Positive Change for Marine Life in Byron Bay, New South Wales | Non-profit organisation

Positive Change for Marine Life

Locality: Byron Bay, New South Wales

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• Non-profit organisation
• Charitable organisation
• Community organisation
• Environmental conservation organisation

25.01.2022 Our hearts go out to our staff, the community that we work with and their families and friends who are currently under a military enforced lockdown in southern Kerala. With cases growing daily, some of the fishing villages just north of our target community in Vizhinjam have been found to be COVID-19 hotspots. Living in dire poverty with very limited to no services available, these regions are highly susceptible to the virus and we are thankful that the government is respondi...ng very well so far in Kerala to stop the spread. On a positive note, Krishna Ks has been working hard on our projects behind the scenes, making the most of the lockdown and limited access to the community to prepare for when things go back to semi-normality. Our signboards and posters are ready to go out to all of the vendors and local street stalls across the region! As part of our #PlasticFreefortheSea initiative, we are working with businesses across the region to transition to sustainable products and, based on our survey data, have estimated that the transition will eliminate at least 150,000 pieces of plastic and polystyrene from entering the ocean every month! A huge thank you to Australian Ethical Super, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Ubuntu Foundation for supporting our work in India!

24.01.2022 Today is #Worldturtleday! Learn why turtles and other sea animals need our help and what we can do to protect them.

23.01.2022 Polystyrene is the worst form of plastic pollution we encounter. In our recent pilot River Warriors surveys on the Brunswick River - it made up a staggering 17% of ALL debris that we collected. It breaks down quickly into smaller pieces, which often float for a very long time before becoming encrusted and sinking. These characteristics mean polystyrene is often mistaken as food by land, marine and bird life. When eaten, foamed polystyrene has been demonstrated in experimental... conditions to reduce fertility, and negatively impact development and growth even for invertebrates at the bottom of the food chain. Like other plastics, it also occupies space in animals' stomachs that should be available for food, sometimes creating a false feeling of fullness or causing a physical blockage that can lead to internal damage. As far back as the 1900’s, polystyrene has been shown to be a concern for human and environmental health. And, needless to say - in the vast majority of applications it is entirely unnecessary. Help fight the rising tide of plastic pollution. Remember to bring your own take away containers and cutlery, purchase without packing and say no to single-use plastic. When you are out and about, leave no trace, or better yet - join us in our efforts to raise awareness and make a positive impact for all life. Photo created by jcomp / www.facebook.com/crazystocker

23.01.2022 The platypus: deceptive preparation by artificial means? Absolutely not, although these were the words used by zoologist George Shaw when writing the first recorded scientific description of the platypus, published in 1799. Probably quite unsurprising though, given how fascinating these creatures are!... Native to Australias east coast, right down to Tasmania, they are certainly one of natures most curious inhabitants. A testimony to the incredible diversity in nature, these amazing animals have no stomach (their gut connects directly to their intestines, and they do not dissolve their food with acid), and even though they are mammals - they lay eggs! Male platypus even have venomous spurs on their hind legs! They belong to the monotremes, a clade or genetic family of animals that diverged before other modern groups of mammals evolved - and thus can be seen to possess many of these typically reptilian characteristics. Our River Warriors program helps protect animals like these. RW works with schools, universities, local businesses, residents and community groups through hands-on programs, which connect them to their waterways, fostering a sense of stewardship around the environmental, social and economic importance of these vital natural places. Find out more: www.pcfml.org.au/initiatives/river-warriors

22.01.2022 We are over the moon to have been selected as a winner of Australian Ethicals 2020 Community Grants program for the 2nd time! Rivers and estuaries are the lifeblood of the ocean. This project will expand upon our existing River Warriors project on the Brunswick River, bringing together a broad range of stakeholders working collaboratively to Bring Back the Bruns! An enormous thank you to Australian Ethical Super for making this happen and for continuing to believe in our wor...k in Australia and in India. Were excited to launch this new project in October. Stay tuned! 1% for the Planet #RiverWarriors

