Reef Check Australia in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | Non-profit organisation

Reef Check Australia

Locality: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Address: 1/377 Montague Road, West End 4101 Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Website: http://www.reefcheckaustralia.org/

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• Non-profit organisation
• Charitable organisation
• Community organisation

08.05.2022 We're excited to announce that we have another round of RCA Reef Ambassador training! If you've been asking about how to get involved as an official RCA volunteer, now is your chance! Training will be online in March, followed by a Face to Face field activity either in the SE Qld or GBR regions (as relevant to you) in April. Apply online here if you're keen or pass it along to a mate to get involved! : https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSfvtCJ_Tv8PB6LuJ/viewform

23.04.2022 Reef Check Australia's Great Barrier Reef team kicked off the 2022 survey season last Friday with a trip out to Middle Reef and Florence Bay at Magnetic Island to conduct reef health surveys. We didn't realise until after the trip that our team of divers were all female and due to last-minute changes it just so happened to occur on Friday 11th February which is International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022! How serendipitous! In addition, we were treated to a beautiful... and sunny day at the fringing reefs on our doorstep collecting lots of invaluable data on the state of our local reef ecosystem! This survey was made possible by a team of dedicated volunteers, support from Affordable Charters, and the Townsville City Council through their Creek to Coral program. #reefcheckaustralia #volunteertoprotect #allhandsondeck #womeninscience #WomenInSTEM #townsvilleshines #townsvillecity #magneticisland #allthedata

12.04.2022 Hi, meet Abi from Mask Events! Mask Events Australia collaborates with Reef Check Australia to run events in an environmentally friendly way and Reef Check Australia is their preferred charity partner. Our collaboration with Reef Check is a win-win situation really.... Check out Mask Events Australia for more! To find out how you can get involved with Reef Check follow the link below. https://bit.ly/3w4x2SZ #allhandsondeck #volunteertoprotect #reefcheckaustralia

05.04.2022 Hello rockstars! In an effort to continue to reduce single-use plastics from everyday use for as many as we can, as well as help fundraise to support our dedicated volunteer teams collecting vital reef health data along the Queensland coastline, we have signed up to a new fundraising program with an Aussie owned zero-waste company, Zero Co, called the $10 Million Give-A-Thon. They make single-use-plastic free body & home cleaning products and every time someone new signs up ...and spends over $99 with them using our unique link, they'll give $40 cashback to our organisation. So if you're interested in ditching single-use plastic at your place AND supporting the organisation, grab your box of Zero Co today! Click this link zero-co.pxf.io/EaGYWW to see what Zero Co is all about, and to see what products can help us all work towards a life less single use plastic! PS Feel free to share this link with friends & family because we get $40 every single time it's used!"

01.04.2022 CLEAN UP FOR THE HATCHLINGS; DECONSTRUCTED :) Did you clean up over the weekend? What did you find? Share your picture with us below!

27.03.2022 Thankyou for sharing this information Sunshine Coast Council !!

15.03.2022 562 items. That was the total number of pieces of litter a group of volunteers collected during our latest cleanup event at the northern end of Kings Beach in Bowen, sponsored by DES (Department of Environment and Science). Sometimes it can be disheartening the amount of rubbish we collect from these cleans, especially when items include sanitary products, nappies, cigarettes and plastic bits and pieces. Oh, so many plastic bits and pieces. But...the reason we do this is we b...elieve it's better out than in and for this particular cleanup it all came full circle when local Bowen resident, Meg, found an old turtles' egg that had hatched from a previous nesting season. We do it for the health of our beaches, our oceans, for our community and residents including marine animals like our turtles! We were also pleased to report than no microplastics (smaller than 5mm) were found in the @ausmap surveys we conducted. All data will be logged with @tangaroablue's Australian marine debris initiative database and we encourage you to do the same with your cleanups! Want to join in the next event? Sign up to receive our Enews letter and follow us on socials for regular updates and event locations! Our next event in North Queensland will be next weekend (Sat 30th Oct) at Forrest Beach. Get in touch with jenni@reefcheckaustralia to get involved and take advantage of the free camping and sausage sizzle. This project has received funding support from the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action grant program. Bowen and Surrounds Community Chat & Noticeboard Tangaroa Blue ReefClean AUSMAP Forrest Beach Hotel Hinchinbrook Shire Council

