Moreton Bay Online

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.