22.01.2022 JOB OPPORTUNITY! We are seeking a Fundraising Manager to lead and manage our corporate, major donor, individual giving, peer to peer and grant-based fundraising efforts across Australia and India. Apply now! ... www.pcfml.org.au/join-us See more

22.01.2022 Our local Waste Management & Community Outreach Officer Krishna has recently finished building our trial shredding machines! These machines will help our team and the community break down hundreds of thousands of plastic items that we collect in our weekly waste collections and turn them into our home Composting and Aquaponic systems, taking pressure off the ocean and improving community health! A huge thanks to our partners Australian Ethical Super, Ubuntu Foundation and Co...lumbus Zoo and Aquarium. #WastetoWealth #GlobalPrograms #India #MarineDebris #WasteFreeSea

22.01.2022 Meet our new Development Manager Amy. Amy has been fascinated by the ocean for as long as she can remember. Moving from South Australia to London in early adulthood, Amy gained her business development experience in sports, the arts and professional services until she could no longer ignore her planetary responsibility and found a way to contribute to environmental protection efforts.... Amy quit the corporate world to undertake an internship with an organisation working to protect the natural environment, as well as the people and wildlife that depend on it. A life-changing experience, she has never looked back and has since worked to fund a range of environment and wildlife protection programs in Australia, Asia, and Africa. Having travelled extensively, Amy recently returned to Australia with a young family and settled on Queenslands beautiful Sunshine Coast. She now lives alongside the big blue sea that continues to fascinate her and looks forward to protecting it in her role with PCFML. Were so excited to have Amy on board and see where her work can take us in 2020 and beyond!

21.01.2022 India’s production and waste of plastics will blow your mind. As consumers, how do we play our part in reducing plastic usage and restoring our oceans? Plastic is everywhere - and affects us all. As the second-most populated country in the world, India is a leader in plastic production, usage and pollution. In 1957 they began producing polystyrene, which marked the beginning of their journey towards becoming one of the world’s highest producers of virgin plastics. ... The export annual value of plastic and linoleum from India currently stands at a colossal AUD$10.7 billion, with the industry employing around 4 million people and comprising 30,000 processing units across the country. Whilst the amount of plastic that India produces is overwhelming, possibly the most frightening figure is that of plastic waste per year in the country - estimated to be 3,360,043 tonnes!. So, what's the issue and what are we doing to help? Find out in our blog. bit.ly/3euhLU5

21.01.2022 This photo of our CEO Karl Goodsell and Saiga San, was taken seven years ago today in Japan. Saiga was the catalyst for our projects in Australia and abroad. Without him, Positive Change for Marine Life may have not existed. His insights into fisheries and the captive trade in Japan were invaluable, as were his connections to people that we otherwise would never have had access to. ... People like Saiga are the local champions needed to create change around the world. They understand local challenges within their cultural context and have knowledge and insights that are the key to creating long-term positive change for the ocean and the communities that rely on them. Saiga san comes from the "old" Japan, with perspectives, traditions and values that are sadly being lost in modern times, yet offer us so much as a society thats seemingly losing connection to what matters. We plan to get back there one day to capture some of Saigas insights on film and keep his incredible stories alive.

21.01.2022 World Oceans Day 2020 #worldoceansday

20.01.2022 Did you know that were a 1% for the Planet Partner? That means were part of a trusted network of nongovernmental organisations and business partners. 1% for the Planet ensures members environmental giving is credible and respected, and that donations make the most impact possible. How it works - Individual members can donate 1% of their salary, and business members commit to giving 1% of gross sales each year to approved nonprofit partners - like us!... Collectively, members have given hundreds of millions of dollars to environmental nonprofits around the world. We are proud to be a nonprofit partner in this network, and are incredibly excited for the opportunity to connect to businesses we might otherwise not have reached. Through 1% for the Planet, individuals and businesses can make a sustainable and tangible commitment to support and drive positive grassroots level impacts on environmental issues that affect each and every one of us. #1percentfortheplanet