05.03.2022 Tallebudgera land based clean up Reef Check Australia and Gold Coast community volunteers joined forces to clean up Tallebudgera Creek on the Gold Coast earlier this month as a part of a series of beach and underwater clean-ups run by Reef Check Australia to document and remove marine debris along the length of the Queensland coastline, looking at several key debris hotspots over a two year period. Tallebudgera won ‘Australia’s cleanest beach in the Keep Australia Beautiful A...ustralian clean Beach awards’ in 2010/2011, however recent reports have shown that the area has become a hot spot for marine debris. Two different methodologies to monitor and document debris in the area were used. Microplastic surveys along the high tide mark showed no microplastics found in this area, however many lightweight plastics, beverage containers and ‘the usual suspects’ of plastic straws, cigarette butts and snack wrappers were found strewn amongst the vegetation; not unexpected due to the amount of wind experienced by the team on the day. However, the amount of plastic entwined in and under roots of nearby trees was a little unexpected; showing just how long such items hang around in the natural environment. The area is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, as evidenced by the team early on a Monday workday morning. Whilst the rubbish only weighed 2 kg, it consisted primarily of lightweight plastic items, with 375 pieces of rubbish making up the haul from the team which illustrates just how easy it is to make a difference. As school holidays move into full swing, its important to remember to dispose of rubbish correctly wherever you are. Want to join in the next event? Sign up to receive our Enews letter and follow us on socials for regular updates and event locations! This project has received funding support from the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action grant program. Queensland Government #GoldCoast #DES #Littergrant #togetherforouroceans #volunteertoprotect #AllHandsOnDeck #reefcheckaustralia

18.02.2022 MEAM team members made it to Mudjimba Island on the weekend for some Reef Check Australia surveys, CoralWatch surveys and 3D photogrammetry and mapping. Treated to whales above the water and the sounds of whales below the water was a treat for the team. The sun was shining, the water was perfect and Mudjimba showed everyone just why locals know how special this place is. ... Stay tuned as we share the findings from these volunteer outings. #uqunidive #MEAM #volunteertoprotect #allhandsondeck #collaborationiskey

12.02.2022 Did you miss our amazing Coast to Coral talk last night? never fear you can catch up here https://youtu.be/EBN4wgn9gG8

25.01.2022 The Reef Check Australia team was busy in the last couple of months finishing surveys for Southeast Queensland as a part of our long term monitoring program. As a part of our program, we set up 2 brand new locations on Gold Coast's Palm Beach artificial Reef over the past few months. This artificial reef is different to some others. It is made of rock rather than geotextile, and within weeks, the site was teeming with life. Stay tuned to see how this interesting new site ...changes over time. Ashleigh Borra, Reef Check Australia Volunteer had this to say about helping out with setting up a new site and monitoring others: 'As soon as I found out about the amazing work Reef Check Australia was doing, I had to join! As a Bachelor of Marine Science student at Griffith University with a passion for corals, Reef Check was exactly the kind of citizen science I could get behind. As soon as I finalised my training, Jodi, Phil and Julie patiently took me on my first survey at the Seaway in Southport, Gold Coast. It was such a great feeling to finally put my training into practice and feel as if the data I was collecting could make a difference. I finally understood what Jodi said in training about it all coming together! The Gold Coast has some amazing dive sites and important reef ecosystems that need to be protected, and I feel proud to be putting my knowledge to use surveying the reefs here' Big shout out to Ashleigh for helping out! These surveys were supported with support from the City of Gold Coast. #ALLHANDSONDECK #volunteers #reefcheckaustralia #citizenscience #saveourreefs

24.01.2022 Today, on the 11th of November all of us at Reef Check commemorate RE-membrance Day, a tribute still incredibly significant to us as Australians, over 100 years after the end of the First World War. In those four years of war more than 330,000 Australians served overseas. Tragically over 60,000 Australians died, mainly young men. On November 11 each year we honour these brave men and women for their magnificent, selfless service to this country. We take this moment today, to celebrate their lives, their bravery, and strength.

