EcoUpdate: Marine Forum 23 August 2026

Why you can’t miss this forum this Sunday! 🌊

Port Stephens boasts the largest Marine Park in New South Wales—a breathtaking underwater world teeming with unique biodiversity. But beneath the surface, a rapidly changing climate is pushing these fragile habitats to their limits.

How resilient is our local marine environment against these escalating threats?

To answer this urgent question, EcoNetwork Port Stephens is hosting a FREE public forum on Sunday afternoon, 23 August. Local scientists and environmental authorities will pull back the curtain on the hidden crises facing our waters, offering a rare look at both the damage, the resilience, and the inspiring restoration projects underway.

Join marine biologist Dr Bob Creese and EcoNetwork Port Stephens for this FREE forum with leading local experts as they explore some of the biggest challenges facing our marine environment including

• coastal erosion
• turtle mortalities
• oyster reef restoration
• freshwater impacts following heavy rainfall.

🦪 Concerned about our beautiful marine park? Hear straight from the local scientists fighting to save our beaches, turtles, and reefs. 👇

Book NOW and secure your seat

Underwater restoration & recovery 🪸 

🌊 Beneath the waves, a silent battle is being fought. 🌊

Before the extreme 2021–22 floods, thriving colonies of endangered Cauliflower soft coral called Port Stephens home. What happened next changed everything.

Dr. Dave Harasti and Tom Davis from the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute are bringing exclusive, brand-new underwater data to show exactly what was destroyed—and the incredible marine species fighting to recover right now.

👉 See the underwater data first: Book EcoNetwork Forum: Marine Challenges & Resilience

Distressing local crisis 🌊 🐢

⚠️ What was happening to our sea turtles? ⚠️ 

Port Stephens experienced deeply concerning marine events with the heavy upstream freshwater flows. Local experts stepped up to investigate.

Join Ryan and Lia Pereira from Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters for an exclusive, deep-dive investigation into these tragic turtle events in our waters.

📅 Save your seat for the forum: EcoNetwork: Marine Challenges & Resilience

Rebuilding lost ecosystems 🦪

Can we bring our lost reef ecosystems back to life? 🛠️ 🐟 

Decades of change have reshaped our local estuary, but cutting-edge science is fighting back. From re-establishing oyster reefs on sandy seafloors to pioneering habitat restoration, modern science is working to reverse the damage.

Come hear Vicky Cole from the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute showcase the fascinating history of our lost marine ecosystems and the modern restoration efforts bringing them back.

🔗 Reserve your spot: EcoNetwork Forum: Marine Challenges & Resilience

Fighting shoreline erosion 🏖️

Our changing coastlines can’t wait 🛑

From severe shoreline erosion at Shoal Bay to sand renourishment projects at Conroy Park, the threats facing the Port Stephens coast are visible every day.

If you care about the future of our beaches, marine habitats, and coastal communities, this is your chance to listen to local expert Iain Watt tackle these massive challenges head-on. Let’s build a resilient coastline together.

🗣️ Join the discussion: EcoNetwork Forum: Marine Challenges & Resilience

Come along 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

Where: Tomaree Library in Salamander Bay
When: Sunday 23 August 2-4pm
Cost: Tickets are free.
Stay for a chat: Light refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the forum.

Please book your place NOW or by scanning the QR code.

Our local marine life needs us now more than ever. 💙

EcoNetwork Port Stephens

www.econetworkps.org | secretary@econetworkps.org | Facebook