What's under the wharf education video

When Marine Park Ranger Sham Eichmann looks into the water from the edge of a wharf, she knows it is alive with a thriving habitat for marine life.

“It is actually a really important habitat. It supports a lot of life,” she explains.

Sham believes that education is key to people becoming lifelong advocates for conserving marine life and their habitats.

So much so that the Batemans marine park team are creating a series of educational videos.

“I want people to love it as much as I do. When people love something, they will care for it. That’s our ultimate goal – our communities caring for and protecting our marine life and habitat.”

Twice a year Narooma locals discover the wonders that lie beneath their town’s wharf. The event aptly named ‘What’s under the Wharf’ allows the community an opportunity to see the broad range of animals that live there. Often, they are the things that people don’t get to see.

“We have divers that come down and do some collecting for us. The animals that they collect, we transfer up to the tanks and we’re able to speak to the public and the community about those animals,” she explains.

“You’ll see things like Nudibranchs, Brittle stars, Octopus – it just gives people an opportunity to see things up close.”

Our DPI marine park and aquatic reserve staff understand that as humans we generally care about what we know. Education makes a big difference in inspiring people to connect with our marine environment.

“We hope that teachers, parents and other educators will use the videos to encourage curiosity, to start a conversation, watch in a classroom, share with family.”

“So, when they next look down into the water, they too will know that a special community lives there. A community worth protecting.”

This project is a partnership between Batemans Marine Park and Nature Coast Marine Group.