24.01.2022 Happy #NationalRecyclingWeek! Todays post is all about the history of recycling and where Australia currently stands with their ability to recycle! Go check it out - and don't forget to share so you can help educate others too! #educateandadvocate #recycle #ALLHANDSONDECK #Saveoureefs #history #education #marineconervation #australianhistory

22.01.2022 #attitudeofgratitude! We'll kick things off with our action of the month of 'being grateful' by thanking all of our wonderful partners, supporters and volunteers! Of course the list is long, and we're grateful for EVERYONE who has been involved with any Reef Check Australia event or initiative EVER. Our volunteers, citizen scientists, and ambassadors continued to #educate and #inspire throughout the hardest times of the year and we're so amazed by their dedication to #Saveth...eReef! We've had some wonderful events for great causes such as the DIY beeswax workshop with Townsville City Council and Stockland, Sunset Sails with Saltwater Eco Tours, an amazing variety of talks through our #CoasttoCoral seminars, beautiful Reef Check bling by Lush Mala Beads , some epic beer yoga coming up with Your Mates Brewing Co. and of course the hard-working field scientists on our long-term monitoring programs (thanks to City of Gold Coastl!!) To those that follow us, like our posts, share our stories, and support our mission - THANK YOU. We appreciate every inkling of support you give! Remember to tag us or #attitudeofgratitude in your posts on what you're grateful for this October! #attitudeofgratitude #reefcheckaustralia #actionofthemonth #ALLHANDSONDECK #Citizenscience #SavetheReef #protectourreefs #GreatBarrierReef

22.01.2022 Here at RCA, we are all about our team of volunteers, as they are the backbone of what we are all about. Today we introduce to our wonderful Facebook community, the one and only Jenni Calcraft with some of her answers to our crazy questions! Although very much employed here at Reef Check as Assistant Project Coordinator, she volunteers countless hours as well. Busy with so many Reef Check activities and programs, she is one epic human! What is your name? -- Jenni Calcraft, A...ssistant Great Barrier Reef Project Coordinator Where are you from? -- I’m from Brisbane but now work, study and play in Townsville! What is the project you are currently working on/hope to start for Reef Check Australia? -- Oh, so many! Luckily we love this stuff! We are currently finishing off the GBR survey season summary report, preparing for a big adventure in the Whitsundays running the next surveyor and ambassador courses, thinking about the next community engagement stalls (hello again beeswax wraps!), doing some more beach cleanups in collaboration with ReefClean and Tangaroa Blue and always looking for new grants to support our work and extend our reach! Hit me up if you want to get involved in any of these! What animal do you think best represents you? -- Maybe a bird. Up early and constantly flitting from one thing to another. Night owl or early bird? -- Early bird! Flying or invisibility? -- Flying! Favourite food? -- Mum’s noodle soup Favourite Marine animal? -- Jellyfish! Not only are they just so cool, but they’re also successful without a brain which gives me hope! Thanks Jenni for being an important part of Reef Check Australia!

