Moreton Bay Online

For the last episode, we circle all the way round to the foundation - the First People of Moreton Bay. Cameron Costello is the CEO of the Quandamooka Yoolaburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) who manage the Native Title rights of the Quandamooka People. It's a longer episode, but not long enough to ask all the things I want to understand about Quandamooka and the deep, diverse, ongoing, and evolving relationships present in his community have with Moreton Bay!  Cameron tells me a bit about the Native Title determination, and  clears up some misconceptions that still persist about what Native Title means for both Quandamooka people and we other folk who live here and love it. He also opens a fascinating window into the understanding of just what a "culture" is, and shares QYACs priorities and visions for a healthy Moreton Bay and community.  Visit QYAC's website and Facebook to find out more about what they're up to, including what's in store at the Quandamooka Festival this year. Also, check out the podcast blog post (if you've got the time - it's a long one!) which was inspired by this episode. 

Peter Downie is the program co-ordinator for SAILS at Bayside - a community outreach program of the Anglican church that takes people out on the waters of Moreton Bay. They have a public program that's open to anyone, but they also partner with other community groups to provide opportunities for people who would be unlikely to have the access otherwise - youth at risk, and refugees, for example.  It's inspiring - and thought-provoking - to hear how small moments on Moreton Bay that many of us would take for granted may actually be a turning point in someone else's life. This episode runs a little bit longer, because the world needs more stories of humans and the environment that warm the heart! Join me on the blog for a few thoughts on why diversity and inclusion are so important to conservation, and to our community coastal capacity.  

John Page has spent spent a lifetime on Moreton Bay, following his father into life as a commercial fisher. He quite literally depends on what he observes and understands of life in the Bay. John shared with me a bit of history around the local seafood industry (he's also currently the Dep. Environment Rep for the Moreton Bay Seafood Industry Association), how our tastes have changed, and what changes he's seen in the Bay over the last few decades. We also talked a little about what it's like to be a commercial fisher, and how people respond to commercial operators - both on the water and when they are your next-door neighbour!  Check the blog for more on commercial fishing, and what wild-caught fishers offer our community (PS - it's not just fish!)

Robbie Porter is the president of the Moreton Bay chapter of Ozfish Unlimited - a not-for-profit organisation with the explicit goal of helping the millions of recreational fishers across Australia achieve their goal of protecting and preserving fish and fish habitat for the future. Robbie talked to me about his time fishing in Moreton Bay since he was a young fella, and we talked a little about recreational fishing practice, and how we can create a beneficial rec fishing culture, leading by example. He also took me step by step through a really exciting partnership program that's going to improve the health of Moreton Bay far into the future - the shellfish reef restoration project. Why are these reefs going to make such a huge impact? Listen to find out. Find out more about the project and how you can help at the Ozfish site and on the blog for this episode.

Craig Wilson has worked in ports at the ends of Australia, and settled in Moreton Bay to become the Environment Manager for the Port of Brisbane. He describes how our port differs from the others, and explains why the PoB invests so many resources into monitoring - and improving - the environment, for the benefit of all of the Moreton Bay Community.  Find out more about Port of Brisbane's community engagement and environmental monitoring activities at their website, or follow them on Twitter. Check in with the Moreton Bay Online blog for a follow up on Corporate Social Responsibility, a primer on why sediment from our neighbours has such a marked impact on the health of Moreton Bay, and a list of groups you can get involved with to help out!

Dr Kylie Pitt knew early that she would dedicate her life to understanding the world below the waves, but she never guessed she'd develop such a fascination for jellyfish - those unsung-heroes with a bad reputation. Kylie talked to me about her journey to becoming an expert on the jellies we see off the coast of Southeast Queensland, gives us a little background on the new Sea Jellies Illuminated exhibit at Sea World, and blows my mind with one particular ecosystem service that jellies provide (to our dinner!)  Follow Kylie on Twitter, and don't forget to check out the Sea Jellies Illuminated exhibit at Sea World Gold Coast. A little more info on jellies, on the blog!

Penny Limbach and Kylie Roche, through Tangalooma EcoMarines, are inspiring hundreds of young people to save and protect Moreton Bay, and they're doing it with unbridled enthusiasm and hope. Both experienced Moreton Bay for the first time as adults - they tell me how they fell in love with it, and how they created this young green family of stewards for the Bay.  Pop on over to their website to check out all the Ecomarines programs, events and news, or find online training materials for the youngster in your life (or yourself!). Psstt - you can also support them by making a donation or even becoming a sponsor. They're also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.  Don't forget to check out the Moreton Bay Science blog for this episode.  

Jen Conde is an artist and graphic designer who takes daily inspiration from the sights of Moreton Bay. Jen explains (to this non-artist!) how she sees the shapes and forms of the water; the rewards and challenges of expressing Moreton Bay in her unique way, and how she's seen things change in her time living by the Bayside. Take a look at some of Jen's delicious images on Instagram, or find her seamless repeatable patterns to buy and use for yourself (hooray accessibility!) on Spoonflower.  You can find out more about the Moreton Bay species ID app we mentioned at the Qld Museum site, or download on Google Play or the Apple Store. Don't forget to check out the blog for this episode, where I discuss the power of art to inspire our attention, appreciation, and action for place.

