Divers and snorkellers hitting the water at Gnarabup can now borrow a free dive slate to learn more about the marine biodiversity and ecosystem.
The slates are waterproof and showcase two dive trails as well as a host of marine life, and can be borrowed at the White Elephant Beach Café, taken on a dive or snorkel and then returned for the next user.
The initiative is part of Nature Conservation Margaret River Region’s youth marine stewardship program, supported by the World Surf League grants program WSL One Ocean and the Line in the Sand philanthropic group.
Young people aged 15-18 with a keen interest in the ocean were selected for the program – first attending a series of workshops linked to the marine world but covering leadership, mental health, indigenous culture, freediving, reading the coastline and coastal conservation; then working in groups to develop and run their own conservation projects.
One of the groups is the “Aquaholics”, with members including Skye Nilsson-Linne, Kris Markov, Maggie Golebiowski and Amelie Bailey. They identified a gap in local marine education, researched the key species found on our inshore reefs, and created a dive slate to help inform divers and snorkellers. Two dive slates are available – one showing a beginner trail, the other showing an advanced trail for more confident divers, as well as marine species that you are likely to see when diving in this area.
Aquaholics members Skye Nilsson-Linne & Amelie Bailey with their new dive slates
The images of the marine species were donated by renowned WA artist Roger Swainston and the slates will be unveiled at an official launch from 2pm-4pm at Gnarabup Beach in front of the White Elephant this Saturday, November 23. Everyone is welcome, with a raffle being drawn and prizes donated by Down South Fishing and Camping. And, there’ll be free sessions with Simon Tien from Margaret River Surfing Academy on breathwork and University of WA researcher Dr Tim Langlois on our incredible marine biodiversity.
Aquaholics member Skye Nilsson-Linne said: ““From the very start of our project, our group’s goal has been on educating people about our marine ecosystem in a fun and inclusive way. And that’s exactly what we have done! Now available down at Gnarabup Beach, we’ve successfully made the very first dive trail in Margaret River.”
Nature Conservation’s Mandy Polley, Aquaholics members Skye Nilsson-Linne & Amelie Bailey, and the White Elephant’s Kirby Diaz at Gnarabup Beach
“We hope that with this dive trail, people gain the love for the ocean that our team members have – thus giving them the drive to preserve and protect the ocean,” she added. “This project has been a roller coaster of fun and I’m so happy I got to participate in it.”
Nature Conservation program coordinator Mandy Polley said the waters off the coast of Gnarabup are incredibly diverse. “The reef here is part of the Great Southern Reef, a system of interconnected reefs that spans the southern coast of continental Australia and Tasmania,” she said. “We hope these dive slates will help inform people about the amazing biodiversity just off our beaches, and inspire them to be custodians for our coast and help protect it. Team Aquaholics should be so proud of what they have achieved with their project.”