22.01.2022 Team @reef check at Alma Bay in Magnetic island doing a beach and underwater clean up as part of @tangaroablue #reefclean event. Here the team are hard at work sifting sand in search of micro plastics as part of an @ausmap_au survey. The @reefclean project is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and delivered by @tangaroablue Foundation and a number of partner organisations including Reef Check Australia

21.01.2022 It's almost that time of the month again - brace yourself for another sharky Coast to Coral talk!! This month we will hear from Julianna Kadar, a PhD Candidate at Macquarie University in Sydney with The Fish Lab! Julianna works on finding out more about the activity patterns of the Port Jackson shark using shark tags that function like Fitbits - but for sharks. Her study uses machine learning to break down the millions of data points collected by the tags into distinct behavi...our signatures like resting, swimming, and feeding. With these behaviour signatures, a clear picture of the Port Jackson shark’s movements can be created and ultimately allow us to ‘see’ what this species is doing underwater, leading to better management of the species and its environment. The Fish Lab that Julianna is a part of also completes studies on shark personality, social networks, cognition, and warming ocean climates. SCHEDULE AND INFO: Virtual doors (zoom) opens at 6.25pm for a 6:30 pm start. Stay after the event for networking and nibbles (BYO obviously!) - get your burning questions answered by Julianna, and continue your thoughts, ideas and sea-minded discussions with your local community, all from the comfort of your couch! For more info head to the event page, and to book head to our website here! www.reefcheckaustralia.org/coast_to_coral_fitbits_for_sharks

20.01.2022 If you missed our Coast to Coral talk this week on the largest fish in the world, don't worry - we've got your back by recording all of these brilliant sessions! If you ever need to access past talks on port jackson sharks, grey nurses, whales and more, just head to the Reef Check Australia Youtube page. To view the talk on Tuesday, click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VViV5bLVlFA #coasttocoral #citizenscience #whaleshark

18.01.2022 Seaside Scavenge is tomorrow! Join us to clean-up your local area, sort and catalogue your litter and then exchange it for pre-loved clothes, books, toys and more that have been donated by the local community. Make your trash become ca$h! Waste is actually a valuable resource - not something that can just be thrown away! To book and to also find some very important information about COVID restrictions for this event, head to our facebook event page: ... https://www.facebook.com/events/708326513051574 Seaside Scavenge Visionary Ocean Warriors

16.01.2022 More awesome humans at the Spring into Scavenge #visionaryoceanwarriors

15.01.2022 Just thought we'd REmind you about tomorrow's whaley great Coast to Coral talk!! Tomorrow night, we will hear from Dr. Chris Rohner, on his whale shark research and other large marine animals. Chris will be talking about what we now know about the world's largest fish, and how citizen scientists can contribute to the study of whale sharks.... Important notes: Virtual doors (zoom) opens at 6.25pm for a 6:30 pm start. Stay after the event for networking and nibbles (BYO obviously!) - get your burning questions answered by Chris, and continue your thoughts, ideas and sea-minded discussions with your local community, all from the comfort of your couch! At Reef Check Australia we’re all about inspiring our mates and we love to read your thoughts! So, share your favourite parts about the night and tag us! Reef Check Australia #coasttocoral To RSVP and get that good zoom link, head here! https://www.reefcheckaustralia.org/coast_to_coral_whale_sha

15.01.2022 Some of the awesome humans who came along today to the Spring into Scavenge organised by #visionaryoceanwarriors and made a pledge to make a small change to help the environment

15.01.2022 On Monday we discussed the history of recycling and touched on the Australian Recycling Crisis and the 3 pillars of waste management. Today we want to dive a little deeper into these topics and talk all about one of the most important pillar of waste management REducing! The waste hierarchy prioritizes how we should handle our waste, with prevention and reduction waste the best and throwing things away the worst. Recycling is important but should NEVER be our first optio...n. Recycling is not a justifiable excuse use single use products. In 2016-17 Australia generated 67 MILLION tonnes of waste, this figure is constantly increasing. In order to reduce this amount, it is vital that we start reducing the amount of waste we individually and collectively produce. By reducing your waste, start to prevent large amount of rubbish entering our oceans and landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and save you money! On a personal level there are many easy initiatives you can take to start reducing your waste, some of these include: 1. Start to focus on reducing waste when grocery shopping. Opt for fruit and vegetables not wrapped in plastic and bring your own produce and shopping bags! Try to reduce the number of packaged products as much as possible. 2. You can also start to focus on your toiletries, only buy what you need and use all the products up until you buy more. 3. Say NO! Say no to plastic straws, takeaway containers and any other products wrapped in plastics. Instead bring your own ones that you can re-use. 4. Buy in bulk! Buying in bulk can reduce the amount of waste you create from buying small individually wrapped items. If we all start to reduce our waste before anything else, we can make a HUGE difference to the state of the earth. Our future of our oceans lay in your hands. It is time to start saying NO unnecessary plastics and waste, and YES to a more sustainable future! #allhandsondeck #marineconservation #saveourreefs