19.01.2022 Meet Greshma, our Intern in India. Greshma is a native of Kerala who is passionate about environmental peace building and sustainability. Since her teenage years, she has engaged with peace building initiatives to promote social and cultural harmony among youth. She completed her MA in International Peace Studies from the United Nations University for Peace Costa Rica in 2019. She then completed an internship at the Earth Charter International Secretariat, with the experien...ce motivating her to engage more in sustainable development activities. She came back to India after her graduation and conducted various workshops for students to make them aware of the climate change crisis, encouraging them to take action. Greshma believes that a liveable planet is dependant upon humans reconnecting with nature and regenerating our global ecosystems. She loves the ocean, its peacefulness and its diversity of life, but is worried about the current situation that threatens marine life and the beauty of the sea. The coastal community of Kerala needs to be better equipped with sustainable fishing practices and responsible tourism to preserve marine ecosystems. This is why she joined PCFML and is excited to involve the local community to protect the ocean and create alternative livelihoods focused on a conservation over exploitation approach. See more

18.01.2022 Volunteer spotlight: Christelle, Gold Coast Coordinator "What makes me volunteer is the idea that by educating and engaging with communities and school kids, it makes enough of an impact on at least one person to decide they want to change their habits to better the environment. I love PCFMLs dedication and focus on grass roots movements to create positive change, giving those from the community a voice to take charge and make a positive impact on the environment they live ...in." Christelle has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Marine Science and a graduate certificate in Social Change and Development. Thank you so much, Christelle! National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the ongoing hard work of all volunteers across Australia. #waveforvolunteers #nvw2020 Volunteering Australia #oceanwarrior

18.01.2022 Contrary to its name, this beauty isnt actually a whale but rather the biggest fish in the world. A whale shark can grow up to 12 metres long and gracefully cruises along at a little under 5km an hour - a leisurely pace for such a large creature! Just like humans have fingerprints, each whale shark has a unique pattern of dots on its sides. As well as being perfect camouflage protection from predators, these distinctive markings help researchers identify and track the anim...als to learn about and protect them. Incredible! Although its mouth stretches to over 1 metre wide, this gentle giant prefers to feast on plankton, shrimp and little fish, scooping them up effortlessly and using its gill rakers as a suction filter. Unfortunately, whale sharks are at high risk from plastic pollution. Because of their mouth size and feeding pattern, they can swallow THOUSANDS of pieces of plastic every day in contaminated waters. Its crucial for us all to do everything we can to take action and address marine debris and pollution, which is having a devastating impact on marine ecosystems. Please support our work in any way you can. Thank you! #whaleshark #marineconservation

17.01.2022 We are all so proud of our team in India who were recently on the front page of the New Indian Express across the country! Well done to Krishna, the team and the incredible women who are leading our local projects. A good news story during an incredibly challenging time in the country and nice to see our work being recognised and hopefully inspiring other communities to take action You can read the full article online here: https://www.newindianexpress.com//be-apositive-change-2209

15.01.2022 We've successfully launched our River Warriors Pilot Project in the Tweed! We collected more than 80kg of trash and debris over little more than 1km from the Terranora Creek. Stay tuned for future updates! Tweed Shire Council

14.01.2022 Brunswick River Engagement Survey update! Last month we completed our fourth and final river warriors survey for our pilot Public Engagement Survey project on the Brunswick River! This has been an incredibly exciting way to engage so many of our passionate and interested stakeholders and project partners. This is just the beginning of our work on the Brunswick River, and we cant wait for the next phases, which will see us embarking on an ecosystem approach to tackling these... issues - diving deeper in the various issues that affect these waterways. Together, we can help ensure our waterways remain healthy and continue to play their critical role in the complex web of ecosystems that support life as we know it. These waterways are truly the lifeblood of our oceans, making them all the more important and valuable to us. A huge thank you to our major sponsors for this project - Patagonia and Byron Shire Council, as well as local partners and sponsors Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks, Byron Bay Brewery, Southern Cross Credit Union and Happy Travels. Find out more about our River Warriors project - https://pcfml.org.au/initiatives/river-warriors #riverwarriors

