John Williamson adds his voice to Coral Sea campaign
enewsletter 11 March 2011
John WilliamsonWe're really happy to announce that Australian music legend John Williamson has come on board as an Ambassador for the Protect our Coral Sea campaign. John believes, “It is easy to forget our natural heritage under the ocean waves. There is more colour among our fish and coral than even the amazing birdlife that we treasure. Let’s do something our grandchildren will be thankful for and preserve the Coral Sea. I am 100% behind it”.
Join John by asking a friend, family member or work colleague to sign our e-petition today. We have over 38,000 supporters now. Let’s try and reach 50,000 by midyear! Act Now
Coral Sea feeding frenzy found
Marine scientists recently found a large school of spawning lanternfish – these unique sea creatures have never been found in Australian waters before. Ocean predators such as whale sharks, tuna and seabirds gorge themselves on these fish in an amazing feeding frenzy during their summer spawning season. Lanternfish are bioluminescent, meaning they glow in the dark. John Paxton from the Museum told ABC News that “This discovery is an encouraging sign for many precious marine creatures of the Coral Sea, particularly tuna which feed on the lantern fish”. New discoveries are frequently made in the Coral Sea where much of the sea bed and water has never been analysed. This iconic area needs protection so that species known and yet to be discovered are safe from the worst impacts of exploitation.
Conservation call swells to 10
Three well known Queensland conservation organisations have recently joined the Protect our Coral Sea alliance which brings our number to an impressive 10 groups. Wildlife Queensland, the National Parks Association of Queensland and the North Queensland Conservation Council have come on board to help make history for the Coral Sea in 2011. Welcome to our newest conservation friends!
Facebook- growing daily!
We now have over 7,500 Facebook fans. Keep up-to-date with our campaign issues, milestones and upcoming events. Join us now! You can ‘like’ us too!
Our Coral Sea: Our Ocean Paradise
Jurgen Freund15 March – 9 April: Sydney
Our Coral Sea: Our Ocean Paradise a 25 piece Coral Sea photo exhibition will bring the beauty of the Coral Sea to people in Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns in 2011. The exhibition kicks off in Sydney at the ArtHouse Hotel on 15 March in The Dome, Level 1, The ArtHouse Hotel, 275 Pitt St, Sydney. Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 11am till late. Entry FREE.
Lucy TrippettThe talented photographers involved have all dived in the Coral Sea for many years and include: Jürgen Freund, Mark Spencer, Xanthe Rivett, Nicola Temple and Lucy Trippett.
15 April – 5 May: Mooloolaba
The Our Coral Sea: Our Ocean Paradise exhibition travels to Underwater World, Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. Opening hours: daily from 9am to 5.00pm, last admissions are 1 hour prior to closing time.
13 May – 5 June: Cairns
The Our Coral Sea: Our Ocean Paradise exhibition then travels north to Cairns were is will be exhibited at Cairns Central Shopping Centre 13-22 May, then on to Smithfield Shopping Centre, 26 – 29 May and then finally at Stockland Cairns 3-5 June.
Upcoming Events- get involved!
12 March: Brisbane
Come along to Green Earth Day: Brisbane
The Protect our Coral Sea crew will be at Green Earth Day to spread the word about the need to protect this iconic marine treasure. Green Earth Day is a free, family orientated, drug and alcohol free, grassroots, community event which aims to stimulate awareness by bringing environmental, green, health and lifestyle, cruelty-free, recycling and sustainable issues into the public eye. The event encourages people to make simple changes in their everyday lives to help our environment and leave the world a better place for generations to enjoy.
Green Earth Day will be held at the Albion Peace Centre 102 McDonald Road, Windsor, from 10am until 6pm. For more information please visit http://greenearthday.net/
11-14 March: Adelaide
Coral Sea rocks WOMADelaide
Protect our Coral Sea is heading south to Adelaide for the WOMADelaide world music festival. If you’re coming along and can spare and hour or 2 to spread the word about the Coral Sea please contact daisybarham@amcs.org.au The more volunteers the merrier!
18 March, 6:30pm - 8:30pm: Adelaide
Free Adelaide film event
You're invited to a not-to-be-missed film screening of Coral Sea Dreaming: Awaken by Emmy award winning cinematographer David Hannan. This FREE film showcases the best that our tropical marine environment has to offer! Daisy Barham from the Australian Marine Conservation Society will also speak on the need to protect the iconic Coral Sea and what you can do to help. Seats are limited so RSVP to Daisy at amcs@amcs.org.au or 1800 066 299 to secure your seat!
Location: Royal Society Room, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide
We would love your help!
We are always looking for volunteers to help spread the word at upcoming events throughout the year and to help out in general.
If you’d like to volunteer, we’d love to hear from you:
• in Cairns contact Steve: marine@cafnec.org.au
• in Townsville contact Gail: president@nqcc.org.au
• in Brisbane contact Daisy: daisybarham@amcs.org.au
• in Sydney contact Beth: beth@protectourcoralsea.org.au
Spread the word!
Help protect the Coral Sea on your own website by inserting our widget. Visitors can sign the Coral Sea petition without leaving your site. You can find our widget right here on our home page. To add this to your site, simply click on the “forward” tab and then the “embed this widget” link to access the required code. Paste this code into your website and the widget will display. It won’t take more than a few minutes!
What have we been up to lately?
Find out here: http://www.protectourcoralsea.
Check out our local news at: http://www.protectourcoralsea.
