Author Archives: oceanlifeeducation

Have Tank will Travel

Usually our sea animals bask in the 5 star luxury of their home tanks on the Sunshine Coast, where everything is carefully monitored to create an optimum environment, but when they hit the road to educate our next generation of ocean lovers, things get a little more tricky.

Our touch tanks are a home away from home for our animal ambassadors and we work hard to ensure things are as stress free as possible while they play a vital role in helping children understand and appreciate the aquatic world.

They travel all over Brisbane and the rest of South East Queensland, visiting early learning centres, schools and shopping centres, giving youngsters the opportunity to get up close and personal with these exotic creatures.

Under careful supervision, children are able to gently interact with our sea stars, sea cucumbers and spiny urchins, using our one finger touch policy that ensures our animals remain relatively undisturbed while cocooned in their cases.

To protect both animal and young enthusiast, our baby sharks are carefully contained in see through containers which allow for thorough inspection without causing damage.

Likewise, the colourful tropical sea cucumbers have such delicate feeding tentacles, they need to be kept clear of probing fingers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9VrClr6maY

But the fresh water turtles are only too willing to subject themselves to some soothing shell massage, all in the name of fostering a greater human/animal relationship.

We limit the amount of time our animal ambassadors spend away from their homes, rotating our starfish, cucumbers, urchins, sharks and turtles to make sure they are well rested and fed before embarking on their next mission to help save the oceans.

 

Marine Biologist for a Day

Over the past few years, hundreds of primary schoolers have enjoyed our holiday sessions that inspire them to care for the ocean – now it’s time for the high schoolers to get in on the action.

Due to popular demand, our Marine Biologist for a Day program has been adapted to cater for an older audience who want a more in depth look at the world of marine science.

Students will have the chance to examine in detail our impact on the ocean including environmental stress on coral reef systems, water acidification and plastic pollution.  We will discuss a wide range of ideas on how to better care for the health of our seas.

The aim of the program is to making learning fun and relevant, examining animal classification to discover how each creature fits into the aquatic world.

The program will be very interactive, with students observing the dissection of a dead fish to reveal the organ make-up and development of a mullet.

And our most popular feature will still be included – the chance to gently touch our living sea creatures – an opportunity that never gets old at any age!

This program will provide a valuable insight to the workings of the aquatic world for any high schooler who has a passion for the ocean or is considering a career in marine sciences.

But we haven’t forgotten the younger students – our classic Marine Biologist for a Day will still be running in school holidays – we’re just expanding the program to grow with your kids.

For more details check out https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/programs/marine-biologist-for-a-day/

Shark Soup

They are possibly the most misunderstood of all the sea creatures – apex predators capable of inspiring both fear and fascination in equal measure.  But far from being the killing machines portrayed in the movies, most sharks are more at risk from us than we are from them.

Of the almost 400 species identified, only a dozen or so are considered dangerous to humans. We’re certainly not their preferred diet, but we can easily be mistaken for more tasty morsels such as seals.   Statistically, we’re more likely to be killed by a rogue champagne cork than a shark.   On average only 5 people are taken every year, whereas humans slaughter 100 million sharks annually, causing all sorts of problems.

Sharks are a natural part of the marine ecosystem.  From their perch on top of the food chain, they help to maintain a balance in our oceans, preventing smaller species from overpopulating, which can then cause a ripple effect, threatening our delicate coral reefs.

And most of the time we don’t even know they are there.  More often than not, sharks will actively try to avoid us when we venture into their territory.  And while they populate the shoreline all around the Australian coast, Queensland numbers tend to increase in the winter months when their food sources move into the warmer waters.

They may not be as extrovert as the humpback whales, but grey nurse sharks cause just as much excitement amongst scientists. It’s estimated only 1500 of these animals still live off the East Coast of Australia giving them the unenviable status of critically endangered.

Part of the problem with the grey nurse sharks is they look fairly fearsome while remaining relatively sedate underwater – they’re often referred to as the Labradors of the sea due to their docile nature. But this has also made them easy targets for fishermen, with the grey nurse often snagged on hooks as they take up the offer of an easy feed.  Added to which they are slow to mature and reproduce few young.  While they are protected, it doesn’t stop accidental death at the hands of humans.

But marine biologists are studying the grey nurse and trying to figure out ways to help them to repopulate including banning fishing in areas they are known to congregate.  Ocean Life Education’s Shark Discovery program looks at the issues facing endangered species like the grey nurse and tries to separate fact from fiction to make us finally appreciate that the greatest threat in the ocean is not from sharks but humans.

Humpback Heaven

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Most marine creatures that pass our coast prefer to go un-noticed – but not the humpbacks.  These massive mammals like to announce their presence with spectacular displays that still leave scientists guessing as to why.

Certainly whales need to surface to breathe – their huge exhalations rising metres into the air after 20 minutes of down time underwater.  But the humpbacks have turned airtime into an artform.  Giant pectoral fin slaps, tail splashes and spy hops (poking their head out to look for an appreciative crowd) are just the precursor to the main event.

Full body breaches are the show stopper for any whale watcher.  And the degree of difficulty needs to be fully appreciated.  An adult can easily measure 16 metres and weigh up to 30 tonnes and to launch something of that size out of the water (often time and time again) is nothing short of astounding.

But to what end?  It’s not a way to flee predators or to capture food – humpbacks are on an enforced diet during their time away from Antarctica – their preferred menu of krill remains in the icy waters while the whales make their annual pilgrimage to mate and calve in the warmer region of the Pacific.

The most plausible theories to explain the unusual antics are guesses at best.  One thought is the breaches and slaps are a form of communication – a way to let other humpbacks in the vicinity know where they’re at.  Another is it signifies a change in behaviour – when a whale is going for rest mode to more active travelling – like a giant stretch as they wake themselves up.

But many believe they just do it because they can.  Humpbacks are known to be curious, intelligent animals and like most mammals they are capable of having fun. They leap for joy simply because it feels good.

In the past, this playfulness has contributed to their demise, with the species almost hunted to extinction in the early part of the 20th century as they were easy prey to spy.  Today the biggest threats are net entanglements and strikes from over zealous boaties wanting to get as close as possible to these magnificent creatures.

But we all play our part – with Plastic Free July upon us, it is the perfect opportunity to consider our impact on the ocean and the quality of the water the humpbacks and so many other marine creatures swim through.  Don’t be fooled by their size and energy, these really are our most vulnerable visitors and the southerners we want to keep returning for many years to come.