CONVERSATIONS 2023

Conversations are happening again, and this year we are back ‘On the Edge’!

The discussions will explore some of the key critical issues that affect the ocean, and the land, and how we as humans can live with both in harmony rather than depleting and destroying. A range of speakers including fishermen, scientists, ocean activists, farmers, chefs and Indigenous knowledge holders will challenge our way of seeing the world, and how we interact with the environment around us.

Our Ocean:

·      the current state of our ocean environment and its inhabitants with our local fishermen: Russell ‘Frosty’ Frost, Nick Polgeest, Markus Nolle

·      the Victorian Fisheries Authority together with Ocean Care, an affiliate group of the Southern Otway Landcare Network, will report on the project they are conducting in the Apollo Bay harbour to monitor pureulus (baby Southern Rock Lobsters) numbers: Dave Reilly, VFA; Ollie Kerr, SOLN

New developments in abalone:

·      Abalone processing and zero waste initiatives, Kaz Bartaska, Kansom Australia;

Ocean Science:

·      nature-based coastal defence solutions with Dr Rebecca Morris from Melbourne University’s Coastal and Estuarine Adaptation Lab

·      sea urchins and kelp forests with Dr Paul Carnell from Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab

·      3D habitat mapping of the Apollo Marine Park, including biodiversity assessment, and capacity building in Indigenous Sea Country management with Andy Warmbrunn, Southern Parks Australia, and Dr Adam Cardilini, Deakin University.

Protecting Sea Country:

The Otway Climate Emergency Action Network (OCEAN) report on proposed seismic testing in the Otway Basin, and the results of their protest actions.

Whale Dreaming and protecting Sea Country; Southern Right Whale birthing sites around the coast; Sea Country knowledge, medicine food from the ocean, and sacred sites that must be protected by us all

Ferals in the Otways:

·      monitoring and management of feral deer and pigs in the Otways: Dr Jack Pascoe, Conservation Ecology Centre, Cape Otway, Anthony Roe, Dama Dama Wild Harvested Venison, and Margie Drake, local farmer, GerangaMeat.

Eating the Problem:

How can we help reduce the numbers of pest species such as spiny sea urchins, feral deer and wakame in our oceans and forests by charging our consumer behaviour, food preferences and restaurant menus?

·      Chef’s panel discussing sea urchins, seaweed, eels, wild caught venison: Paul West, chef, gardener, broadcaster, River Cottage; Jerry Mai, Bia Hoi, Pho Nom; Julian Toussaint GRAZE; Matt Germanchis, Totti’s Lorne.

CONVERSATIONS ON THE EDGE (2018)

CONVERSATIONS IN THE LITTORAL ZONE (2019)