Peter Ludlow has spent the last three decades in conversation with the people of Moreton Bay, keeping alive the knowledge of our post-settlement past. Peter's journey to historian of Moreton Bay people and families started with one interesting tale, and continued as people contributed their own stories to add threads to a great, rich tapestry.  We talked about Peter's journey as a local author and historian, and he shared some of his favourite stories and the mysteries still to be answered about Moreton Bay's past. Follow Peter's blog at www.moretonbayhistory.com and don't forget to pop into the Moreton Bay Online blog for a few extra thoughts about why people and the environment should never be considered as two separate factors in our planning.

Cam Cotterell's Instagram account tells you he's an "ocean addict" - and his photos prove he comes as close to breathing salt water as you can without gills! He's a fisher, spearfisher, diver, boatie, surfer, scientist and many other things besides. Take a listen to hear some of the amazing experiences Cam's had on and under the water here in Moreton Bay - he also gives us some thoughts on sharks, regulations, and the health of Moreton Bay. Apologies for the audio on this one, but stick with it, it's worthwhile. And DO zip over to the blog for this episode because Cam shared some images and videos, and you'll want to see them!

Jenn Loder has spent more than a decade working in citizen science, where people and the marine environment overlap. Jenn was the director of programs and partnerships for Reef Check Australia, and she’s the current co-ordinator for the Great Barrier Reef Citizen Science Alliance. In this episode, Jenn shares some of the things she – and the people of Moreton Bay – have discovered about our local coral reefs through ongoing surveys in the area. We also talk about the the benefits of citizen science both for science, and for the many passionate #citsci volunteers. Find out more information about the work Reef Check does, at their Australian site, and choose your own way to get involved in Citizen Science at the Reef Citizen Science Alliance.  More on the blog: www.moretonbayscience.com  

Dr Daryl McPhee has substantial expertise in ecological and social research for coastal zones, including fisheries research. He’s also an author, and in 2017 published his book Environmental History and Ecology of Moreton Bay, which is essential reading for anyone who wants to know Moreton Bay more intimately. Daryl was kind enough to answer all the questions I threw at him - and he has so much knowledge I didn't know where to start! We talked about a couple of stories that didn't make the book, provoked and unprovoked shark attacks, how citizen science can capture the full experience of recreational fishing (not just the catch numbers), charismatic megafauna, and many other things besides. Check out the Moreton Bay Online blog for more on some of these topics, and keep up to date with Daryl and the book on Facebook. 

Sue Pillans is a marine scientist, artist and children’s author/illustrator. Sue carried out her marine science studies and PhD research in Moreton Bay and helped inform planning and policy for the Moreton Bay Marine Park. These days you can find her or her alter ego Dr Suzie Starfish, lighting up the eyes of kids and adults alike, changing the way they think about the ocean with her beautiful graphic recordings and marine storytelling. Follow Sue on Twitter or Instagram, and the magical Dr Suzie Starfish on Facebook. You can find her book and more information on her work in graphical recording at her website. Finally, check the Moreton Bay Online blog for more thoughts about why I think the type of work Sue does is both powerful and necessary.

Chris Walker has a large following on social media because of his wonderful wildlife photography. We talked about how he came to spend so much time with his face glued to a camera in the Redlands, what he's learned about the local wildlife since, and how a shady development deal could threaten the natural assets the locals so appreciate.  Follow Chris on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and catch up with a few additional thoughts on the Moreton Bay Online episode blog here

Sheridan Rabbitt is the Station Assistant at Moreton Bay Research station, where she gets to introduce hundreds of young people to the wonders of Moreton Bay. But she also conducts research of her own, and we talked about two of her studies. The first is about seahorses and pipefish in Moreton Bay, and why we have to watch the seaweed very carefully! And the  second, fascinating study is about women in small scale fisheries in the Pacific, and how management misses the boat when they don't consider their catch and their expertise. How might this be reflected in Moreton Bay? Sheridan explains, and I'd love to hear your thoughts, so send me a message! Find Moreton Bay Research Station on Facebook, and check out Sheridan's Lateral Magazine article on women in small-scale fisheries here. Episode blog here

In this first episode of MBOP, I talk to Rob Siganto and John Goodman, Chair and Director of the newly formed non-profit Moreton Bay Foundation. The foundation has an inspiring vision for Moreton Bay: to make it an "international treasure, known for its excellent environmental health, biological diversity, and ecological sustainability, its innovative robust and resilient economy, and its Indigenous culture and heritage." I talk to Rob and John about their histories with Moreton Bay, the genesis of the foundation, and learn how the foundation is grounded in independence, evidence, and collaboration. The Moreton Bay Foundation want YOU to be involved in the creation of this shared future. Find out more at their website, and don't forget to sign up for their newsletter to hear about MBF activities and events as the foundation grows.

An introduction to Moreton Bay Online - the Podcast. This teaser episode explains the Griffith University PhD research that is the genesis for the social media accounts Moreton Bay Online (on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) and for this podcast. What you'll hear in this episode: a brief introduction to me (your host and PhD student Katie Walters) and the two PhD supervisors for the project - Dr Tim Stevens, and Dr Kerrie-Foxwell Norton. They explain why creating connections between people using these new communications platforms is important for marine and coastal management, and what we hope to see or discover throughout the process. Subscribe to MBOP for: interviews with locals who live, work, and interact with Moreton Bay in the marine environment. This podcast, the social accounts, and the research are all supported by Advance Queensland, who are committed to engaging more Queenslanders in science and discovery. We are truly grateful! The music for the Moreton Bay Online Podcast was created by Vaughan Jones - it's a lovely piece, very evocative of the Bay! Find Vaughan on Instagram.