SA Marine Team makes a splash!

2009 was a big year for marine conservation in South Australia, with the Rann Government creating a network of new Marine Parks covering 44% of SA waters.

These outer boundaries are a fantastic first step towards establishing a world-class network of marine protected areas in South Australia.  Zoning plans for each new park will be developed over the next 2 years so there is still much work to be done.  Luckily, we have the SA Marine Team on our side!

SA Marine Team makes a splash at the 2009 Norwood Christmas Pageant. Photo: Katie Hodgson.

The SA Marine Team (aka SA Wilderness Action Group) is a group of dedicated volunteers who get together in the Adelaide Campaign Centre at 6pm every Tuesday evening to discuss all the latest marine campaign news, share ideas and plan future actions & events.  The energy and enthusiasm of the SA Marine Team is a crucial plank in the success of our South Australian marine campaign and as the profile of the campaign grows, so does the number of people getting involved.

The team was incredibly busy in the second half of 2009, making appearances at the Whaletime Playtime Festival, Yankalilla Show, Semaphore Music Festival, Hills Garden & Environment Expo, Fleurieu Folk Festival & Normanville Junior Surf Life Saving Carnival amongst others. 

SA Marine Team member Andrew Lang getting the message out that Marine Parks are Great for our State at the 2009 Norwood Christmas Pageant. Photo: Katie Hodgson.

Other 2009 highlights included a hugely successful screening of internationally acclaimed documentary The End of the Line held at Adelaide’s Mercury Cinema in October and a “Christmas Under the Sea” themed float in the Norwood Christmas Pageant. Having spent 6 weeks making true-to-life costumes, the SA Marine Team braved a wet & blustery day, taking the message to the streets that “SA’s Marine Life is Unique Yet Unprotected”.

Summer 2010 will see the SA Marine Team continuing to get the message out that "Marine Parks are Great for our State" with visits to Adelaide's many beaches, appearances at music festivals, pampletting & much more.

With zoning arrangements for SA’s new Marine Park’s being developed over the coming year, there’s never been a better time for South Australian beach-lovers to get involved and use their skills to help protect our beloved coasts and oceans.

Visit Volunteering at the Wilderness Society for more information about how to join the SA Wilderness Action Group or the local volunteer group in your State.