14.01.2022 Campaign rebrand! Over the past few months, our team has been identifying the biggest challenge when it comes to waste, littering and marine pollution. Weve agreed that in order to tackle the problem at its source, major companies need to be targeted and source-reduction programs implemented to develop long-term solutions, which dont fall onto the consumer. Thats why weve rebranded our Dont Be A Sucker initiative to Leave No Trace. We believe that this new campaign n...ame encapsulates our vision for corporates, small businesses and consumers alike, going well beyond the past iteration of the program, which was focused on bars and restaurants. Were excited to launch Leave No Trace and look forward to seeing where the project takes us in the coming months. Stay tuned! You can find out more about this project on our website - https://pcfml.org.au/initiatives/leave-no-trace #LeaveNoTrace

14.01.2022 Today is International Youth Day! This years theme is Youth Engagement for Global Action. Over the years, were honoured to have engaged thousands of youth in our projects across Australia, the Seychelles, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and India! As future decision-makers and leaders, the health of our ocean hinges on their decisions, values and actions. In line with #InternationalYouthDay, last week we teamed up with Cleanwater Group to host a 70-minute presentation to the ye...ar 9s at Maleny High School on plastics, source-based marine debris prevention and the cradle to grave impacts of products that we use on a daily basis. Cleanwater also highlighted their stormwater litter mapping projects across the Sunshine Coast and we spoke about our Waste to Wealth projects in India and our more local River Warriors projects. We were inspired to see the knowledge, passion and drive that the year 9s had for the topics that we were presenting on and hope that to engage them further in our projects and in becoming stewards for their local environment. A huge thanks to Shay and Cleanwater Group, Sunshine Coast Council and Maleny State High School. Happy International Youth Day! #nextgenchange

14.01.2022 A huge haul yesterday during our last survey for Phase I of the Brunswick River River project! Thanks to our (relatively) new Northern NSW Coordinator Dane for leading the charge, to Patagonia, Byron Bay Brewery, Southern Cross Credit Union, Byron Shire Council, Justine Elliot MP, Happy Travels and Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks! Results coming soon, stay tuned!

13.01.2022 PLEASE VOTE FOR US! We are incredibly proud and grateful to have been shortlisted for a 2020 Southern Cross Credit Union Community Grant! Support from SCCU and the local community will boost our River Warriors Project on the Brunswick River enabling us to build a better understanding of the many issues affecting the river and to drive collaboration between all stakeholders working to improve the health of the Bruns.... But, we need your help. Southern Cross Credit Union need to see that the community supports this project so please show them you do by voting for us here https://bit.ly/3nX74xu

13.01.2022 Celebrating Whale Sharks! World Whale Shark Day has just passed us! These incredible creatures are filter feeders, straining vast quantities of water to eat mostly small shrimp, krill and plankton. They are a truly global species, migrating thousands of miles to different feeding grounds. They are still shrouded in mystery, with very little known about their reproductive biology. Baby whale sharks are almost unheard of, and females have never been observed giving birth. Furth...ermore, they are known to regularly dive to massive depths (beyond 2000 meters!). Unfortunately, they are also classified as endangered - due to a range of human impacts, most notably through entanglement in nets and deliberate fishing for their fins and gill rakers. As filter feeders - plastic pollution also poses a significant threat. This highlights the important work that is being done to tackle plastic pollution and marine debris! Photo by the incredible Jeremy Bishop @bluumind

13.01.2022 Were looking for a Fundraising Manager to lead and manage our corporate, major donor, individual giving, peer to peer and grant-based fundraising efforts across Australia and India! This is a senior role within PCFML and were excited to find the perfect candidate. Could it be you? Apply now! www.pcfml.org.au/join-us ... Applications close July 27.

