Community Dolphin Census- Sunday 3rd June 2018

This year, the Marine Parks Association will once again be running the Port Stephens Community Dolphin Census. The Dolphin Census is a free event and will be conducted on Sunday June 3rd between 11:00am-12:00pm. During the census, volunteers will be distributed along the shores and on the waters of Port Stephens. At each census site, observers will record information about the dolphins encountered during the census period. Bring your camera! We encourage participants to take photos of any dolphins they encounter. The right photos can help us recognise individual dolphins. Information about taking dolphin ID shots can be found here. At the conclusion of the census, participants will submit their photos and data via the Marine Parks Association website.

To participate in the Community Dolphin Census, simply visit the Marine Parks Association website: www.marineparksassociation.org.au and complete the registration form. Upon receiving your registration, we will email you a participants pack. If you require any further information, please contact Lisa Skelton on 0412 464 325 or email marineparksassociation@gmail.com . A big thank you to everyone who has already registered for this year's census. The census day is creeping closer and we're looking forward to seeing everyone out on the water and along the shoreline. While sharing this gentle reminder about the census, we would also like to use the opportunity to give a little shout out to a number of great events happening over the next month which highlight the efforts of local conservation groups, like OCCI, Sea Shelter and ORRCA and showcase our local marine environment. Upcoming Events: Paddle for the Planet - Saturday 2nd June

Paddle for the Planet is happening on June 2nd at 9am. Paddle for the Planet is a Global Paddling Relay that unites paddlers, creates awareness and is a movement for conservation. The goal is to have simultaneous paddling events happening sequentially, at a specific time, in every time zone and in each country around the world. The result will be to unite paddlers of any type of paddling craft through the Global Relay. Paddle for the Planet aims to raise awareness and financial support for marine conservation specifically in the area of reserves and “no take zones”.

Visit www.facebook.com/ShoalBaySUP for more information.

2018 Community Dolphin Census - Sunday 3rd June Visit www.marineparksassociation.org.au to register. OCCI movie & charity event - Friday 8th June Local marine conservation group, Ocean & Coastal Care Initiatives, are hosting a fund-raising event to celebrate World Oceans Day. Come along to Nelson Bay Cinemas on Friday, 8th June at 6pm for a special screening of 'BLUE'.

'BLUE takes us on a provocative journey into the ocean realm, witnessing a critical moment in time when the marine world is on a precipice. Featuring passionate advocates for ocean preservation, BLUE takes us into their world where the story of our changing ocean is unfolding. We meet those who are defending habitats, campaigning for smarter fishing, combating marine pollution and fighting for the protection of keystone species.' Hosted by Port Stephens Council and Ocean & Coastal Care Initiatives-Port Stephens Arm (OCCI) Proceeds of event go to OCCI who are a group of local, passionate ocean protectors caring for our coastline and ocean. On the night:engaging presentations, live music, raffle prizes and more, PLUS BLUE the Film. Tickets on sale now. Tickets are $19 adults and can be purchased on-line at tickets.demand.film/event/4523 Sea Shelter- Community Clean of the Mangroves - Saturday 9th June HELP CLEAN UP THE MANGROVES FOR WORLD OCEANS DAY! Mangroves are an extremely important ocean habitat, providing protection for millions of organisms especially juveniles and even the land itself by shielding the coast from erosion.

LOCATION': Register at the West (Salt Ash) end of Marsh RD, Bobs Farm 2316 between 10am & 3pm. More information at www.seashelter.org ORRCA’s Annual Census Day 2017- Sunday 24th June On Sunday, 24th June, ORRCA will hold the annual Humpback Whale Migration Census. To participate, simply pick your favourite headland and call 02 9415 3333 or email (orrca@orrca.org.au) to register your location. Make sure you print off the marine mammal sighting log sheets from www.orrca.org.au