13.01.2022 OCTOBER'S ACTION OF THE MONTH IS: Be Grateful. It has been a trying year, testing the limits of everyone and pushing some of us harder than ever before. We'd like to take this month to be grateful for everything that we've learned this year, the bonds we've made and the support we've gathered. There are silver linings to every situation, even the worst of the worst! Reef Check Australia's General Manager Jodi Salmond has these beautiful words to say to you all: ... "Gratitude. Today, the world is full of fear, of stress and anxiety, of uncertainty - it can be overwhelming. It is full of people trying to repair. To reset. To heal and move forward. Because of this, and because of the feelings, the emotions and the changes that have risen in the past few months, this month we choose to show gratitude. To ourselves, to our bodies, to our minds and to our souls. We thank it for its strength and for its resilience. We are grateful for those around us near and far. For helping us through the tough times now and always. Most of all, we thank the planet. Despite all we have done to it so far, it keeps us alive. So thank you." What are you grateful for this month or year? We'd love to know! Just comment below or tag us in your posts with the hashtag #attitudeofgratitude. And why not spread the love? We challenge you to give out 3 compliments a day! Make someone's day by sending a compliment their way!! #challengeaccepted. #reefcheckaustralia #actionofthemonth #education #inspire #ALLHANDSONDECK

12.01.2022 Wowee.. speak of recycled magic! Have you gotten yourself your mermaid mala yet? Since it is national recycling week, there isn't a more perfect time to bring to light the beautiful magic that are the Mermaid Mala beads! They are made using ethically sourced recycled glass and are limited in quantity.... The Mermaid collection was born from the acknowledgement that we are all connected to the planet, and that what we do above the water directly affects what happens below it. Over 8 million tonnes of rubbish from our daily lives make its way into the ocean each and every year. Most of this will remain in the ocean, causing ingestion and entanglement issues for a myriad of animals. But a small portion of this debris will be removed. An even smaller portion will be recycled and given a second life. With an idea to truly turn trash into treasure, @reefcheckaustralia and Lush Mala Beads teamed up to celebrate the amazing underwater wonderland, and to support the action agents dedicated to understanding and protecting our precious reef resources by creating something truly unique and beautiful. The Mermaid collection is the result of this collaboration. For each item you purchase from the series, 20% of the profits will go to Reef Check Australia to further support on ground (and underwater!) efforts. Made from recycled glass beads, silk, sterling silver charms and a whole lot of love, these gorgeous pieces won’t last long. So rise and shine. Embrace your inner mermaid and speak up for our oceans and look damn good doing it. Head to the #lushmala website to find all the goodies! www.lushmalabeads.com

09.01.2022 Hi Crew! *Urgent Update!* We noticed some are having issues with the zoom link for tonights Coast to Coral talk! It's best to use the meeting ID and Password in the registration email to get in. If you need an update on these details send a message to the FB page or email [email protected]

