fin tells us a lot about the fish – for example, forked tails are for speed while rounded tails (with more surface area) provide more manoeuvrability.

Read more on the Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre web site.

School Holiday Activities

NMDC have come up with some special summer activities, designed to get you outdoors and exploring.

Join Beach Flotsam and Jetsam, Reef Explorer, A Year with the Ocean, or Fabulous Flying Fish, all on during January.

More details available on the Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre web site.

What’s on this summer at Naturaliste MDC is a post from: Marine Discovery Centres Australia

The theme will be “Food for Thought” and topics covered will include oysters, sea urchins, sardines and salmon.

Presenters have been lined up and those interested are encourage to keep an eye on the Sapphire Coast MDC web site for more details.

3rd Annual Marine Science Forum at Sapphire Coast MDC is a post from: Marine Discovery Centres Australia