12.01.2022 Were back - and we need YOU! We are SO EXCITED to announce that we are emerging from COVID hibernation! Unfortunately, we havent been able to run any of our public-facing activities due to social-distancing. As restrictions are easing we are looking forward to running regular beach cleanups, and river surveys, and continuing our fight for the environment! ... We know this isnt the end of COVID-19, and we will continue to abide by all necessary health measures. We are currently recruiting volunteers to join us as Honour the Ocean Coordinators, and River Warriors Project Officers. If you are interested in joining our awesome volunteer team - please drop us a message - we cant wait to get back out there! Thank you for your patience! See more

12.01.2022 India Conservation Centre update Were continuing to work on as many projects as we can during the pandemic, including our pilot decentralised Composting and Aquaponic (CAP) systems, plastic collection and segregation. Were making great progress - update below! - Almost all the work has been finished on building the shredding and extrusion machines. All thats left to do is painting, electrical and sanding! ... - Before we start to shred or extrude, its been essential to segregate the waste into different categories such as HDPE, PET, and PP. This is an important part of the process because plastics have different melting points. The team has sorted through over half the waste collected from the community, businesses and two schools. - Over the past one and a half years weve collected a colossal amount of rubbish as part of our Plastic-free for the Sea project, including thousands of spoons, straws and food wrappers. The products were full of sand so Krishna Ks has been cleaning each item to ensure theyre safe for the shredding blade and extrusion machine. - Signage for vendors, promoting the new eco-friendly alternative single-use products, are now printed and in use! Thank you to everyone involved that makes our work in India possible! #plasticfreejuly

12.01.2022 A whale sleeping peacefully, who is also half-awake... This photograph, showing a humpback whale and her baby sleeping in a vertical position, just won the prestigious HIPA - Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award. Brisbane photographer, Jasmine Carey, took the photo off the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific in July. ... Jasmine observed that the mother was having a 17 to 20 minute nap, resting with her breath held. The calf [would surface] every three to four minutes." Wally Franklin, of Southern Cross University, has been studying humpback whale behaviour for 30 years and explains that whales are "literally able to close down one side of their brain and sleep [while] the other side stands watch. Unlike we humans, both side of the neocortex are connected in the brain of humpback whales and they are literally able to close down one side of their brain and sleep and the other one stands watch. Congratulations to Jasmine for capturing this incredible shot. (Instagram: @pxlexplorer) Protecting animals like these is one of the many reasons we do what we do. See how you can help www.pcfml.org.au #oceanphotography

12.01.2022 We’re seeking passionate and motivated volunteers to join our Honour The Ocean campaign - helping us run beach clean up surveys, projects and events in Byron Bay! The role will involve participating in regular clean up surveys on Byron Bay's Main Beach - collecting, sorting and recording marine debris to better understand the various factors impacting pollution in our ocean - and informing and developing our projects aimed at addressing these issues on the land! Help us to make a difference! To apply for the Honour The Ocean Coordinator role, see the full description on our website at www.pcfml.org.au/join-us

11.01.2022 We are incredibly excited to announce we have been shortlisted for a 2020 Australian Ethical Community Grant! This grant will enable us to implement an exciting new ecological approach to our River Warriors Project on Brunswick River! It will help to build a better understanding of many the issues affecting the river through comprehensive mapping and drive collaboration between all stakeholders and organisations working on the health of the River. Help our Oceans, Rivers, and all the life that depends on it by voting for us here: https://bit.ly/3izDLhX Thank you!

