Community Engagement

Since its formation the Underwater Explorers Club has been involved in working to maintain a clean and safe environment. Working closely with various organisations, club members understand that to truly enjoy the environment, it also needs to be maintained for current and future generations.

 

​Clean-Up Days

Each year, club members undertake clean-ups across Perth, Rottnest Island and Busselton. These cleans generally involve removing man-made rubbish that can be harmful to the environment and marine life. Our relationship with Clean Up Australia Day and Tangaroa Blue has been ongoing for many years and will continue for many more.

 

Adopt A Spot - Coogee Marina

The adopt a spot program is part of the Keep Australia Beautiful WA campaign. The UECWA has adopted the Coogee Marina, and the first clean-up event by the club was held on February 6th 2022, coordinated by Sue Haste, our Environment Officer. Supported by the Marina Manager Samantha Standish, we had a fantastic turn out of volunteers. With 15 divers in the water and land volunteers on each jetty and on the waterfront, along with dinghy drivers monitoring the divers, a substantial amount of rubbish was removed.

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Reef Life Survey

UECWA has a long affiliation with the Reef Life Survey who conduct regular survey’s of the coastline. Reef Life Survey aims to improve biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of marine resources by coordinating surveys of rocky and coral reefs using scientific methods.

 

Redmap

Redmap stands for Range Extension Database and Mapping project. This project invites Australians to share sightings of marine species that are ‘uncommon’ in their local seas. Over time, Redmap will use this ‘citizen science’ data to map which Australian marine species may be extending their distribution range – a.k.a moving house – in response to changes in the marine environment, such as ocean warming.

Redmap members use their knowledge of the seas to help monitor Australia’s vast coastline. The citizen science data also highlights regions and species that may be experiencing more distribution changes, so that research can be focused on these areas.  

 

Fishwatch

The Fishwatch phone line 1800 815 507 provides a quick and easy way to report sightings or evidence of aquatic pests, aquatic diseases (including fish kills) and illegal fishing.