Sailing into Ocean Literacy- a day aboard Pelican1 during Two Bays
The Two Bays Project: A Model for Providing Multidisciplinary Approaches to Monitoring, Education, Engagement and Partnership Building
Harry Breidahl and Natalie Davey wrote a paper included in a book on innovative practices in marine education which can be accessed here.
The chapter describes a successful place-based marine outreach programme based on a combination of marine science , traditional knowledge , education and community engagement . Strong links to the seven Ocean Literacy Principles are feature in this program. The two bays in the chapter title, Port Phillip and Western Port, are located close to southern Australian City of Melbourne. These two water bodies support a diverse range of habitats and provide many environmental, social and economic benefits to the local community. And yet, the vast majority of Melbournians are unaware of the ways in which their lives are linked to these two bays , its deep-time history and, more generally, they are unaware of their connections to the ocean . Over the past 15 years, the Two Bays project has evolved to address this awareness issue and to develop and encourage deeper collaboration and knowledge sharing. A second theme of this chapter relates to the sailing vessel so critical to the Two Bays project and briefly details the ways in which a small group of dedicated individuals forged a shared vision, followed through on that vision and maintained it for 20 years. The subject of that vision is a 63-foot-long catamaran called Pelican 1. This ocean -going vessel was designed and built as a platform for marine science , community engagement and education . Having sailed 80,000 nautical miles on journeys of discovery, Pelican 1 has been an effective advocate for marine environmental awareness , social justice and sustainable use of the ocean.
TWO BAYS 2020
Riding the waves into Ocean Literacy.
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Pick up point for schools jumping on in St Kilda.
Pick up point for Eastern Schools. It is a lovely walk down St Kilda pier and Pelican 1 can be seen as you walk down moored on the public wharf. Take a right at the kiosk at the end of the pier to get onto the public wharf.
TWO BAYS 2020 is just about to set sail!
TWO BAYS 2019
Opportunity to learn about Western Port’s Marine Parks and Volunteering. Parks Vic’s annual voyage to Western Port Marine Parks encouraging Community Monitoring.
Get to know and learn how to protect your amazing watershed.
‘Parks Victoria is delighted to invite you to join us aboard the SV Pelican to participate in a variety of community monitoring activities within one of Western Port’s Marine National Parks.
The day will be focused on encouraging greater community participation in Western Ports’ outstanding marine protected areas and to encourage the establishment of groups that can play a role in the ongoing monitoring for these parks.’
School kids looking out over Western Port during Two Bays 2018.
Two Bays 2019 Daily Schedule
Two Bays 2019
Port Phillip and Western Port Bays 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 an important part of the cultural heritage for the Kulin First Nation people and continue to be the focus for a wide range of cultural activities and endeavours.
The health of our two bays depends partly on the way in which we use and manage our catchments. Particularly in relation to water quality. We also know there are many risks to the marine environment posed by climate change. Globally, it is the ocean that is doing the heavy lifting in terms of absorbing much of the carbon released into the atmosphere.
Two Bays provides a unique opportunity for bay managers, stakeholders and educators to build knowledge, engage coastal communities, form partnerships to better understand and protect bay values, and to highlight the our links with bay health. The program is designed to develop deeper cross-collaboration and knowledge sharing. The program has created a unique curriculum based on the science and traditional knowledge of both bays. We are working with Bay schools, delivering marine-focussed curriculum and experiential learning opportunities. This year we are planning to focus on marine pests (unfortunately a perennial focus), marine education, acoustic ecology, and engaging coastal communities with opportunities to get out on the Bays as citizen scientists.
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 project seeks to build on the outcomes achieved in previous programs.
Specifically the Two Bays 2019 project will undertake:
A marine science education program, involving a citizen science focus investigating the bays rich and diverse marine habitats, marine protected areas, climate change, water quality and bay health. ‘Learning at Sea’ programs.
An Indigenous program building links between traditional ecological knowledge and Western science
Ongoing research into water quality and micro plastics threats
Listening to Sea Country with Hydrophones- Acoustic Ecology
Ocean Dialogues- opportunities for bay managers to learn and share knowledge about the health of the Bays and ways to protect them.
WHERE: This project will occur in Port Phillip and Western Port Bays, and along the linking coast. Destinations planned include Beaumaris, St Kilda, Williamstown, Mt Martha, Queenscliff, Hastings, French Island, Mud Islands, Geelong and Corner Inlet, Gippsland..