10.01.2022 Were on the look out for River Warriors! Were seeking three passionate and motivated volunteers to help us with our River Warriors Surveys on the Brunswick River in northern NSW! The role will involve participating in regular kayak surveys on the River, collecting marine debris and a range of ecological data on bank erosion, riparian vegetation coverage and water quality indices to better understand the health and function of this beautiful river! ... Help us to make a difference in improving the health of this critically important waterway! To apply for the River Warriors Project Officer role, visit https://pcfml.org.au/join-us #riverwarriors

08.01.2022 Meet the team! Dane, Northern NSW Coordinator Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, Dane was immersed in nature from an early age with countless family hikes, camping trips with friends and ocean activities. He followed this passion into academia, completing a BSc in Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences, an Honours in Zoology & Ecology, and graduating with an MSc in Conservation Biology. After an initial stint in the research & consultancy arena, he moved on to spend sev...eral years as the Ecology Manager on Frgate Island, a small private island in the Seychelles. There, he was fortunate to oversee and implement projects ranging from monitoring and protection of rare birds, invertebrates and sea turtles to wide-scale habitat restoration as well as oversight of significant estate and agriculture operations. After some time travelling through New Zealand, Australasia and Indonesia, Danes next role found him as the Managing Director of a large, volunteer-driven project in Fiji. Here he oversaw a range of projects from marine conservation, community health, education, and sustainable development initiatives. He also served on the executive committee of the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area Network and gained additional experience in driving significant projects in partnership with government, NGOs and community partners. Thereafter he relocated to Australia, where he was fortunate to discover a continent abound with natural beauty and diversity much like his home. He is incredibly excited to bring his past experience and skills to such a meaningful cause, and working alongside such the passionate, driven and dynamic team that is Positive Change for Marine Life. #oceanwarrior #marineconservation

07.01.2022 LAST CHANCE TO VOTE AND HELP US WIN! With your support, we could receive a share in $60,000 worth of Grants from Southern Cross Credit Union. We are incredibly proud and grateful to have been shortlisted - please help us win by donating less than a minute of your time to vote - https://bit.ly/3nX74xu.... These funds could boost our River Warriors Project on the Brunswick River, enabling us to build a better understanding of the many issues affecting the river and to drive collaboration between all stakeholders working to improve the health of the Bruns. Thank you!

07.01.2022 Every minute, more than ONE MILLION plastic water bottles are purchased globally. Did you know that in our River Warrior Surveys on the Brunswick River, plastic bottles are the most commonly found large items? Help turn the tide on plastic pollution - and please remember to always carry a reusable water bottle!... #saynotoplastic

06.01.2022 A beautiful morning to recommence our first River Warriors survey on the Brunswick River since COVID-19! An enormous thanks to Patagonia, Southern Cross Credit Union, Byron Bay Brewery, Happy Travels, Byron Shire Council and Justine Elliot MP for supporting this project as well as Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks for partnering with us to Bring Back the Bruns!

06.01.2022 India Conservation Centre Update COVID-19 has had an impact on the way we operate, especially in India where we have temporarily suspended our waste collection and recycling services in the fishing communities in which we work, as well as closed down our Marine Conservation Centre to the public. Despite this, our Waste and Community Outreach Coordinator, Krishna, has been practicing good social distancing and continuing to work to build our shredding and extrusion machines f...or our Composting and Aquaponic (CAP) systems. Hes made some great progress putting our motors and blades together, refining CAP designs and getting plastic waste from the community ready to shred and extrude to make into plastic beams. A huge thanks to the Ubuntu Foundation, Australian Ethical Super and Colombus Zoo and Aquarium for supporting our vital work in India. Were looking forward to getting back out into the community when its safe to do so! #pcfmlglobalprogram #marineconservationindia

