EcoNetwork Port Stephens: Marine Special Interest Group!
We’re excited to announce the formation of a special interest group dedicated to protecting and understanding the incredible marine life in the Port Stephens Estuary and nearby coastal waters.
Inspired by concerns over the recent decline in the estuary’s dolphin population, the rising number of injured and deceased turtles (over 70 since mid-2025), and the health of seals on Cabbage Tree Island and our marine habitats such as seagrass and kelp beds, our group—tentatively named the Port Stephens Marine Study Group—aims to bring together passionate volunteers who care deeply about our marine environment.
What we’re about:
We focus on conserving marine habitats and biodiversity, advocating for the protection of our coastline, and connecting our community through education and hands-on conservation projects. We want to inspire locals, especially young people, to learn about and actively protect the magnificent world beneath the waves.
Our goals:
- Protect and restore local marine habitats like seagrass and kelp beds.
- Raise awareness and excitement around coastal conservation.
- Bring marine education into schools and involve students in real scientific monitoring.
- Fill knowledge gaps through focused community-driven projects.
Seagrass beds and mud flats at Bagnalls Beach provide and protect a rich source of life.
Current projects:
- Dolphin monitoring: We track bottlenose dolphins in the estuary, to compare data with earlier studies from Macquarie University. This project supports tourism, and involves collaboration with dolphin cruise operators, ORRCA1, Worimi LALC2, academics, and other local partners. Alongside dolphins, we monitor seals, record turtle sightings and undertake habitat surveys.
- Shorebird surveys: Working with DCCEEW3, the NPWS4 and Hunter Birds5, we’re eagerly preparing to survey shorebirds on inner estuary islands including Corrie Island6, with community support including from Worimi LALC.
- Education in local schools: Following a successful screening of David Attenborough’s Ocean, local high schools have expressed enthusiasm for marine conservation education, including talks, field trips for habitat studies, and hands-on activities with certified snorkel training for fish counts and seagrass surveys.
- Community events: We will host forums and events, such as the Ocean film screening, to engage the public on vital marine topics including mangrove and littoral forest health. We will engage experts on relevant topics and volunteer support will be essential to help make these forums happen.
Looking ahead:
We’re exploring new projects like seagrass and kelp health assessments, beach erosion studies, and water quality monitoring. We warmly welcome volunteers from all backgrounds—whether you’re a diver, snorkeler, keen coastal walker, or photographer. EcoNetwork will provide training and support to help you make a real difference. During the whale season, we hope to add surveys on migrating whales with expert guidance.
Get involved!
If you’re passionate about the marine environment and want to contribute, join us. Together we can protect and celebrate the stunning marine life of Port Stephens.
Looking forward to working with you!
Iain Watt and Bob Creese
EcoNetwork Port Stephens Marine Study Group Coordinators
- ORRCA: Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia, our primary focus being the rescue, research, conservation, protection and welfare of Whales, Dolphins, Seals and Dugongs in Australian waters. ↩︎
- Worimi LALC: Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council ↩︎
- DCCEEW: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australian Government (the Environment program) ↩︎
- NPWS: NSW National Parks Wildlife Serve (threatened species program) ↩︎
- Hunter Bird Observers Club ↩︎
- Corrie Island: ‘Woppa of a season for Little Terns‘ ↩︎
Images: Sue Olsson (unless specified otherwise)