WHEN: The project will take place over mid February/ March 2019
Senior students on board Pelican1 in Port Phillip Bay 2018
Two Bays 2018
Smooth Toadie in the underwater garden at Rickett's Point Marine Sanctuary on the Kingston Koorie Mob day.
Two Bays 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. The program is designed to develop deeper cross-collaboration and knowledge sharing. The program has created a unique Ocean Literacy curriculum based on the science and traditional knowledge of both bays.
Two Bays and an Inlet 2018 Daily Program
What will we find in our blue backyard over Two Bays 2018?
Two Bays 2018 Opportunities
Community Monitoring in French Island Marine National Park Monday 12th March 2018
Citizen Science in action. Last year's group after a day out monitoring Mud Islands with Parks Victoria
Community Monitoring at Mud Islands
Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park Saturday 24th February 2018
Parks Victoria is delighted to invite you to join us aboard the SV Pelican 1 to participate in a variety of community monitoring activities at Mud Islands, Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park as a part of the Two Bays 2018 program.
The day is focussed on encouraging greater community participation in Port Phillip’s marine protected areas and ongoing monitoring for these parks.
The activities undertaken form part of the Sea Search Program developed for community monitoring in Victoria’s Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries. Information collected through Sea Search is used to inform management as well as provide meaningful opportunities for community involvement.
Two Bays 2017
Are you Ocean Literate? Harry Breidahl teaching the basic Ocean Literacy principles to Grade 6 Primary School students from Melbourne's West.
Pelican taking off from Mud Islands. Mud Islands is a very important Pelican nursery. Ever wondered why you never see those amazing fluffy Pelican chicks? They are all here.
Two Bays 2016
Program
The Two Bays program is subject to changes and additions.
First day of the program. Pictured the welcome for the Kingston Koorie Mob by Arweet Carolyn Briggs and safety brief by the Skipper Garry McKechnie.
Two Bays 2016
program
Year 4 students from Mother of God Primary step aboard Pelican1 for the marine education experience of a lifetime.
Reflections on Learning at Sea - Two Bays 2016
OPPORTUNITY TO SAIL ON PELICAN1
Pelican1 will set sail from her home port of Bermagui on January the 22nd to make her way south to Melbourne for the 2016 Two Bays program. This trip can take between 2-5 days. The team has to be quite flexible to accomodate weather and most comfortable sailing conditions. There is an opportunity to sail down with her for $150 a day with a maximum charge of $500 for the whole trip. The cost covers catering and accommodation. If you are interested please contact the Skipper - Garry McKechnie on 0425727553. There is a daily bus service to Bermagui from Melbourne.
Sailing on Pelican1 with the Boonwurrung Foundation and the Port Phillip and Western Port Catchment Management Agency during Two Bays.
Two Bays
Every Summer since 2006...
The Two Bays Project on S.V. Pelican1 involves conducting marine research, marine education programs, community engagement activities, and provides opportunities for dialogue and knowledge sharing on key environmental themes that are relevant to Port Phillip and Western Port Bay in Victoria.
The Two Bays project has been successfully completed over the last nine summers and seeks to build on the outcomes achieved in these programs.
A marine science program, involving a citizen science focus investigating the bays rich and diverse marine habitats, marine protected areas, climate change, water quality and bay health; and
an Indigenous program building links between traditional ecological knowledge and Western science.
To provide an opportunity for volunteer marine focused community groups in both Port Phillip and Western Port to develop and enhance skills in scientific monitoring in selected Monitoring sites.
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 Pelican 1 through the different environments threading Indigenous stories as an essential part of connecting with Sea Country.
Connect with existing bay community groups to share information and ideas, or find common ground to establish a new one
Gain access to information and data collected through the project, as well as existing Two Bays materials, for use by schools and community groups
Celebrate bay environments and iconic bay species such as the Weedy seadragon, seagrass, seabirds, mangroves and dolphins.
Focus community attention on the important and unique natural and cultural values of the bays including Indigenous values and Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries.
Connections to schools in both bays and working with the Two Bays curriculum and the principles of Ocean Literacy.
Citizen Science
Citizen Science Day in Western Port- learning how to monitor seagrass.
Traditional Knowledge
Aunty Carolyn Briggs on board Pelican1. Aunty has been part of the development of the program since the second year of Two Bays.