05.01.2022 Take action for our ocean with a tax-deductible donation! Providing more than 70% of the oxygen we breathe, absorbing almost 30% of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and being home to 97% of water on earth, the ocean is our lifeblood and we believe that its our duty to protect it. Your contribution ensures that we can continue to run and expand our initiatives, challenges, global programs, education workshops and events - raising awareness and creating change on an internati...onal scale. We have achieved incredible things already with the help of supporters like you. Please continue to help make our work possible by making a tax-deductible donation before EOFY. No donation is too small or too large and with supporter options from $2, everyone can afford to assist the ocean and the communities who rely on it for survival. https://pcfml.org.au/donate Thank you SO much for helping us to conserve our oceans. Your contribution really does make an enormous difference! #everylittlehelps

04.01.2022 Over 7,000 plastic spoons and straws collected from only 50m of beach! As part of our Leave No Trace project in India, our Waste and Community Outreach Coordinator Krishna has been counting spoon, straw and polystyrene container litter that weve collected from a small 50m transect of beach near to the food vendors that we are working with. To date, Krishna and the team have collected 5,499 plastic spoons and over 1900 plastic straws from just one weekly survey of this area ...over the past 12 months! All of these items will be heated and used to build our CAP systems and provide a source of food and income for marginalised women in the fishing community. Our Areca leaf products will remove an estimated 1 million+ pieces of plastic from entering the ocean every year! Find out more about Leave No Trace - https://pcfml.org.au/initiatives/leave-no-trace

04.01.2022 River Warriors Bruns - Phase I Complete! Weve just released the findings from Phase I of our River Warriors program on the Brunswick River in northern New South Wales! Our Report and Report Card highlighted our surveys over the past 11 months, in which 54 volunteers collected 5,621 items, weighing in at 762kg over just 5.7km of the river! The Bruns scored an F+ on our report card, reflecting an extremely high number of pieces found per km travelled, multiple unmitigated sour...ces of debris, as well as a high proportion of plastics and polystyrene. While local residents and Council may feel bad about this result, it highlights the enormous issues that litter and waste have on our rivers, estuaries, ocean and marine life and serves as a great baseline for improvement. Well be kicking off Phase II of the project in the coming weeks to move towards an A rating, as well as to look at other factors influencing ecosystem health in the Brunswick River. An enormous thank you to Patagonia for funding this project through their Environmental Grants Program, as well as to our local partners and sponsors Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks, Byron Bay Brewery, Southern Cross Credit Union, Happy Travels and Byron Shire Council. Bruns River aerial photo credit: @Daniel Jurin #conservation #brunswickheads

04.01.2022 Sentinals of waterway health, frogs play a key role in ecosystems. Frogs are both predator and prey in food webs. They feed on a range of things, including algae in waterways, mosquito larvae and other invertebrates. Theyre also a source of food for a huge number of birds, reptiles and other species. These amazing amphibians have been on earth for a mindblowing 190 million years (and maybe even longer - molecular clock dating suggests their origins may extend further back to... 265 million years ago!). HOWEVER - tough as they are, frogs are also extremely vulnerable to changes in their environment. These creatures breathe through their permeable skin, and are therefore extremely sensitive to pollutants in water. Help protect frogs and other fauna by ensuring you keep your local environment and waterways clean! Our River Warriors campaign aims to do just that. After collecting over 1 tonne of trash from our inaugural program on the Brunswick River back in 2017, we decided to pursue ongoing pollution monitoring projects in waterways that were known to accumulate huge amounts of rubbish, with little being done to address the problem. River Warriors now works with schools, universities, local businesses, government, residents and community groups through hands-on programs, which connect them to their waterways, fostering a sense of stewardship around the environmental, social and economic importance of these vital natural places. We produce signature Marine Debris reports and Report Cards, which rate waterways between A (best) and F (worst) based on key variables. Our reports also highlight management solutions to address the issue at its source! Find out how you can help: https://pcfml.org.au/initiatives/river-warriors #riverwarriors #frogs

03.01.2022 Thank you so much to everyone who has donated! Were so thankful to have you on board, helping us drive our programs forward in Australia, India and beyond. Havent donated yet? You can still make a tax-deductible donation today and claim it back before the EOFY!... Thank you! https://pcfml.org.au/make-a-donation