08.01.2022 What a way to spend a sunny Friday afternoon! People came from far and wide to join @Reef Check Australia on our last fundraising sunset sail with @Saltwater Eco tours in September! Guests were treated to tasty beverages, a beautiful sunset and the chilled out tunes by @Will Outridge. For those who missed out and are keen to join us for the next one, head on over to https://saltwaterecotours.rezdy.com//saltwater-cultural-to and choose Saturday October 17th, 3.30-5.50 for ou...r brand new collaboration: Science and Storytelling. Connect with the oldest living culture in the world through storytelling, didgeridoo and entertainment provided by your Indigenous Storyteller Guide as you cruise to sites of cultural significance and places where Dreamtime stories and songs originated. Then learn about the local science that researchers are doing in the area. Where are the reefs off the Sunshine Coast? What animals inhabit the areas, and how are these areas changing over time? Spot sea birds, turtles and dolphins as you enjoy an array of delicious bush-tucker inspired catering that brings the flavours and textures of the rain forest and the ocean to life. Served with a refreshing local craft beer, wine or sparkling champagne. Get in quick, this tour WILL sell out!

06.01.2022 Did you get waxy this weekend? Sending out a massive thank you to those who participated in the DIY Beeswax wrap workshop this weekend! The wraps that came out of each workshop were mermaidy, sharky, and just all-round stunning! You all did such an amazing job, and we're very proud to have worked with you lovely people to decrease our plastic waste in Townsville! Would you like to see an event like this again? We'd love to hear your feedback!... Thanks to our amazing volunteers, Stockland for hosting us and Townsville City Council for funding the development of our snazzy new poster to help make the switch to reusable wraps! Download your own poster here: https://www.reefcheckaustralia.org/beeswax_wraps

06.01.2022 Tomorrow's the day! Come join Reef Check Australia on September 25th, 3.30-5.50pm. Sit back and unwind as you cruise the Mooloolaba canals listening to the sweet sounds of acoustic artists. Enjoy a selection of grazing platters & a complimentary craft beer, watching the sun set into the evening in this beautiful part of the Sunshine Coast. The proceeds from this beautiful 2-hour tour will be donated to Reef Check Australia to allow us to continue our vital reef health monitor...ing and community outreach programmes. Massive thanks to Saltwater Eco Tours for this gorgeous opportunity. We couldn't imagine a better way to spend a Friday evening! THE DETAILS: Meet at Penny Lane pontoon (see map) Starts at 3.30pm- so don't be late! 2 hour duration Fully license bar Finishes at 5.30pm. Interested? Head over to https://saltwaterecotours.rezdy.com/387865/sunset-tour and choose September 25th! #visitsunshinecoast #mooloolaba #collaborationforchange #allhandsondeck

03.01.2022 Tonight is the night, so if you are in need of a bendy session before the silly season really kicks off, come and join us for our LAST BEER YOGA SESSION OF THE YEAR! Tickets still available, so come on down! Big shout out to Scott from Younion Yoga, will be running the flow this evening, and to Your Mates Brewing Co. Your Mates Brewing Co. for the EPIC venue. See you there!... https://fb.me/e/1M3XdjpOM

03.01.2022 Did you know that right now, there are more microplastics in our waters than there are stars in the Milky Way? As a continuation from last #savethereefsunday, this week your challenge is to #REFUSE! Yes - Recycling is great! Especially when it's done right! However, did you know that there are many, many steps you can take to reduce the amount that needs to be recycled in the first place? STEP 1: Refuse single-use items! If you can avoid plastic cutlery, plastic bottles an...d single use bags - then by all means do! It's so easy to bring your own set of utensils, a tupperware container, or a tote bag. By doing so, you're halting the item from going to landfill or to be recycled (that is if it successfully makes it all the way! STEP 2: Start shopping consciously. REFUSE buying items that are encased in plastic or non-reusable packaging. Bulk food stores, or even just buying fresh produce can minimize your plastic footprint significantly! Here are some items that you can easily refuse today: - Plastic straws - Plastic bags - Produce bags - Plastic styrofoam or to go containers - Cling wrap - Plastic toothbrushes What you can use instead: - Paper or metal straws - Canvas or other fabric bags - Reusable water bottles - Glass or metal containers - Bamboo toothbrushes - Wax paper, silicone wrap - BYO metal utensils! Challenge yourself to refuse single-use items and choose reusable ones instead! By all doing our small parts, we can make a difference and all contribute in the feat to #protectouroceans and #saveourreef! #reefcheckaustralia #savethereefsunday #refuse #Reefcycle #takeaction #allhandsondeck

