Port Phillip and Western Port support a range of highly important ecosystems and habitats, a diverse and range of animals and plants, and provide many environmental, social and economic benefits to Victorians.

The bays are also an important part of the cultural heritage for the Indigenous people around our bays, and continues to be focus for a wide range of culrtural activitites and endevours. The future health of our two bays depends on the way in which we use and manage our catchments, and risks to the marine environment posed by climate change.

Two Bays 2010 provides a unique opportunity for bay managers and stakeholders to build knowledge, engage coastal communities, form partnerships to better understand and protect bay values, and to highlight the our links with bay health.

WHAT: The Two Bays project utilises Pelican 1, a 62 foot catamaran, to conduct marine research, community engagement activities, and provide opportunities for dialogue and information sharing on key bay environmental themes.

The Two Bays 2010 project has been successfully completed over the four previous summers and seeks to build on the outcomes achieved in these programs.

Specifically the Two Bays 2010 project will undertake:

• A marine science program investigating the bays rich and diverse marine habitats, marine protected areas, shorebird populations, climate change, water quality and bay health
• An Indigenous program building links between traditional and contemporary knowledge
• Community forums and events highlighting opportunities for working together to improve the health of our bays.

WHERE: This project will occur in Victoria’s largest embayments, Port Phillip and Western Port, and along the linking coast. Destinations planned for visits for Two Bays 2010 include Docklands, Beaumaris, Williamstown, Rye, Queenscliff, Flinders, Hastings, Rhyll, and Tooradin, and Geelong.

WHEN: The project is planned to take place in the between 9th and 28th January 2010 to provide maximum opportunities for public interaction and media profile.

HOW: The Two Bays 2010 Program will schedule a range of activities designed to:

• improve understanding of the bays’ natural and cultural values, and the threats to these values posed by poor water quality and climate change
• engage local communities in collecting baseline data about the local marine biodiversity and water quality through citizen science
• involve agencies, local government, and communities in exploring and developing solutions to issues impacting bay health
• promote awareness of bay initiatives in local and state-wide media

WHO: The project was initially developed by Pelican Expeditions with active involvement by Parks Victoria, Port Phillip and Western Port Catchment Management Authority, Association of Bayside Municipalities, People and Parks Foundation, Coast Action / Coastcare, Boonwurrung Elders, and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency. The project is supported by the Australian Governments Caring for Our Country Program. Key project partners for Two Bays 2010 also includes our diverse bay communities, and coastal and marine community organisations

Opportunities for Project Partners:

Two Bays 2010 will provide Project Partners with opportunities to:

• Undertake marine research and community engagement programs focussed around bay water quality, climate change, recreational activity, and marine protected areas.
• Focus community attention on the high natural and cultural values of the bays including Indigenous values and bay Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries
• Promote awareness of threats to the health of the bays while working with community members and partner organisations to examine solutions
• Promote the importance of water quality improvement plans to future bay health
• Improve community awareness of the link between catchment health and the health of Port Phillip and Western Port.
• Create exciting media opportunities to promote key messages for Project Partners
• Engage local and state politicians and agency staff through dialogue and interactions with communities on catchment and bay issues
• Build partnerships between agencies, local government, community organisations and bay residents that work to reduce risks to bay values

Opportunities for Coastal Communities:

Two Bays 2010 will provide Coastal Communities with the opportunities to:

• Explore the values of the bays habitats and participate in research and monitoring programs to assess the bays health.
• Gain Indigenous perspectives of the Two Bays through shared dialogue and storytelling with Indigenous Elders and rangers
• Better understand water quality impacts on bay health and future plans to improve water quality
• Hear the Two Bays Story - an ongoing story created during the journey of the Pelican1 through the different environments threading Indigenous stories as the background
• Establish new, or connect with existing, bay community groups to share information and ideas.
• Gain access to information and data collected through the project, as well as existing materials, for use by schools and community groups
• Celebrate bay environments and iconic bay species such as Weedy Seadragons, Seagrass, Seabirds, and Dolphins

Who are Pelican Expeditions?

Pelican Expeditions collaborates with marine research bodies, indigenous communities, private enterprise and government to provide a range of inspirational projects connected with the marine world. Programs provide an integrated approach to marine science, community involvement, education and industry training.

Pelican Expeditions believe that effective public education and awareness are important tools to help protect and preserve our marine and coastal environment.

Citizen Science

Two Bays 2010 project will continue to provide opportunities for community groups to contribute to research and data collection for monitoring of the health of the bays environments. Data collected through this program will be made available online for schools and community usage.

The citizen science program will include monitoring in marine protected areas within both bays as well as providing opportunities for collecting data of interest to contributing organisations. The science will involve general environmental monitoring including water quality testing, biodiversity sampling, habitat mapping, environmental assessment, and build on local programs.

Target Audiences

The program is designed to interest a broad cross section of the community including local residents, children and youth, visitors to coastal towns, and the broader community through the media. We also seek to engage environmental community groups, local government and agency staff.