03.01.2022 It's National Biodiversity Month, and we’re celebrating one of our most mysterious and impressive marine neighbours - Leatherback turtles. Leatherbacks are by far the largest of the sea turtles - growing up to 700kg and over 2m long! They are also one of the most threatened - formally classified as endangered. Australia provides critically important habitat along its coastline and surrounding waters with many of our projects occurring in known Leatherback locations. These am...azing creatures feed almost entirely on jellyfish, and appear to spend the majority of their lives in open ocean waters. These unusual habits make them particularly vulnerable to marine debris, with plastic bags and other rubbish mistaken for food and consumed. Although Australia is not considered a significant nesting ground for Leatherbacks, they have been recorded nesting in Northern NSW and feed in significant numbers between Southern Queensland and the NSW Central Coast. With many of our incredible species currently facing unprecedented threats from climate change, habitat loss and pollution, spare a thought for creatures like the Leatherback next time you eat, shop, consume or vote. Our individual actions make an enormous collective difference and together, we can make a positive change for threatened species. Thank you for your ongoing support to help us tackle some of the pressing issues that directly affect these incredible animals! Photo credit: Jolo Diaz #biodiversity

02.01.2022 The Marine Debris Report and Report Card for our pilot phase on the Brunswick River have been published. You can read more, and find out why the Brunswick River scored an F+, here - https://pcfml.org.au/reports A huge "thank you" to all of our amazing volunteers that participated in the public cleanup events. It just goes to show how much can be achieved when a passionate group of people put their hearts, minds - and muscles - to the task.

02.01.2022 Thank you, Ubuntu Foundation! Over the past few years, our CEO has been in discussion with an inspiring new Foundation called Ubuntu - a South African term for a quality that includes the essential human virtues; compassion and humanity. Ubuntu Foundation has come on board as a major donor for our work, with a particular focus on our Global Programs in India. Their incredibly generous support has meant that we will be able to expand our work and has assisted us with hiring... a new Fundraising Manager to lead our growth in Australia and abroad. During these challenging times, the support from our partners, donors and the general public has been overwhelming. Its not only kept us afloat, but also kept us moving forward with our projects, ensuring that we are continuing to strategise, grow and achieve outcomes for the ocean and those who rely on it for survival. Thank you, Ubuntu Foundation, for your belief in us and your generosity in supporting our oceans and some of the worlds poorest coastal communities. Were honoured to have you behind us and excited to see where your support can take our programs! https://www.ubuntufoundation.com.au/ #pcfmlglobalprograms #support

01.01.2022 Oh, hi there big fella! Welcome back! Byron Bay is getting a visit from majestic Migaloo! Have you spotted him yet? Hes been seen off the south coast of NSW on his annual migration from Antarctica to warmer waters in Queensland. Hes one of only four reported white whales in the world, with one likely being his offspring, Migaloo Junior (MJ).... Because of his popularity and rarity, Migaloo is protected under Queensland and Commonwealth legislation, which states that no vessel is allowed to go within 500m of him. What an absolute privilege it is for us all to experience marine animals like Migaloo. Its our duty as humans to keep them safe and keep our oceans clean. Every year, around 35,000 humpback whales migrate to mate and give birth in the subtropical waters. Find out how you can help www.pcfml.org.au Photo by Craig Parry Photography

01.01.2022 MINIMALIST the Label - a new sponsor on board! Minimalist The Label is a slow fashion brand from the Gold Coast. They choose unique products loved by our ancestors, garments that may have been part of special moments or are of symbolic value. They recycle old materials and garments, then redesign and modernize them into something new.... Founder, Marie, is kindly donating a percentage of all sales to PCFML. Thank you, Marie! #sponsor #team #marineconservation #support #supporters #oceanwarriors #locallysourced #bethechange #goldcoast #fashion #sustainablefashion #fashionbrand #recycle