03.01.2022 National NAIDOC week celebrates the First Nations people of this land. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples were Australia's first. First leaders, explorers, engineers, botanists, doctors, scientists, storytellers and artists. Reef Check Australia acknowledges that we work directly and live on Bindal, Nyawaygi, Yuru, Giya, Badtjala, Gubbi Gubbi, Yuggera, Bundjalung, Thalanyiji lands - travelling between and utilizing the resources of many more. We take today to recognise that sovereignty over this land was never ceded. The fight for healthy reefs and coasts wouldn't be possible, without meaningful collaboration with the Traditional Owners of this land. #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #naidoc2020

03.01.2022 You may have already heard of the tragic pilot whale strandings in Tasmania this week. To be honest, we hesitated with creating a post for this subject as it's not quite our usual cheery tone! With that said, we still decided to spread the word of this stranding event, while also sending a few whale facts your way. Since Monday, around 470 long-finned pilot whales became beached on the West coast of Tasmania. An amazing team of rescuers have saved around 50 of them. But as ...we know, a miraculous amount of effort goes in to pulling a single whale off of a beach, so we're giving a MASSIVE shoutout to all the rescuers out there trying to save these pilot whales. Currently, the cause of beaching is unknown for this particular case, but there are a couple of reasons why whales become beached: 1. The beaching of a single animal is often due to sickness or injury. 2. In tightly knit pods however, a single leading whale can accidentally lead an entire pod of hundreds to shore. This often happens on wide, gently sloping beaches where the whale's sonar cannot detect the shallowing water. 3. Sonar and other loud underwater noises can cause beaching events. Low and mid-frequency sonar used by militaries to detect submarines can be fatal to some whales, causing immediate haemorrhaging or decompression sickness when they surface too quickly to try and escape the loud sounds. Here are a few Australian sites where you can learn about marine mammal conservation efforts and also how to report a whale stranding: https://marinemammal.org.au/ https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wildl/marine-conservation-program https://www.wildaboutwhales.com.au/wha/take-action/partners. Image credits to Four Corners.

02.01.2022 Come and join Reef Check Australia Ambassadors for a beach clean up at Rose Bay, Bowen. Volunteers are invited to join our team on the beach to participate in a Tangaroa Blue Marine Debris Clean Up, and AUSMAP microplastics survey. Depending on the weather conditions, for those who are comfortable in the water we may even go for a snorkel and participate in marine based citizen science activities including Eye on the Reef reef surveys and CoralWatch surveys. Event page here: https://fb.me/e/1lMgHjLIM

01.01.2022 Don't forget to book your spot for the ever-so popular Beer Yoga coming up on November 30th! The hour-long session will see punters getting bendy, with beer-drinking incorporated into each classic yoga pose. Think sun salutations and reverse warriors, interspersed with sips of your favourite ale. Scott from Younion Yoga, a qualified vinyasa yoga instructor (and seasoned beer drinker) will get you loose, limber, and having fun whether you're a total yoga novice, or a well-p...racticed pro. This epic session will see all proceeds going to support Reef Check Australia and their reef health research. BYO yoga mat and water bottle and you're good to go. Two cans of tasty brew are included in the bargain price of $35 (plus booking fee) for the session. Bookings are essential as everyone love's a good Beer Yoga, so book your spot quick if you'd like to spend an arvo getting twisty! For your tix, head here! https://events.humanitix.com/november-beer-yoga-at/tickets What:- Beer Yoga Where: Your Mates Brew House When: 5.30pm, Monday 30th November